Yelp Community Blog

Yelp Elite Event Soffwechsel

Am Donnerstag versammelte sich 30 der Yelp Elite zu einem außergewöhnlichen Event. Im Nymphe79 wird Weinverkauf und Modeoutlet unter einen Hut gebracht. Also wollten wir auch das Event so gestalten, dass Wein und Mode in Einklang gebracht werden. Und das hat wunderbar geklappt. In einem der beiden Räume wurde fleißig Wein verköstigt und geschlemmt. Ralph O, der Besitzer und reizende Gastgeber, hat persönlich die leckersten Tapas vorbereite und gekocht. Krabbentatar, Tintenfischsalat Octupussalat mit Koriandagrün, Maisbrötchen mit Chorizofüllung und Rissois, Taschen mit Krabbenfüllung, iberischer Käse, Schnittchen mit Tunfisch und Sardellenpastete, Entenleberpastete mit Orange, spanischer Serrano es fehlte einfach an nichts. Am wenigsten aber natürlich an leckerem Wein. Ein Poster in seinem Laden sagt, portugiesischer Wein sei eines der bestbehütetsten Geheimnisse Europas – und irgendwie haben sie damit recht. Wein aus Portugal ist wirklich unbekannt, aber jetzt wissen wir, wo wir ihn bekommen. Manche Sorte kam so gut an, dass die Leute direkt von der Probe, literweise mit nach Hause genommen haben. Sanneke R, die aus Amsterdam zu Besuch war, lässt ihn sich in Zukunft sogar nach Hause schicken.

 

Die Kombination aus Wein und Fotoshooting hat sich als der erwartete Glücksgriff erwiesen. Wo die Yelper anfangs noch etwas zurückhaltend waren und sich lieber am Buffet auslebten, verlagerte sich die zweite Hälfte des Abends in den anderen Raum, in dem ein kleines Fotoatelier aufgebaut war. Sofort war gute Stimmung im Raum und einige nutzten die Gelegenheit, sich von der Fotokünstlerin Sylvia Weiss professionell ablichten zu lassen. Dieter L, seines Zeichens selbst Fotograph, klingte sich mit ein. Einige nette Fotos, die er geschossen hat, hat er auch Yelp zur Verfügung gestellt. Anschauen könnt ihr euch alle Fotos hier. Karina, die an diesem Tag ihren Abschluss auf von der Make-Up Academy Munich machte, stylte die Frauen, nachdem sie sich ein individuelles Design von Gerdi Müller zusammengestellt hatten. Als dann auch noch die dreijährige Enkelin von Ralph O mitgemacht und zu posen begonnen hat, war es um die Zuschauer endgültig geschehen... Ein sehr netter Abend mit einem fröhlich gemischtem Publikum aller Alterklassen und die wohnliche Atmosphäre in der Nymphe79 tat das Übrige. Wer nachlesen oder schreiben will, wie es war, der kann das hier tun.

 

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On Thursday 30 Yelp Elites met for an extraordinary event which combined a wine tasting, fashion as well as a glamour shooting. The location was splitt into two sections. In one premises we held the wine tasting with delicious portugues wines. In the other premises our elite was able to try on crazy clothes and a professional make up artist from the make up academy munich was helping the yelpers with their styling for the shoot. Ralph O who is the owner of Nymphe79 as well as a great cook, whiped up great tapas.

He created a buffet of mouthwatering Tartare of crabs, octupus salat with coriander, bread rolls out of corn with chorizo filling, crab pie called RISSOIS, iberian cheese like Manchego, slices of tuna with pastry of anchovy, spanish serrano ham and a lot more delicious stuff... We were not missing anything. It was absoloutely delicious!

 

Apperantly portuguese wine is one of the greatest secrets of europe and we totally agree. Everybody was absolutely keen on tasting the different sorts of wine Ralph O presented that night. Some yelpers were so extremly fascinated by the wine that they bought bottles over bottles after the tasting. And fortunately we now know where to buy it in the future. Sanneke R, who visited Munich and joined the Elite event, even ordered bottles to get it send to Amsterdam.The combination of wine and photo shooting was just great. The first half of the evening the Yelpers kept tasting the different wines and enjoyed the mouthwatering buffet. But after a while more and more yelpers got encouraged  enough to use the chance and make some pictures with our professional photographer Sylvia Weiss. Dieter L joined her and took some great pictures as well as you can see on Flickr.

 

Karina who just graduated from the Make Up Academy Munich two hours before our elite event started, was supporting our photographer Sylvia with her excelent styling know-how and prettied our yelpers for the shoot. When Ralph´s three year old granddaughter joined the shooting the spirit totally reached it’s climax. The resume.. a great night with a well mixed audience of every age in a very warm atmosphere. Here you can read and write reviews about the event.

Per Yelp Milano Amore Fa Rima Con Vapore!

Incredibile apertura straordinaria, ieri sera, per il That's Vapore di Milano, locale nuovo, anzi nuovissimo, che per il suo primo mese di apertura (l'inaugurazione è stata lo scorso 21 dicembre) ha ospitato la community di Yelp per offrire in totale anteprima un assaggio delle sue prossime aperture serali, che avranno luogo da metà febbraio circa.

Bollicine e finger food per tutti nel foyer del ristorante, sotto gli sguardi divertiti dei passanti di Corso di Porta Vittoria, che sbirciavano i fortunati Elite dalla grande vetrata mentre partiva il primo gioco della serata: Instagram&Twitter party, con l'ambito premio finale di 2 biglietti per le otto ore di concerto di MI Ami Ancora a chi avesse scattato e postato con hashtag #yelpmilano e #thatsvapore l'immagine più bella e divertente della serata. Intanto, chiacchiere in relax insieme agli istrionici proprietari del locale, Filippo e Vanni, che hanno illustrato a tutti i vantaggi innegabili di una cucina completamente al vapore, dall'antipasto al dolce!

Arrivati tutti gli ospiti, la festa si è spostata al primo piano, nella grande balconata di legno e cristallo che si affaccia sulla cucina. Tutti a sedere perchè... arriva la cena! Assaggi e assaggini di ogni tipo di cibo, dai ravioli di zucca al petto d'anatra, passando per verdure, centrifugati, ovviamente serviti in deliziosi cestini, fino ad arrivare al meraviglioso dolce. Intanto, via al secondo gioco: gessetti alla mano e tanta creatività, perchè c'è un'intera parete di lavagna da ricoprire di idee, impressioni, frasi e disegni, e a fine serata Filippo ha deciso di premiare Marco S!

Prima di tornare tra le braccia della nebbia meneghina, incoronazione finale anche di Marta B per la sua bellissima foto di "ciò che resta del party" e di Paolo G, detentore del titolo di Re degli Elenchi, per le sue meravigliose liste di posti indimenticabili! Mi sono persa qualcosa? Vieni a raccontare la tua insieme agli altri, sul forum, e non perdere il prossimo evento!

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Extraordinary soiree for That's Vapore, a brand new restaurant in the center of Milan! It opened on December 2012 and hosted the community of Yelp Milano for its first dinner opening. Yelpers were cheered by Prosecco flutes and fingerfood in the restaurant foyer, a glass-walled open space not far from Duomo and Montenapoleone, and the first game started! The best photo of the party posted on Instagram and/or Twitter with hashtags #yelpmilano and #thatsvapore was that of Marta B, who won two tickets for the 8-hours concert MI Ami Ancora on Feb. 4th. In the meantime, everyone could chat with Filippo Cadeo, owner of the restaurant, who delighted us with steam based recipes from starter to desserts.

At 9 pm the party moved upstairs, on the great wood-and-crystal balcony, where everyone could taste all the best of That's Vapore cuisine, served in lovely mini-baskets, and take part in the second, exciting game: a whole wall was covered with a blackboard paint and, chalks in hands, all the people wrote, drawed and designed freely. Our host Filippo chose Marco S as the best! Special star of the party, Paolo G, who got the title of King of Lists, together with a wonderful Yelp T-Shirt. Want to know something more? Come on the talk thread!

Yelp Seattle's Eastside Elite Dinner @ Your Local Market!

Check out these lucky-loos! A select group of super stoked Seattle yelpers recently received their shiny new 2012 Elite Badges and well, you know what that means... It was time to hit up Yelp Seattle's first Elite Event of the 2012!

Kickin' it things off on the Eastside this January, Bellevue yelpers' bellies were stuffed with only the freshest and most fabulous food cooked right on-site at Your Local Market. 

We know what you're thinking... An event at a supermarket? But wait! This is far from your average event. And even farther from your average super market or big chain store. In fact, the fine folks at Your Local Market host monthly charitable events, wine tastings and more. Think of a place where dancing in the aisles isn't just allowed, it's encouraged! And that's exactly what we did.

As guests arrived they were greeted with the store's founders and key department managers, allowing for a fun face-to-face event.

Before taking a personal tour of the market and sampling a variety of locally made sausages, fresh-squeezed orange and grapefruit juices, and even locally made chocolates, each and every guest was treated to a complete 4 course dinner. Good thing we told 'em to come hungry!

With each course paired with a wine, Elite members enjoyed Beecher's famous gougeres, marinated olives and crab cakes with field greens. And we haven't even gotten to the main course yet! Big platters of housemade Coq Au Vin with buttered noodles and green Beans Amandine were prepared for everyone as well. Some servings were so big that most folks took home to-go boxes! 

Before their boxes were packed tight with awesome food there was yet another course of wine paired with enormous platters of dried fruits, nuts and artisan cheeses and crackers. 

But what's an event without a platter of gorgeous scratch-baked French macrons in a rich chocolate flavor and a passion fruit flavor?! 

Read the rave reviwes here! Haven't written yours yet? Don't forget to tell us what you thought!

Photos of the event can be found on our Official Yelp Flickr page. 
Until next time,

SYOY! 

Katy H - Yelp Seattle Senior Community Manager

 

Detroit Elite 2012 Kick Off at Claddagh Irish Pub!

This week 100 yelpers donned their best Irish duds and came out for the 2012 Yelp Elite kick off at Claddagh Irish Pub for our first ever sit-down feast! Elites and their guests were spoiled by their choice of 5 beverages including winter sangria, local Michigan beers like Shorts and Atwater Block, Magnus Irish cider on draft, and tasty cocktails made with Pinnacle cookie dough vodka and Bailey’s.

For eats guests were treated to a plate of savory samples like Irish meatballs, Bass Ale stuffed mushrooms, chicken pot pie, spinach and artichoke dip crostini, and tomato-mozzarella skewers. Once the savories were cleared we were treated to a sampler plate of desserts featuring chocolate ganache covered walnut squares, delicious profiteroles and bread pudding, and wrapping things up was a ”beautifully froth-topped Irish coffee” that Carole H loved.

 

If all the tasty food weren't enough, Claddagh also hooked it up with nearly a dozen giveaways to raffle off including a basket of goodies including a bottle of Jameson, hockey jerseys, Guinness hats and more. Yelp also put together two baskets of Irish goodies from the Twisted Shamrock, a local Irish shop, featuring football jerseys, barware, Irish stout cookbooks, and more for the winner and runner up of our best-dressed contest for the evening (congrats to Sam G and Peggy F). Also on hand was Tara of D-Shirts T-Shirts showing off her awesome Detroit Irish pride wares and raffling off shirts and shot glasses featuring her signature Olde English Tigers’ D shamrock designs.

 

Rounding out the night were some amazing acoustic Irish tunes from local performer Johnny Manning and going away gift bags featuring Claddagh merch like football scarves and t-shirts, Yelp schwag, and gift cards and coupons for return visits to Claddagh!

Many thanks to the amazing management and staff of Claddagh for putting together this fantastic evening that, as Kris A puts perfectly, “went above and beyond as well to make us all feel extremely welcome.” Thanks to Tara and D-Shirts for showing off her fantastic goods, Johnny Manning for providing lovely Irish tunes throughout the evening, Yelp Brand Ambassador Jordan G for helping out at the check-in table, and all our yelpers for coming and sharing this incredible evening with us. Check out all of the photos over on the Yelp flickr over here and you can check out the reviews (or write your own!) over yonder.

This was the perfect way to start of 2012 and I can’t wait to roll out more fun in the new year!

 

Until next time, SYOY! 

Annette J

Community Manager Detroit

Yelp Baltimore Elites Get Lei'ed!

Quicker than an "Aloha" could be exchanged, Yelp Baltimore's "Escape to the Tropics" at Roy's Restaurant set sail! Elites donned their best "Hawaiian chic" clothes and were off before they got through the door!

"The party was already getting started outside of Roy's with a fire dance demo. Freak'n awesome," says Jen L. "The fire dancer was also nice enough to let people take pictures with him!" 

  

Once inside, elites got lei'ed immediately. Some may have blushed, but few were bashful when Roy's followed up with a feast of Hawaiian fusion foodie fantasties - spare ribs with meat falling off the bone, mini crab cakes, veggie rolls, potstickers, and sushi galore! Derek I alone "shamelessly pounded about nine fried tuna rolls," while Nina U found herself "wishing for a bigger appetite" since "the food was delectable and there was no skimping. The servers encouraged people to take more..."

  

Mandarine Napoléon French Martinis, Roy's Original Hawaiian Martinis, Kona beers, and red and white wines were served to each guest throughout the night, no doubt making Elites' hula moves all the smoother once the performers turned their dancing into demos. "Who doesn't like a strong drink?" asks Hula Hoop Queen Sha T (who ultimately was one of the winners of Motor Trend Auto Show tickets thanks to her mad skillz).

                         

Shaking her hips like a pro, Noralyn T asserts the ladies "almost nailed it like professional hula dancers with their ocean wave and fishy dance. The men were not bad as well. They got the grunt and the warrior swing swagger down."

 

The night was enough to cure Elite Nina U's homesickness as well: "It's only been a couple months since my last vacation home to Hawaii, but I have been going through withdrawals and dreaming of the warm sunshine, blue skies and cool tropical breezes on the beach. Thank you for giving me a taste of home all the way on the East Coast."  

Happy to help... and speaking of "help": A very special THANK YOU to Yelp Baltimore Elite Kit H who photographed the night in a pinch! Mahalo!!!

As far at 2012, we're just warming up! More heat's ahead ;)

Elsa "Yes Coconuts Are Indeed Fabulous!" M.

Yelp Baltimore Community Manager

Spirit Fingers in the Air At Miami's Yelp High!

For some, high school was a glorious 4 years full of skipped classes, varsity football games, and running with the popular kids. For others, high school meant 4 awkward years or pimples, first kisses, and Revenge of the Nerds marathons. Regardless of their suppurlative, most popular or most-likely-to-succeed, Yelp Elites came together last night to celebrate a new alma mater: Yelp High.

Rather than filing into chemistry class, Elites strolled into South Beach's newly minted, Chalk: the shiny new empire of ping pong and billiard bombness. Over 150 yelpers showed up donning their most fabulous high school apparel. From gentle jocks to chic geeks, everyone got a glimpse into each other's high school years and competed across 6 ping pong tables and a handful of pool tables.

Meanwhile, I Love Pizza shared in the revelry with an endless smattering of variety pizzas. Their thin crust action proved just the thing for the notable Elites. To nurse their sweettooth, Sweetness Bakeshop shared thier sinful selection of cupcakes, including one that became quickly popular, the guayabera!

There to quench adult thirsts, L'Chaim Vodka and flipflop wines satiated all the parched partygoers while MiamiDJs4u got everyone's groovy thing shakin' with throwback hits from the 80s and 90s (and some 70s). To read about all the action, check out the reviews and to scope more of the fun had, don't miss the photos (thanks to Photobokeh).

Until next time, soulcats,

Monica S

Soirée Élite « Yelp est tout MTL! » à La Drinkerie

Mardi soir dernier, les Élites Yelp de Montréal se sont rassemblés à La Drinkerie pour le tout premier événement francophone en ville où « tous les ingrédients pour le parfait 5 à 7 étaient réunis! » Clotilde L et plusieurs autres Yelpeurs ont bien aimé ce « bar sympa dans le quartier hip » de la Petite Bourgogne.

Pour une soirée bien arrosée les invités ont étanchés leur soif avec des pintes de MTL Premium Lager et une variété de cocktails portants des noms des rues du quartier concoctés avec du Canadian Club et Jim Beam. Le coup de coeur de Marie-Josée C a été le St-Cunégonde, un mélange de Jim Beam, sirop de mangues et jus de lime et pommes.  

Tina C a adoré les hors d’oeuvres les canapés aux fromage de chèvres, poire et pacanes ainsi que les mini-burgers à l’agneau avec des oignon caramélisé et du cheddar vieilli. Bien d’ici, ces petites bouchées et plusieurs autres ont été préparées par Lindsay et Jackson de Fait Ici, le premier magasin général de Montréal qui se spécialise dans les produits biologiques et les articles confectionnés de façon durable au Québec.

Finalement, Rémi, un artiste graffiti a guidé les invités à créer une œuvre d’art totalement MTL qui colorera les murs de La Drinkerie pendant les mois sombres de l’hiver. Dustin G a gagné la toile à la suite d’un tirage qui a permis de ramasser plus de 150 $ pour le Café Graffiti, un organisme à but non lucratif qui supporte des gens dans le besoin via entre autre des ateliers de hip-hop, de break dancing et d’art graffiti.

Un merci bien spécial à Maxim C pour les jolies photos de l’événement. Vous pouvez en voir encore plus via Flickr. Vous pouvez aussi jaser de la merveilleuse soirée sur le Chat et lire les avis complets ici.

D’ici la prochaine fois, on s’revoit sur Yelp! 

Marie-Pier « dans ta paupière, y’a de l’eau pis de la bière » R
Chef de communauté, Yelp Montréal

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In English please?

Last Tuesday evening, Montreal’s Yelp Elites gathered at La Drinkerie for the city’s very first francophone event where all the ingredients for the perfect 5 à 7 were united! For many Yelpers like Janine T, it was their first time in this cool and hip bar of Little Burgundy.

For a well-lubricated evening, guests quenched their thirst with pints of MTL Premium Lager and a variety of cocktails all named after streets of the neighbourhood made with Canadian Club and Jim Beam. The booze being plentiful, Matthew P spent the evening ordering his favourite, « another Bim Jean.... »

Tina C found the « finger food delish, especially the sliders and the chèvre canapés. » Made here, the hors d’œuvre were prepared by Lindsay and Jackson of Fait Ici, Montreal’s first general store specializing in organic and responsibly produced products mainly from Quebec.

Finally, Rémi, a graffiti artist invited guests to create a painting that is all MTL. It will adorn the walls of La Drinkerie to add a bit of colour during the dark winter months. Dustin G will then be the proud owner of the painting. He won a raffle that allowed Montreal yelpers to raise over $150 for Café Graffiti, a non-profit that supports people in need through various activities such as hip-hop, break-dancing and graffiti art workshops.

A special thank you also to Maxim C for the beautiful pictures of the event. You can see these and more on Flickr. Come on over and chat about the event on Talk and read full reviews here.
Until next time, on s’revoit sur Yelp! 

Marie-Pier « dans ta paupière, y’a de l’eau pis de la bière » R
Community Manager, Yelp Montréal

 

The Yelp Elite Kick Off 2012 @ The 1933 Lounge

The Yelp Indy Elite Squad kicked off 2012 in high-style at The 1933 Lounge. Let's let The Elite Squad and the photos tell the rest of the story....

Jonathan M "J-Mac" says, "This event was off the charts. Sun King Osiris Pale Ale as I walk in the door...  check. Open bar for 2 hours... check. World famous St Elmo's shrimp cocktail... hell yea. Free filet mignon sliders... are you kidding me? Exclusive Sun King Bourbon Barrel Aged Sunlight cream ale tapping... okay, this is ridiculous."

Kahrma D details the drinks: "The house special Elmo Cola arrived with a small glass bottle of Coke, a rocks glass filled with vanilla bean bourbon, & delicious skewered, bourbon soaked drunken cherries. We were all treated to a special tapping of a not-yet-available-to-the-public variety of Sun King."

Erin J "loved seeing all the interpretations of the theme" of red bow ties!

Kara P sums it up: "Yelp, Sun King, and The St. Elmo 1933 Lounge? I cannot think of a more perfect combination." Word.

Peep the 5-Star reviews here & all the 5-Star SolarFlarePhotos here!

SYOY!

Jon A & Team Elite Ginger!

 

 

Dancing with the LA West Elite Yelpers at Tra di Noi Focacceria in Beverly Hills

They came, they danced they conquered! There is no better place to dance like a star than in Beverly Hills, home to many stars. The LA West Elite squad dressed in their finest and came out to the brand new Tra di Noi Focacceria, home to Chef Francesco Valesco.

It was a feast for the eyes and the stomach! Filet mignon was served with gorgonzola crumbles and purple potatoes. Prosciutto pizza was a crowd pleaser as was the homemade onion focaccia. A delicate beet salad and thinly sliced tuna carpaccio spoiled us all while tender short ribs had us getting our hands dirty! Chef Francesco was more than enthusiastic about serving and cooking just a foot a away in the open kitchen. Shannan M says it all: "Tra di Noi Focacceria was a fantastic place to hold our first gathering of the year. The food was amazing - and there was SO much of it!! So many delicious offerings - from ribs to octopus, fancy grilled cheese, pizza...the list goes on and on. Thank you Chef Franceso Velasco - you did a wonderful job!"

Meanwhile ginger mules from tequila raised the spirits and helped everyone move more easily on the dance floor.

Arthur Murray's dancers showed us all some new techniques that will have us killing on the dance floor for years to come. They got more than a few "ooo's and ahh's" as they skillfully paraded around the floor and offered a deal to good to be true at the end of the night just for yelpers: $39 for two private lessons, 1 group and 1 dance class.

The highlight of the night was the dance competition. After teaching a lesson, the Arthur Murray instructors judged the yelpers - the winning pairs received a $1,000 truffle dinner for Valentines Day at Tra Di Noi prepared by Chef Francesco!

Three very unique and local wines went down nicely: Semler and Saddlerock wines, Rosenthal wines and Mora Estate wines.

What is a dance with out desserts? Pastries by Edie made sure not a sweet tooth left unattended! The selection of pastries was vast including white chocolate mousse, cheesecake, millefuille, and many, many more! As Sarah W shares: "Please bring back the desserts by Edie's Pastries! They were extremely generous with their dozen+ offerings that made me feel like I was in a top chef desserts tasting competition..hehe."

Our friends at PictureHealing captured every moment per their usual and our DJ from Forever Tomorrow made sure no one missed a beat!

Until next time,

SYOY

Brittany B

LA West Community Manager

South Bay-Peninsula Elites Celebrate in Casual Style @ Sonoma Chicken

The South Bay-Peninsula Elite Squad celebrated their first Yelp Elite Event of 2012 at Sonoma Chicken, located in Campbell. As the name indicates, this local favorite is known for serving up delicious bird in a casual atmosphere, perfect for a cold, rainy Monday night in the South Bay.

   

Upon arriving to the venue, Elites and their +1's were greeted by the lovely Courtney M, who helped check everyone in and gave away Yelp Elite watches, the coveted digital gift for everyone on the Squad. Once inside, there was a giant tower of red velvet, Oreo and carrot cupcakes provided by Frost, which yelper Denise L described as "bites of heaven." Hey, why not start with a dessert? For those that weren't big on sweets, Sonoma Chicken had a never-ending buffet of homestyle food to choose from, including their famous rotisserie-style chicken, pasta, green beans, mashed potatoes, apple salad and foccacia bread. As Jessica J said, "Sonoma Chicken Coop DID US RIGHT!"

Campbell Brewing Company had plenty of their in-house beer for guests to sample, includinHefeweizen, Porter and Starbock. Not to be outdone, Pisco Porton mixed up a batch of 1684 punch, an original recipe that incorporated St. Germain, agave nectar, St. Germain and sweet red grapes. "Such a refreshing libation! cheered Cat V. Also on hand was Coterie Cellars, a local winery, pouring their Pinot Noir, Syrah and Roussane, their signature unconventional white wine that won the hearts of many guests. 

If eating and drinking themselves silly wasn't enough, Elites also played Yelp-O, our own little version of Bingo. It was an opportunity for everyone to socialize with yelpers that they may not already know. Plus, winners received custom Yelp pint glasses, perfect for Campbell Brewing Company's beer or just to take home and use later :) Margo G said it best about the activity: "I liked this game because it forced people to mingle which doesn't tend to happen all the time. I met new people, got reacquantited with others and had an all around good time." Couldn't have said it better ourselves, Margo!

 

Read all of the 5-star reviews here and the event pics on Flickr. More good times to come for the South Bay-Peninsula Elites. Until then, SYOY!

 

Abby S, Community Manager

Soirée Elite Yelp Marseille à la Ferme @ Boudiou

C'est avec des bottes de campagne que Julie M a accueilli les Yelpeurs Marseillais mardi 24 janvier de 19h à 21h chez Boudiou. Une soirée qui sentait bon la nature avec ses produits bio et locaux, sa paille et ses belles fleurs. Près de quarante Yelpeurs ont ainsi découvert ce restaurant de midi ouvert en octobre 2011. "Un petit lieu très sympa découvert grâce à la soirée Yelp !" se réjouit Agathe M.

 

Pour certains comme Aurélia D c'était une grande première "en venant, j'avais peur d'arriver sans connaître personne. Je pensais rester 10 min... J'ai eu droit à ma petite étiquette délivrée par une hôtesse en couettes et bottes en caoutchouc ! Il y avait plein de gens sympa et mes 10 min se sont transformées en 100 min ! Donc si je résume, le buffet était bon, les boissons étaient bonnes, l'ambiance était bonne et on repart avec des cadeaux en plus". Et oui c'est l'esprit des soirées élite Yelp : de la convivialité, des rencontres et des découvertes !

     

Au rayon des découvertes, les salades, les sandwiches, de l’excellent fromage et la délicieuse compote de pommes ont étonné les Yelpeurs. "Merci à Florent de Boudiou et à Sébastien de Terroirbio13.com qui mettent en valeur les productions des agriculteurs de nos régions ! Je reviendrai chez Boudiou pour remanger de la succulente salade topinambours/navets (si si je vous assure, c'est vraiment succulent !)". Adeline G elle-même très portée sur le Bio était ravie de déguster ces bons produits ! Bien qu'il n'ait pas pu venir en tenue de fermier, Edouard B souligne non sans humour l'ingéniosité du concept de Terroirbio13 découvert lors de la soirée "le panier bio sans radis noir systématique !!"

     

On ne peut pas manger sans boire et Aurélia D qui n'a pas tari d'éloge sur la soirée s'est exclamé "Quel délice ces jus de fruits ! Et le vin blanc : j'ai A-DO-RE. J'ai rarement bu un vin aussi goûteux". De bons produits que Boudiou a fait goûter aux Yelpers ! Le décor était d'autant plus champêtre que Yannick Fleuriste nous avait préparé un bouquet magistral avec des lys et du mimosa, et grâce au Centre Equestre Pastré, il y avait de la paille que le vent nous a empêché de disperser sur le trottoir.

Les Yelpeurs ont profité de l'espace de Boudiou et de son petit patio, très joli et bien à l'abri des raffales de Mistral. En partant chacun a été doté d'un cadeau grâce à Yelp mais aussi à Sébastien de Terroirbio13 et Noura N n’est pas restée indifférente : "aah ils assurent chez Boudiou , c'est beau et c'est tout bon ! Et de plus Yelp nous a offert le sac de courses et Terroirbio13 les pommes qui vont avec, si c'est c'est pas la grande classe !"

     

En conclusion pour cette 5e soirée Elite, les Yelpeurs Marseillais se sont bien amusé et se sont délecté des préparations de Boudiou. "La soirée était également réussie grâce au photocall Yelp/Boudiou, à l'ambiance des Yelpeurs, aux nouvelles têtes rencontrée" renchérit Alexia Z ! La suite au prochain épisode...

Les photo c'est ici (Merci Xavier S)et les avis par là ! 

ABSY ! 

Julie M 


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Organic food, boring? Not for the yelpers of Marseille! Boudiou is the name of this new restaurant that hosted the party, but it’s also a typical word meaning “good God” used in the country side. And that’s where almost 40 Yelpers were: in the country side in downtown Marseille!

“Wear your Wellingtons,” was the slogan of the party. And while Edouard B was sorry he left his boots at home, he found “the food, perfect, the wine, perfect, the atmosphere, perfect” and promised to come back to “try Boudiou on a daily basis”. Yelpers came to discover this brand new place and taste their salads and sandwiches. “I’ll come back to have some turnip/Jerusalem artichoke salad again (very good indeed). Thanks to Florent from Boudiou and to Sébastien from Terroirbio13, they highlight local producers,” said Adeline G.

For those who came to an elite event for the first time, they felt at home right away. “I was scared because I don’t really like when I don’t know anyone. I expected to stay 10 minutes but the people I met were so cool, my 10 minutes became 100 minutes !” said Aurélia D of the warm welcome. Wine, fruit juice, sandwiches, cheese, salad it was all so tasty, Noura N was excited to “get a Yelp shopping bag and some delicious apples to put inside from Terroirbio13.com? That’s awesome!”

Terroirbio13 is a Boudiou’s supplier but it is also an organic shop online that works with local producers. Agathe M is now happy she can have her “organic basket but no subscription needed, and a real choice on what you get”. YAY ! It’s kind of new around here. The setting was topped with straw from the Centre Equestre Pastré and beautiful flowers from Yannick Fleuriste. The smell, the taste, the colors... yes, yesterday night we were at the farm !

        

Pictures (by Xavier S) are here and reviews are there ! 

SYSOY !

Julie M

 

Pittsburgh Welcomes 2012 Elites Into The Family!

Yelp Pittsburgh kicked off 2012 the right way with the Welcome to Yelp's la Famiglia Elite Event at Lidia's in the Strip District of Pittsburgh. Elite's were treated to a special experience at one of only two unique restaurants from chef Lidia Bastianich in the country! We held true to her signature line: “Tutti a tavola a mangiare!” which means “Everybody to the table to eat!”

"I'm ashamed to say that I'd never been to Lidia's before. As soon as I walked in I was taken by how romantic and beautiful the main dining space was with the high ceiling and blown glass chandlers. Was this Pittsburgh, New york or Las Vegas?" exclaims Tim W. Elites were whisked upstairs to an intimate dining space where they were able to nosh on Prosciutto Bruschetta topped with fig jam and San Daniele Prosciutto, Sfogliatina which is a baked ricotta pastry filled with Montasio cheese and red pepper, red onion, and zucchin, Polipo Potato Crostini which is Octopus with Warm Potato, Gaeta Olives and Caper and Citrus-Honey Goat Cheese Crostini with Apple.

The real treat of the evening was when "Chef Jeremy Voytish gave us a blurb about everything they prepared and the only question he got was what the trio was today. Shortly after, they announced that they'd be passing out a sampling of the day's trio for everyone," and Jarrett H was happy to report back that, "it lived up to the hype." The popular Pasta Tasting Trio of the day was hand made mushroom ravioli in a thyme butter, fresh fettuccine in a walnut pesto and imported Italian orecchiette with sausage and onion. Even avid mushroom hater Lauren G was magically made a fan! "I have a rule amongst my 2 roommates. There is to be no cooking of mushrooms in the house. I despise them. So why then, did I favor the Mushroom Ravioli? How did they do it? I'll tell you how... they are amazing."

The dinner can't be complete with Italy's favorite pastime, wine drinking! Guests were able to sample Montepulciano D'Abruzzo red wine and a fantastic variety of beers provided by Tony Savatt Beer Distributer. Lauren C is "a huge fan of wheat ales so I was really pleased that Wittekerke was being served and there were no drink tickets, which is always a plus!" Bravissimo!

A big thank you to Lidia's Sales and Marketing Manager Cristina Valasek and the amazing staff at Lidia's for treating Yelpers just like family! Also, thanks to Ray Miles Photography for the fab photo's that you can check out here.

If you want to catch more of the event buzz, hop over to the event listing to read all about the excitement from your fellow yelpers.

Italian through and through,

Rachel C

Pittsburgh Community Manager

 

 

East Bay Elites Trade Their Baubles for Bubbles @ Toast Wine Lounge!

It was more than coincidental that after a long weekend of stormy weather, the skies parted on Monday night to make way for a mass of elegantly attired Elites, primped for Yelp's Bubbles & Baubles @ Toast Wine Lounge. Nearly 100 East Bay Elites threw on their cocktail party best and cleaned out their closets for Dress for Success, a nonprofit organization that assists disadvantaged women by providing professional attire and accessories to help them thrive in work and life. While the skies were clear, the only thing dry about this evening was the pavement outside, with over 16 wines of the effervescent and still variety flowing throughout the night. 

"The array of wines served from the Anderson Valley Wine Growers Association were some of the best whites I've ever tried," raved Akvile H. "I am more of a red wine aficionado, however after tonight, I have a feeling I may be drinking more whites!" The bottle line-up read like a who's who of Alsatian varietals producers, with Breggo, Navarro, Londer, Handley, Lawson's, Roaring Meg, Spy Valley, Envoy, Astrolabe, and Scharfenberger all pouring zesty sips of Reisling, Pinot Gris, and Gewurztraminer, and Troy M confirmed "the servers and sponsors held down the flow of food and wine so well that it seemed you couldn't stay without either for more than a minute!"

Toast owners Kristen and Heather kept the flutes filled with a special selection of bubbles from Torley Winery in Hungary and a Catalonian Cava from Vega Barcelona. Jeffrey S praised the Torley, remarking "this sparking wine was smooth and fruity; like drinking liquid sugar, a delight for this sweet tooth.  I know I'll be looking forward to searching for this vintage soon!"

The plethora of vino was a mere interlude for the parade of small bites from Toast's head chef, Peter Jackson. Diana V admits the taste of parmesan nuggets with truffle honey "is still dancing on my tongue," while the aroma from the Coca toasts with wild mushrooms, arugula, and mezzo secco was "a bit of smokey heaven" for Sandyann G. And the crispy boucherie bacon with meyer lemon confit on toasted La Farine bread? "Had me at first bite," she swoons. Peruvian scallop ceviche with key lime, serrano chile and cilantro was a pescetarian delight for Anne K who's now "convinced to come back and try Toast" on her own.

In between bites, Elites huddled around the rustic wood tables where Blue Orange had set up a slew of locally-designed and manufactured board games like Fast Track, Gobblet and Analyze Me. Jenn N is vying for her own Fast Trak board, exclaiming "all the games were fun, but this one captured my heart. If you heard random cheering and victory shouts around the room, this was the instigator."

Just when Elites thought the indulgence was waning, out came the trays of Boca Negra flourless chocolate cake on thin almond crisps and persimmon pudding with cloudy crowns of whipped cream. Lara W put her adoration simply, saying "I have yet to meet a flourless cake I like more," while the spicy persimmon pudding was Amy J's "favourite dessert" of the night.

No Elite event would be complete without some delicious prizes, and tuxedo-clad Bill B walked away with an Oakland Restaurant Week gift certificate for The Paragon Restaurant & Bar, for his exemplary costumed status, while Akvile H showed off her Twitter savvy in AV Wine's "Tasting Note Tweets" contest, and scored a pair of tickets to the Alsace Varietals Festival. Another excuse to drain...er, raise her glass!

The evening concluded with a car full of Dress for Success donations, Elites all abuzz from the endless indulgences, and a warm, fuzzy glow from the fresh friendships made over bubbles, bites and board games. "What a warm and toasty respite from the cold outside," Joanna M cooed. "I hope we all huddle again soon. Til then I'll be hunkering down at Toast with a glass or two!"

Read all the raves here, peep the pics from photographer David Butow here, and tag yourselves here!

Bubbling with delight,

Nique F

East Bay Community Manager

 

 

Charlotte Elites Have A Roaring Good Time!

The lights were dim, the beer was flowing and the Charlotte Elites loved the cards they were dealt at Yelp's Roaring Good Time! With a stunning partnership between Harvest Moon Grille & The Dunhill Hotel, there was no prohibiting of fun times.

Elites were able to sample plenty of locally sourced eats, created by the brilliant chefs at Harvest Moon Grille. Lite bites like chrorizo sliders, scratch made biscuits, crudite, and carved turkey were big hits with the hungry guests. Chad E really dug the "carving station – what an awesome way to hang and check out what was going on below!" 

To wash down all those tasty bites, Elites sipped on New Castle's Winter Ale, courtesy of the fine folks at Carolina Premium Beverage. Will H says the New Castle was his highlight of the night, "Light but chock full of malt and toast notes in the finish. Seriously enjoyable!" For those seeking a grape opporunity, Salmon Creek delighted palates with chardonnay and cabernet.

The 1929-built Dunhill provided a gorgeous backdrop for a myriad of prohibition era goodies like our very own Yelp "cigarette" girls and two Blackjack tables! Annie and Brittany worked the rooms and offered everthing from Yelp playing cards to candy cigarettes to chocolate cigars! Shauna H quips, "FYI those cigarettes are just as tasty as an adult! While I did not gamble, my guests did and had a great time ...$70,000 is a lot easier to lose when it's fake!"

And it wouldn't be a fantastic event without the shutterbug we all know and love, Ms. Tonya P of Poprock Photography. To check out all the snaps from the event, visit the Yelp Charlotte Flickr page! To learn who really flipped the odds on the house and which Elite was snacking on biscuits all night, head to the official event page and share your review!

Until next time, you stay classy, Charlotte!

 

-Nicole W.

Yelp Sacramento Goes Mad For Men, Women And Martinis

Dapper dudes and dashing dames gathered for a truly intimate elite affair at Land Ocean New American Steakhouse on Monday night. This upscale bastion of classiness reminds us of the sultry early 60's, so it was only appropriate that elites and their guests dressed up in suits and dresses reminiscent of the styles on the popular TV show Mad Men!


You hear a lot of people talk about how much better service was in the good ol' days. As yelpers attest in their reviews, the service here was as good if not better than any place the boys at Sterling Cooper frequent. Guests lounged at candlelit tables in a special reserved area where they were waited on by Land Ocean staff and had free reign to a private room filled with plentiful hot small bites. As Carol P explains: "The staff at Land Ocean were extremely nice and professional. They made everyone feel comfortable and were very attentive. It was an intimate elite event to start off 2012, and the folks here totally delivered. With style."


That delivery came in many forms, including food (kobe beef sliders, tempura tiger prawns with coconut butter sauce, beef wellingtons, southwestern egg rolls, garlic cheese bread, BBQ chicken sliders, pork sliders and fresh, homemade potato chips) and drinks (Jade Mountain Chardonnay, Casa Lapostolle Cabernet, Lockdown Powerhouse Pale Ale). Perhaps the highlight of the drink selection was the one Don Draper himself would probably have enjoyed, the Special K Pomegranate Martini. "The pomegranate martinis were excellent!" raves Tiffany K. "And just think of all those antioxidants you get with it. In fact, this will be my new health drink."


The atmosphere was captured in lovely pictures by the always professional Melissa Uroff Millner. Of course, we'll let the reviews speak for themselves. "This was probably my most favorite Yelp Elite Event ever," confessed Darina H. "Land Ocean was right on the dot when it came to ambiance and service!"

Stay Classy Sacramento,



Alex L
Community Manager and Martini Lover