One of my guy friends told me that dating is like throwing a net to catch fish - it shouldn't be…read morelike spear fishing! So, that's what I did for this UYE - I sent out a ton of messages to Yelpers in the LA area to see who would want to meet in real life. Based on the premise that Yelpers are the best people in the world - adventurous, positive, open-minded, etc., these are the ones who were able to attend: New faces: Czarina Robert P. and his lovely wife Van D. Yuri "Old friends": Alana Carrie Dana Jennica Jennifer N. Kenzie Steve M. Stevo Tim C. Because of Van D.'s review of Media Noche, this restaurant was selected as the venue. We all were looking forward to the reasonably priced Sunday buffet ($16) and other items that we could order from the menu. I called from Hawaii to make our reservation, but somehow, they had forgotten and were scrambling to set up enough tables and chairs for us! Hahaha! It all worked out, eventually, and we all had a fantastic time! The food was yummy and the live music was festive! We didn't want it to end, so we continued on at Boba Tea Lounge, aka Da Aftah Pahtee... I just figured that everyone in LA has met each other already, but it seems like distance and life get in the way at times. Fate is an unusual thing. So, I was extra glad that LA Yeeps had a chance to meet each other, too! Bonus!! We have the same friends! If it's meant to be... Some day, our paths will cross and if we have not met yet, it may happen sooner than you think! On this Thanksgiving Eve, I am counting my blessings - one of them is Yelp, and another one is you!!! Mahalo for reading! Have a wonderful holiday season! Review #500

Aloha Media Noche!! Our favorite Hawaiian Yelper Nadine is in town and she came with much love!! It…read morewas like a hybrid of Halloween and Christmas because she gave us Hawaiian totes to fill with goodies!! Her luggage was as bottomless as Santa's magical sack! She spoiled us with seashell necklaces and flower clips in our hairs... not to mention fancy Aloha name tags that were RED!! Yay for Yelp colors!! Speaking of Yelp, she also gave us some Yelp gear O_O' This UYE felt like a close imitation of the real stuff :) Media Noche could have done better, but we did not let their insufficient management ruin our fun. Once tables and chairs were maneuvered all over the restaurant for us, we finally go about 4 tables put together for our group of foodies. The $16 brunch was great, aside from that inedible pork and the bitter tasting sad flan. I often find buffets to be so disappointing. I recommend their dinner over their brunch. So we after taking a bite of everything for the sake of our yelp reviews, we went off and took a million selfies. And some of us (not me) even pulled the waiter over for some selfies too! Always a good time with good company!! After Media Noche, a majority of the group went to Boba Tea Lounge where we took pictures of our drinks and attempted to fill a buy 10 get 1 free stamp card so Nadine can have a free drink from the group. XOXO!! And of course more selfies!! So good to fiiiiiiiiinally meet my favorite Hawaiian Yelper!! Saw some old yelp friends, finally met some long time yelp friends and lovely to meet those Yelpers you've heard of all the time but FINALLY met... Lol so complicated O_O Shout outs to **insert your name here** XOXO!!

Our hunger didn't simmer, for we ate like royalty!…read more Andy P organized a fun foodie family-style UYE at Simmer Huang in Temple City, the first ever Simmer Huang in the United States. The lucky few who were fortunate enough to attend were greeted to feasting as befitting an emperor. 1/2 of my fellow gourmand tablemates (Pam & Dora)- https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=EtRjJCxmAuSWQ7HRmU9XJg The first course came by way of palate-pleasing appetizers. Spicy noodle salad- https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=jczETJProapaAGc4RrsA9w Sweet, spicy & slippery in my palate, these were great to start. Steamed yam with blueberry compote- https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=DPdAab9Rghz5OgwYwRI0jA This dish seemed more apropos as dessert, as both the sweetness of the yam & especially the blueberry greatly juxtaposed the savoriness of the spicy noodle salad. Second course was the star of the show, the assorted meat & seafood simmer pot. Shrimp, beef & basa filet chunks on top of 10 vegetables. I wished the shrimp were brought out whole, as the head provides a ton of flavor. Not to mention, all those brains & head fat make for some good eating- https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=JF7uX9drFGuUBqspSFON4A Place the lid on top, and watch that baby simmer! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=3tWPn0l85MR4xwXYE6ufmQ Jojo was our chef par excellence, mixing the Simmer Huang sauce, which she then masterfully applied to our boiling cauldron of culinary excellence. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=pyqd4UkWeHVaQxBTHv-cqQ https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=L0rtN11wGOYQ5bE_aHS-Pg Noodles were brought out for us to zush into our simmer pots. My table asked for an extra serving, because we're pigs..........er, I mean, because we wanted to enhance the experience of enjoying Simmer Huang's assorted meat & seafood. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=4hElzKJDJFeqY5uAVQmEsg After eating awhile, more veggies were brought out, including broth, to transform our simmer pots into cauldrons of piping hot soup. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=mcS-qxLJhvuwFwNAItNkYg https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=0XMIqJ4dw5evqBwApmATEQ https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=QrdwaW9nJxps1GZwUqUMBw The soup was soothing & nourishing on a cold night. But, of the two preparations, I prefer the simmer pot, as adding broth diluted the strong flavors that came from the 10 vegetables & other ingredients. Congrats to the social media contest winners! Jubilant Gizelle with main man at Simmer Huang Temple City, Tongxin- https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=TDE5JP5mGjvu08GXDohV3g Another winner, who I forgot, won a prize for guessing which 10 vegetables went into our simmer pots. However, we all went home winners with coupons for a future visit to Simmer Huang. Unfortunately, I forgot mine on my table. Thanks to Tongxin & the entire staff at Simmer Huang. The quality of the food we were treated to was surpassed only by the excellent service we received by the employees And, thanks to Andy P. for organizing this event. I eagerly anticipate the next one. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/uye-fit-for-an-emperor-temple-city?select=LSompeXnRAWYdl460E5ZUg Excelsior!

A fun event highlighted by visits to five fabulous taco restaurants, including four in the city of…read moreWhittier and concluding in Hawaiian Gardens, promised a lot of good eating and a variety of excellent choices for all. The delicious tacos delivered as expected. The turnout of a fun, lively group was certainly a huge plus and made the event even more enjoyable. We dined at the following taco gems in order: #1 Arturo's Puffy Taco - Whittier, CA: http://www.yelp.com/biz/arturos-puffy-taco-whittier #2 Tacos Baja - Whittier, CA: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-baja-whittier #3 La Victoria Taqueria - Whittier, CA: http://www.yelp.com/biz/la-victoria-taqueria-whittier #4 Chema's Tacos - Whittier, CA: http://www.yelp.com/biz/chemas-tacos-whittier #5 Tacos San Pedro - Hawaiian Gardens, CA: http://www.yelp.com/biz/tacos-san-pedro-hawaiian-gardens All offered very tasty and a unique variety of choices of tacos. I believe the consensus favorite was the fish tacos from Tacos Baja, followed by the puffy tacos from Arturo's Puffy Taco and then the chicharron taco at La Victoria Taqueria. The idea to pick locations showcasing some of the most popular taco joints in Whittier, it appears, was a good choice. We thank Sarah A. for coming up with the idea and initially planning this event. My first one last year was much smaller but just as fun: http://www.yelp.com/biz/andrew-ks-taco-crawl-whittier#hrid:vWvfz3Lf_K8mTpCnejCHqA/src:self. But the combination of our two networks made for a bigger turnout. Friends who could not make it out this evening really missed out. And I encourage others to try out all five taco establishments and come with high expectations. They are some of the very best around. You just might one to try them one at a time.

This was a much needed night of socializing and good company! Five taco locations in a few…read morehours...can it really be done? If Sarah A. and Andrew K. are organizing this, then hell yeah! I've never really explored Whittier but the first four stops helped me get to know this town. One thing that I did not consider was the authenticity of these taco places. Thank goodness for Tacos Baja (taco stop #2) for having lardless beans! You meateaters make fun of me all you want, those beans paired with fresh avocado were damn delicious and quite filling :) Since my experience of this crawl is skewed from the norm, here's what I remember most about each stop: #1 - Arturo's Puffy Taco The meateater BF's friends saw his check in online and suspected that he was at a nudie bar. #2 - Tacos Baja Tasty free chiles that sneak up on you with its spiciness...YIKES! I had to eat a bunch of free radishes to cool down my burning mouth! Yummy beans :) #3 - La Victoria Taqueria Whoa, there's a lot of ambulances stopping next door! There's also a funny mural on the wall where a pig is cooking a chef. This is also where I took some very incriminating photos of Vince V. kissing a taco! #4 - Chema's Tacos I love all the optical illusions artwork on the wall including works by Octavio Ocampo. But dammit, this empty toy dispenser took 50 cents from my baller BF! Boo! http://bit.ly/KTHQfV Our last stop was a small trek down the 605 toward Hawaiian Gardens... #5 - Tacos San Pedro Yummy tamarindo! Free pickled carrots :) Ok, so maybe I wasn't as comatose full as the rest of you, but I was full! A vegan knows how to forage :) Besides, like I said before, I was there to socialize and it was nice to make new friends and catch up with friends I haven't seen in a while. A lot of great laughs were shared. So much so that I haven't laughed as hard as I did last night in a long time! You yelpers are fun people :) Thanks Sarah and Andrew for organizing this event and inviting us out for a fun night!

The ribs were better-than-expected the sauce was sweet but overall I like them, the sandwich didn't…read morelook very appetizing, it looked more like a burger but who am I to judge? The chicken strips were really good, the buffalo flavor was just perfect.

They now serve had liquor! Have more pool tables!…read moreAnd lower prices! This is the place to go on a cold night!!

I was denied entry at Mr Furley's on Magnolia because the doorman (Charlie) stated I needed…read more"paperwork" for my service animal. For clarity, my dog is a trained service animal. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, businesses are not allowed to require documentation or certification--only two specific questions are permitted. This was an unfortunate and avoidable situation that reflects a lack of proper staff training on service animal laws. I've reached out to management and hope they address this so it doesn't happen to others.

Wow what can I say. I do a lot of UYE. It is so amazing to meet new Elite Friends. They are liked…read moreminded and we love food. I usually do a UYE every month. Our Elite friends get together and chat away at some new restaurant or a specific type of food. We have a blast. It is a unique community that is so much fun. We even once went on a weekend trip to Lake Tahoe with our Elite friends. Such great memories and times. Happy eating. SYOY

I've had my fair share of Unofficial Yelp Events (UYEs)! Even more so when I first started Yelping…read moreback in my early 20s. 17 years later, you can probably guess my age. Heehee. OG yelp granny! Something special about UYEs are due to a more small, intimate setting. You can finally put that face in real life to that yelper you may be following for years or have been virtual friends with. Like-minded yelpers with similar passions get to connect and really get to know each other at these gatherings. Whether it's becoming lifelong friends or making memories with those near or far, it's always a positive and uplifting community and experience. A lot of work and coordination comes with organizing these events and each one I've been to have been so fun and worthwhile. From costume-themed events to breaking a sweat at a local gym/studio it never disappoints and I always have a blast! So many UYE highlights throughout the years and I'm thankful to those who I have come across and I look forward to meeting more yelpers aka friends in the future! Pardon my cheesy review, but had to represent!

For my first review of the New Year, I'm looking back to the singularly most epic Unofficial Yelp…read moreEvent I've yet attended. An event so special it warranted a Yelp page of its own. This page. It's the story of how I finally got my Breakfast Club Badge, a badge that had long eluded me. I have to start by telling you about my dear friend from the Honolulu Yelp community, Nadine C. Whenever Nadine is visiting Southern California, which is quite often, she organizes these insanely fun Unofficial Yelp Event get togethers. Yelpers come from far and wide, often driving well over an hour just to get in on the Fun and hang out with Nadine. I've been to quite a few of these special events and I've met so many really cool Yelpers. When we get together at these meet-ups, we all usually exchange small gifts with each other. In a way, I guess you could say it's kind of like a California version of the Japanese Omiyage custom practiced by many Hawaiians. I say that because the whole gift exchange thing started with the sweet little gifts that Nadine brings us from Hawaii. Always the most thoughtful little presents! At one of these events my friend Rose F from down in Covina brought these super cool Yelp Breakfast Badge Coffee Mugs she designed and had made as gifts for everyone. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to get that Breakfast Club Badge Coffee Mug! Woot woot! As I was celebrating this incredibly cool gift, I happened to mention that I hadn't actually earned the Breakfast Club Badge. As soon as Nadine heard me say I hadn't yet earned the Breakfast Club Badge, I mean within like 10 seconds, she came up with the plan. Right on the spot she announced that the next time she visited, our get together would be about getting me my Breakfast Club Badge. Someone suggested Millie's Cafe in Pasadena for the location. We quickly agreed Millie's would be perfect. Nadine immediately texted Hannah S from Monrovia and invited her to the event. Hannah said she was in. Before this I had never met Hannah and was super impressed that she would agree to help me get my badge. Right away Rose said she would come too! So wonderful and so appropriate because it was her gift of the Breakfast Club Badge mugs that got this ball rolling. I was blown away when my sweet friend Te-see B of Valley Glen piped up and said she would be there too. That was huge! Because if I know anything about Te-see, I know that she isn't a big fan of doing early morning meet -ups far from home. To come to this event she would have to get up hella early and drive a long ass way. Nevertheless, she said she'd be there. Me and Te-see are tight like that! While all this is being discussed, Nadine is texting invitations to Leilani M from Chino Hills and Pasadena's coolest Yelper, Sam B. Both said they'd try to make it. Impressive since I hadn't previously met either of these two Yelpers. But I'm telling you, it's very hard to turn down an invitation from Nadine C! As you can see from all the above, this whole UYE was nothing short of a Conspiracy! All these Yelpers coming together! Yelpers from hither and yon. All coming together to have fun with hanging out awhile with Nadine and to help me get my Breakfast Club Badge! Pretty damn cool! We met inside the restaurant. Hugs all around. Big Smiles. Gifts exchanged. We were seated at big table right in the middle of Millie's. I felt like I was the King of Pasadena. Everyone brought their personal Breakfast Club Badge Coffee Mug. Cheers to us all! Millie's turned out to be a great choice for our meet up. They were so accommodating. The service was exemplary. And the food was excellent. I had Eggs Benedict, something I usually only order on Special Occasions. Well, I'm telling you, this was a Special Occasion is there ever was one! As soon as everyone was seated we all checked in at the same time. Instantly my screen lit up with the notification I had earned the coveted Breakfast Club Badge. Just a short time after that, Sam arrived and checked in. She got her Breakfast Club Badge too. Huzzah! How cool is that? One event, Two Badges!!! It was a total rush! My head was spinning. I thought I would never get that badge. It's so ridiculously difficult to do. And I got it. I freaking got it! Earning this badge isn't something one can do on their own. It takes planning. It requires a coordinated effort. I could have never accomplished this goal without Nadine's help and the support of the amazing Yelp friends I've met at her wonderful events. So, let me start off this year by raising my Breakfast Club Badge mug and sending massive quantities of Yelp Love to the Impossibly Cool Nadine C of Kaneohe! Thank you, Nadine! You spread Aloha everywhere you go! And I'm sending heaps of Yelp Love to Rose, Te-see, Hannah, Leilani and Sam!! You guys are The Best! Thank you so much for helping me get my Breakfast Club Badge! Mikey C says: How lucky can one guy be?

Mikey's Breakfast Club Badge was our goal... And together,…read more we achieved it! The cherry on the top was: Sam got her Badge, too! It does take some work, and I'm so happy that Sam could get away from her job and check into the event before 9am! Last month, we decided that 7-11-24, Thursday, would be Mikey's Lucky Day! We would make his dream come true! It does take a village: ...because we all don't live in Pasadena, where we decided to meet. Some had to drive through LA traffic. Some drove far distances. Some had to wake up super early!!! (That's a feat in itself!) Despite all of the obstacles, we achieved this goal as a team! Good job, Te-See, Leilani, Hannah, Kayleen, Rose, and Mikey! We did it!!! Thank you! Thanks also for the goodies - also known as party favors or "omiyage" gifts in the Asian culture... That mug you made is extra special, Rose! We don't have the Yelp coaster in Hawaii, Te-See! The Cheerful Care Bear Hello Kitty looks like you, Sam! The Burt's Bees set is very useful, Mikey! Mahalo!

Let's be honest (and nice) here. This is the FIRST EVER Cookie Con! Like all "firsts", it's…read moreawkward, not perfect, slightly unorganized, and has TONS of room for improvement! But like all firsts, it was as good as it can be! I'm pretty much cookie wasted from the day! My suggestion to guests would be to get here later in the day...for example at 1:30pm since the crowd dies down around that time and there's still plenty of samples going around. I was lucky that I got there at 2pm with a good 3 hours to walk around (with ample space) and taste. All the vendors were adorable, creative, super friendly, and had great treats! There were shows, lessons, kits, accessories, photobooths, tons of samples, etc. Overall, I had a really fun time here! I'm definitely heading over to LA Cookie Con 2016 if they do it again next year....and i REALLY hope they do!! Hopefully they'll have it a bit more organized than this one. I also hope they could extend the hours as well as use more than 1 hall...more walking space would reduce the risk of fire hazards and accidents.

My first time at LA Cookie Con and I had a great experience. I came on Superbowl Sunday and the…read morelines weren't too bad overall. My friend and I were thankful for VIP tickets, which allowed us to get in 1 hour before general admission doors opened. However, VIP lines were already formed by the time we arrived. Although long, it moved quickly and we perused around all the booths. She's a veteran to the LA Cookie Con and knew exactly what to get in line for first, which was the ice cream/cookie truck. I was able to get 1/2 a cookie with a small sampling of ice cream. I actually got full from eating lots of sample from various booths. My top favorite would be the balloon lady, she took requests and made whatever balloon animal or thing you wanted. I requested for a cupcake headband. This was probably the longest wait, but so worth it! My other favorites included the tamales booth and the organic raw milk. $15 to park at the LA Convention parking structure. Overall, I had a great time!