Livin' La Dolce Vita at Yelp's Molto Italiano Masquerade!

East Bay Yelpers got to experience a new kind of "blind" date at Yelp's Molto Italiano Masquerade @ Caffe Venezia, where over 200 Elites donned mysterious masques for a late-night affair celebrating la dolce vita with sultry cocktails, robust wine, Fellini films, magic tricks, and of course...a savory, saucy Italian feast!

Caffe Venezia's authentic ambience was reminiscent of romantic evenings abroad for Jen C, who wore her wedding gown to this classy YEE. "It made me feel like I was back in Italy on my honeymoon," with a "big fountain in the center, colorful Italian houses with balconies painted around the restaurant, and an Italian movie playing on the wall. The clothesline with laundry hanging was a really fun touch!"
Guests were greeted with frosty mugs of Linden Street Brewery's Deep Roots Red ale, along with made-to-order cocktails compliments of GreenBar Collective's organic Ixa tequila and Solerno blood orange liqueur. Sarapo Family Wines provided classic Italian varietals grown in California, the perfect pairing for the ricotta & eggplant caponata crostini, wagyu beef and niman pork meatballs, and luscious scoops of amaretto and rum-soaked tiramisu from Caffe Venezia's kitchen. All this, provided by a staff that Troy M notes were "remarkably nimble and always smiling in a crowd that just perfectly filled the place," adding  "it's no easy task to wrangle that many Yelpers, let alone in such a gracious way."

Perugina's famous Baci chocolates was present with generous samples of their white and dark chocolate hazelnut truffles, while magician Johnny Kearns earned oohs and aahs from dazzled on-lookers. Using Caffe Venezia's fresco paintings as a backdrop, Snap Yourself photo booth kept Elites captivated all night with an array of props "for some great quick costume changes," tips Daphne B. 

"I truly felt like I was dining on the streets of Italy," Surge C attests, "from the clothesline to the painted cobblestones, and the beautiful fountain, everything was perfect for a masquerade evening." Audrey G was so inspired, she "even made a wish and tossed a coin into the fountain." We hope she wished for more Yelp Elite Events like this one...

Revel in the feathery photos by Photostudio29 and Snap Yourself here, and see what Elites are un-masking about this event on the review page.

Cin Cin per la bella vita!

Nique F

East Bay Mama Mia