What makes an establishment like the Adelphi Hotel host a Yelp Elite event? Maybe they're doing it…read moreout of the goodness of their heart. Perhaps it's due to the persuasive powers of our Ambassador, Daniel B. But I think at least some of the motive is a hope we'll enjoy the evening so much we'll tell our friends and come back when the meter is running and give it a great review. (Since we can't review the restaurants themselves at the event but only the event itself, and nobody's going to see the reviews unless they check our profiles or troll through the Recents.) If that is the case, the Adelphi is going to get paid back in spades, at least by me. I know these establishments pretty well as a Saratoga local, but the prices are a bit high to put them in my regular rotation. Now, I can't wait to get back and have more of those enormous scallops swaddled in bacon at Salt & Char, or that pillow-soft salmon with the crackly crisp skin at Blue Hen, or that Dr. Pepper cocktail at Morrissey's. I also need to drink more of the very excellent house wines at the Blue Hen, like the unoaked Chard in the silver bottle or the oddly leathery Pinot Grigio. And figure out what Chef Chris is doing with the carrots that appeared as the base of several of the Blue Hen items to make them seem so delicious and exotic. Well done, Adelphi.

A five star review for a five star event at a five star venue…read more Over the course of two hours we were able to sample each of the Aldephi's three restaurants. A major undertaking for the restaurants and hotel staff. I was impressed with how well timed each dish was and that's to say nothing of the quality of the food. Each portion was just enough to really get a taste for what each of the restaurants had to offer, but not overwhelm the guests with so much food that we didn't enjoy the later offerings. The proteins, which included salmon, duck, and beef, were all prepared very well and each included a unique preparation method or flavor profile giving it an exciting flair. For example, in Salt and Char the strip steak was dry aged in a special salt cellar I believe, giving it a taste quite different than most other steaks I've tasted. A more complex and savory flavor that paired well with the buttery hollandaise sauce. As a non-drinker, I asked for a Shirley Temple at the bar and was amazed at the quality of maraschino cherries. I didn't get a chance to ask, but I suspect they make their own. I can honestly say I've never ever felt compelled to write about a drink so basic, but this alone warrants a mention.

My very first Official Yelp Event I attended was a success. I was surprised that Yelp doesn't have…read moremore official Yelp event at more non-pubs such as this one - in the place of a small coffee shop in my town. Although I was astounded that only a small group of about 5 reviewers came, I know from hearing that this area is quite harder to get stuff from if the company seems to mention the name Yelp. Having known Bill from having followed him for years and having friended him shortly after he became the Yelp Poughkeepsie Ambassador, I recognized him the second I got there and yelled to him "Hey Bill", when I arrived. (If you've seen him in his profile picture like I did, it felt like I had known him for years without too much change in facial profile. He seemed to take things rather easily once I got there. He told me to get the free swag, I was almost forced to check in (which I did), but my cloddy fingers and the fact that my iPad and app was messing me up to check in really put a damper on things. I was amazed that Bill didn't ask several of the others to check in and gave them there stuff without even asking about checking in. That was so unfair - a simple audible reminder to them saying "please check in would have helped ( you wouldn't have needed to go the extra mile there). On top of the sport jug and Yelp mint freebies swag he had after checking in, We small talked to the end without too much focus on Yelp (with a few exceptions). I was glad to get to know more about those reviewers I review with and realize that there is really a face and voice behind the name and location. If only things weren't set so much in bars, I'd be to this stuff more often. Perhaps an occasional non-pub event could be held yearly or quarterly.

From the owner: This is the page for Yelp Poughkeepsie's Official Yelp Event: A Sweet Start To Summer, on 6/21 in…read moreRed Hook, NY.