I was just at Whole Foods a few weeks ago and boy did they transform that space to make way for…read moreTaylor Lane (formerly known as Taylor Maid.) I was headed to work and running a bit late so I didn't have as much time to chat as I would have liked. (Namely I wonder what happened to the original café spot in Whole Foods? Will they simply be doing the smoothies now? Moving on. ) I took the barista's recommendation for a lavender latte to go along with the avocado toast. It was beautiful and crafted expertly but boy oh boy lavender lattes will never be repeated by me. Sooo not my thing. Hahha. I love the coffee and espresso by Taylor Lane so I'll just order differently next time. Speaking of NEXT TIME - I look forward to another avocado toast and plan to be enjoying that soon! I never really got into the trend of avocado toast but clearly I didn't know what I was missing. The bread was toasted perfectly - crisped on the edge but soft inside. The guacamole was creamy and flavorful and balanced perfectly with the lemon and sesame Adding to it all, micro basil and a drizzle of olive oil. HEAVEN. Great addition!!!

Stopped in today with a Yelp Party Pass for a morning treat. When I first walked into the Whole…read moreFoods store, I completely missed seeing the location of the coffee bar. It's not marked too well. By the time I toured the entire store and made my way back to where I started, there it was relocated next to the front door! I ordered the avocado toast which is served on a Red Bird Bakery thick slice of yummy wheat bread. The avocado spread was lemony and bright, topped with sesame seeds and sprouts. It was quite good. I ordered an Americano coffee drink, and there was really too much water mixed with the shot of espresso. The two gals that were serving were both very friendly and quick. It's a nice set up and they also have Red Bird pastries too! I really love this Whole Foods store and Taylor Lane is a great addition!

First and foremost, I must thank our fearless leader of the North Bay Elite Squad Kevin B. for…read moregraciouly arranging an outstanding mini getway to Bodega Bay Lodge for us Elites and +1's. This was the ultimate destination for some R&R! Hubby and I used to frequent Bodega Bay while dating; we would make the trek to Dillon and Doran Beach, while making a pit stop at the US Coast Guard training facility at Two Rock when he was active military. We chose the perfect Labor Day weekend to enjoy this beautiful setting without it being scorching hot. As we entered the luscious grounds of the immaculate Bodega Bay Lodge, we were welcomed with warmth and stellar hospitality. The front desk (Maria) had us checked-in already and before we knew it, our luxurious room was ready for occupancy. The room is spacious with sweeping views of the ocean. Make use of the in-room binoculars provided, as you can see Doran Beach, horseback riders, and kitesurfers. The only sounds you will hear from the outside are birds chirping and seals barking. The early evening pampering began with a wine and cheese reception. The lovely Katie poured endless wines of Pinot Noir, Cab, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio from Salmon Creek, which all paired well with red grapes and a variety of cheeses. The ambiance was extremely inviting; however, we had to head back to our rooms to experience our couples massage in the privacy of our guestroom, overlooking the water. To our amazement, we opened the door to see a beautifully decorated platter of cheese, fruit, crackers, and nuts with a card in addition to a bottle of Syrah and wine glasses - voila, surprise!!! Jessica and Daniella arrived promptly to setup our massage beds. I highly recommend the warm shell massage with either one of these two spectacular masseuses, as they enhance, revitalize, and rejuvenate with perfect intensity, and knead away your tense muscles using oils (scented or non-scented), transporting one to a whole new destination of peace and serenity. The height of our evening was dinner at the Duck Club Restaurant. Our hostess Katie from the wine & cheese reception also waited on us - impeccable service. We brought our Estate bottled Wente Cabernet Sauvignon to be opened on this special occasion. Since we had already glanced at their menu during reception, we knew what we wanted. For starters, hubby had fog chowder, while we shared dungeness crabcakes cooked to perfection, really fell in love with the tomato ginger chutney. I also enjoyed three Rockefeller oysters. Hubby ordered the "blue & black" grilled angus rib-eye steak, blackening with spice rubbed, Point Reyes Blue Butter, haricots verts, baby patty pans, and buttermilk mashers. I ordered the applewood-smoked durock pork chop, sautéed rainbow chard, garlicky yukon gold potatoes, and Bourbon-Jalapeño-Peach chutney - never had a pork chop this juicy and savory! Last but not least, desserts were heavenly. Hubby had the chocolate cake, and I ordered fresh strawberry pie with graham cracker crust, which were both to die for. Executive Chef Jeff Reilly did a marvelous job, and he was generous with the flavors and seasoning from beginning to end...beautifully done with finesse! I wish to meet him someday. We did not want the evening to end; therefore, we took a stroll down the pathway towards the pool and hot tub, enjoying the fire pit. We couldn't have ended the night in a more gorgeous setting ~ euphoric. As the pool area closed at 11 p.m., we headed to our room and enjoyed the fireplace with pillow talk (TMI?). Being married so long just means I talk and hubby snores HA! The next morning, we had breakfast back at the Duck Club Restaurant, where the two of us were seated ocean side right by the window. Kelsey our server did a fabulous job waiting on us even with a broken wrist. She was attentive and bubbly :) Hubby ordered the country breakfast with a side of fluffy pancakes, and I had the classic eggs benedict, while sipping on a Bodega Bay bellini, which was Bodega-licious! We requested late checkout, since my mom was watching our son, I tried to milk every minute of our alone time. We took a stroll down to Doran Beach, saw how crowded it got, then headed back to the property and checked out with Natalie. She was extremely helpful and patient. We also purchased two souvenir mugs, and she expeditiously finished the transaction. Before noon, vehicle traffic was heavy, so we made a pit stop at the Potter Schoolhouse, where Alfred Hitchcock filmed "The Birds". I chatted it up with a few locals and off we went to Dillon Beach. Thank you so much for an unforgettable retreat, way beyond 5 stars accommodation and lodging. I wish our lives could be like this forever or just the days that end with a "Y". I was quite happy to be off the grid for more than 24 hours, where nobody could reach us. Back to reality ~ I'm glad we're close enough to return to this awe-inspiring sanctuary!!!

Wow! What an amazing treat to have been privy to experience! Thank you to Kevin B. and Yelp for an…read moreincredible experience! We arrived just around 4 pm as requested for check in. The property is just off the main drag as you drive into Bodega. I have drove by the property for years but never been in, so this was an exciting treat. We turned into the drive way and up the winding road to where the main lobby is located. The grounds are lush with beautiful landscaping and garden art. The property has complimentary bicycles to use and explore the area and they are parked just out front of the lobby. The staff was super friendly and from that first greeting treated me like I was family. Someone who cared to ensure I had a fabulous experience. I shared with the girl this was a bonus because my mister and I were celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary. She told us we were in one of her favorite rooms, a beautiful junior suite. When we drove around to our room and opened the door I was shocked at how incredible it was! Our room was equipped with a king sized bed, whirlpool double jacuzzi tub, warm floors in the bathroom, and a beautiful tiled shower under a skylight. Our patio was an unobstructed view of Doran Beach. It was amazing! The room was spacious, beautiful, clean, and luscious in overall experience. We were welcome by a personalized welcome gift to let us know they appreciate our patronage. We relaxed in our room with the patio door open and the sea breeze rolling in until dinner time. The hotel offers a complimentary wine and cheese hour from 5-6, but we had just got to the property and wanted to relax before dinner so we opted to skip it. There is also complimentary coffee each morning off the lobby. Once at the restaurant we were treated to an inviting experience from the general manager and our waitperson. Everyone was friendly and attentive during the meal. We noshed on rib eye steaks served with mashed spuds and green beans. For dessert their strawberry pie is served with a graham cracker crust and fresh whipped cream- amazingly fresh and delicious! I ordered the creme brûlée with shortbread cookies. I think those cookies were the highlight of my meal - buttery, light melt in your mouth delicious! The grounds are fabulous to lounge around after dinner and hang out. Two fire pits, one is located by the bar and the other by the pool and infinity hot tub. This was a special treat and I know we felt it during the whole experience. My mister loved the massage, the infinity hot tub overlooks the views of Doran Beach and sets you up to relax, have a drink of wine, and enjoy natures beauty in style. I highly recommend this for a close get away with friends, loved ones, whatever the occasion. Luxury close by with a stellar view and staff who are friendly and ready to help.

It's Sweet to be Elite!…read more I can see why these cookies are the best in the Bay Arrrrreeeeeeaaaaaa! I wish they would open a location in Marin. I was so happy to get into this perk, and make it a day in Fairfield. There are so many hidden gems on this side of 707. Brie was so friendly and knowledgeable with all the cookie flavors. There's ample street parking at this location. They also sell milk and water. Love all the flavors; my favorite was the dark chocolate walnut. Thank you Yelp + Butter Pecan Bakeshop for this decadent perk. Can't wait to see you in the Northbay on this side of the bridge! 'Til next time ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

Thank you Butter Pecan Bakeshop, CM Mary V and Yelp for the awesome treats! I would have never…read moreknown about Butter Pecan Bakeshop if it wasn't for this event. They are located on the corner of Texas and Jackson Streets in downtown Fairfield. We were treated to 2 of their popular signature cookies (butter pecan and banana toffee) plus 3 order cookies of our choice. Each cookie is $4, but they are pretty decent sized and you can tell the cookies are freshly made with good quality ingredients. The employees were all very nice and knowledgeable of their offerings. The cookies all tested great, each with slightly crunchy edges and soft/chewy in the middle. I don't come to downtown Fairfield much, but I would come back to try more tasty cookies the next time I am in the area. Thanks again to Butter Pecan Bakeshop for the experience and the treats!

What a sweet perk! Huge variety of topping from candies to cereal and everything in between…read more There's something for everyone. With so many flavors and toppings, who doesn't have an occasional craving for froyo. DIY froyo is simply the best. There's also vegan ice cream. Thank you to our NB CM Mary V. + Swirl for having this perk. It brought hubby and I out to San Anselmo on a date night. We used to pass this shopping center every time our kids played sports at the nearby field. So many great stores around here. I love this area of Marin, it's always sunny. Thanks for bringing back great memories. Will have to come out here more often, there's plenty of parking in the lot. 'Til next time ~ cheers & see you on Yelp (SYOY)!

Was happy for a chance to make it back to Swirl in San Anselmo! Thank you to Swirl and Mary V. for…read morethe opportunity! We haven't visited here in several years, as it's a few miles from home. Funny how easy it is to forget what lies a few short miles from our door! One employee was manning the store when we came in this Sunday, shortly after noon and found everything tidy. There were at least eight flavors to choose from, including the favorite "original tart." I tried the coffee gelato, strawberry and cheesecake. The coffee has an amazing depth of flavor and didn't taste like a kid's dessert so much as a rich treat. The cheesecake flavor definitely came through, but the strawberry tasted a little artificial. While most of their flavors are nonfat, I'm partial to fat - for better or worse! As a result, Swirl's froyo seems less creamy to me than other options. The topping choices were first rate. I loved that they offer compostable cups and spoons! It always makes me so happy when there are environmentally-conscious packaging. It did amuse me that there wasn't a compost bin separate from the trash bin.

I was pretty stoked when I found out I made it in to the Inaugral Meeting Of Yelps Flight Club At…read moreBANSHEE Wines Tasting Room in Healdsburg. Its was a great excuse to roll my Whip Black Beauty for a long cruise. Plus Yelp North Bays CM Kevin puts a lot of thought and care into his events. I rolled to Healdsburg in Black Beauty unfortunately traffic was heavy ,so I couldnt Roll Hammer Down.. But I made it there and was able to Park Black Beauty across the street. I was Impressed when I saw BANCSHEES Wine Tasting Room. It was very Comfortable. Its has 4 very comfortable seating areas 3 with Couches and a Fourth with a Long Old Growth Wood Table. They have a Great Record Collection at Banshee and will play your requests at will. We were seated at the Long Table . The Resident Wine Experts and Pourers were 2 Lovely Women a Blond and a Red Head . I am bad with names LOL. They had a great Wine Flight Planned For Us. 2012 Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc - Zesty ,Nectarine, Melon 2012 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay- Crisp, Lemon, Vanilla 2012 Sonoma County Pinot Noir - Suave , Black Cherry , Spice 2011 Sonoma Coast "Marine Layer " Pinot Noir -Enchanting , Earth , Raspberry 2011 Mordecai Red - Proprietary Blend - Juicy , Bramble , Tobbacco The 2011 Mordecal Red was my Favorite . Oh so Good. There was Small Bites for Us to Nibble On !!! Created by Healdsburg Shed - Cracker Spreads Tunisan Zucchini Mashed with Lemon Caraway , Coriander & Marashi Pepper Lentil Tahini Puree with Sesame Tahini,Olive Oil, Lemon Juice ,and Garlic Marin Sun Farms Pork Rillette with all Spice , Thyme, Fresh Bay Mcfarlan Farms Trout Mousse with Tarragon , Chives , Parsley These Spreads were very Tasty and paired great with the Wine Flight. I had a great experience at Banshee Tasting Room. Also Kevin and Banshee had some great Swag for the Flight Club BanShee T Shirts and Yelps Highly Coveted and Rare Wine Cork Screw Set Stainlees in a Custom Leather Case. Thanks To Kevin , Banshee Wine Staff ,Healdsburg Shed for a Great YEE !!! 2013 The Year Of Trials and Tribulations and Getting Back to Basics !!!

In keeping with the rules of Flight Club as posted under the event listing…read more.. The 1st rule of Flight Club is that you DO talk about Flight Club. Because Yelpers need to know there's some really cool wine tasting events going down in the North Bay, with more to come. The 2nd rule of Flight Club is that you Yelp about Flight Club. Because it's sweet to be Elite & it was even sweeter to be amongst the lucky few who got to partake of Banshee's wines & hospitality. & as for the 3rd rule of Flight Club, veni vidi vino! Yup, it was that simple. I showed up to Banshee Wines' comfy & cozy little tasting room in Healdsburg & was treated to a flight of their lovely wines. The small group of us Elites also got to nosh on crackers & delicious spreads from SHED while we got all the deets on Banshee's operations. The folks from Banshee were extremely friendly & easily approachable when it came to questions about wine. To top it all off was the Flight Club super-swag. Banshee generously gave each of us a really cool t-shirt & we all got a killer Yelp wine bottle opener set. Oh yeah, it's good to be in Flight Club. Thanks Kevin B. for your latest awesome but intimate North Bay YEE. & thanks Banshee Wines for a fun kickoff to Flight Club. Hopefully, there will be many more to follow. If there are & you're lucky enough to get in, just remember the 3 rules.

Kudos to our Yelp and Chip Cookies teams for organizing this sweet treat yoself event! I'm a sucker…read morefor cookies and this was up my alley. Found out they originated in Utah and are spreading in sunny Cali- lucky us! I got a customized chocolate with cream cheese frosting and Oreos and couldn't help myself- I got the box of 4. They're pretty hefty and gooey inside, with the exception of the sugar cookie but still good flavor. Biscoff chip, tres leches, sw chip and my customized cocoa one were a delicious selection and I felt super indulgent. I almost got the bag of cookie dough, almost! Appreciated the delectable delight and wish they were a bit closer to me, but maybe that's a good thing. I'd give them another try if I'm in the area.

Seeing as this was my first time visiting Chip Cookies, I decided to go with the OG chocolate chip…read morecookie. Oh my goodness, it was amazing! I also loved that you can choose vanilla ice cream on top which in my book was an immediate five stars! The owner was very nice and patient as I asked to hear all of the topping and customization options. I would definitely come here again!

This event was so much fun! There was so many different vendors from wine to whiskey, Mexican…read moredesserts to Chinese food, fortune tellers to cartoon artists! The venue was perfect, large and spacious! It was great meeting other Yelpers and even fantastic with the live band!

Thanks again to Mary and the team for this wonderful event! It was a great way to kickstart the…read morewinter season and enjoy a great evening! We got a chance to make some new friends, enjoy great music, taste a variety of delicious food and drinks from local vendors, and even try our hand at some arts and crafts! One of my favorite events so far, the Apres Ski party was definitely one for the books! Not only did I get to do my own photo shoot, but I got my picture drawn, and I got a chance to paint! I really enjoyed learning about each of the vendors and trying out new things!

So excited every time I Czech my Northbay Elite page and see a new event added by Kevin "The…read moreMothership," CM, and this event was one I've been excited about for some time! I make it down to Petaluma often for shopping and a few select restaurants, but I don't visit as much as I'd like, so the Social Club has been on my list since I read about it's opening in the Press Democrat (thank you Heather Irwin!). First star is for free parking. FREE MOTHER FATHERING PARKING, YO! I can't tell you how excited I get about free parking. Srsly, it's the little things in life that makes the biggest difference. Ample parking everywhere, on the street, in the lot, in the garage, in the sky, it's everywhere. So great. Alix loves it. Second star is for my freaking amazing new yelp swag. I don't know about you, but when I get yelpy swag, I actually use it. The stunna shades go with me to many events, the wristbands have accompanied me to quite a few lunches, and the pins are versatile and compliment literally (figuratively) every outfit. My new yelp fingerless gloves will be a fabulous new addition to my yelp-obsession; you're warned. Third star is for my amazing peeps. Kevin, you're the coolest ever. I think that's the first time I've ever seen you without a hat, tres chic. John and Lilia, you guys are the epitome of elite status, and Lilia you always make me smile when I see you, with your incredible hair, looking all badass. Issy, my heart is breaking to hear you're attempting to leave us for Sacramento Yelp, we're going to formulate a kidnapping plot to keep you forever, just you see. New friend Tracey, with your impressive amount of reviews, hot damn girl, incredible, and your new haircut is fierce. And everyone else who I met/saw and can't mention... Fourth star is for the food, which I really enjoyed. My favorite was surprisingly not the bacon mac and cheese, but the eggplant with cherry tomato (and a hint of curry?). I was not really about the trout offering though, which was the only fail I saw, just personal preference. Last star was for Social Club for hosting us on their newly built beer garden. The day was a little chilly, but I can imagine in my way too creative mind a warm summer evening with a perfectly poured cocktail, and savoring the beauty and greatness that is Petaluma. Will be returning...also, $3 Fernet shots?!? Yissss

So I'm really diggin' Petaluma! It seems every time I find my way up here, I find 1 more reason to…read morecome back. & thanks to this YEE, I found out about Social Club & Restaurant. The 1st impression was fantastic. Actually, the impression before the 1st impression was a key factor. Location. Social Club & Restaurant is right next to a parking structure with free parking + EV charging stations. Score! Social Club & Restaurant is a great looking venue with clean lines & lots of weathered wood. It was the ideal setting on a cool Summer day to relax with Yelp friends, gratis bites & Redd's Apple Ale. All while my EV got some free juice. Thanks Kevin B. for, yet again, another fun YEE. Seriously, Yelp's Summer Break at Social Club & Restaurant was North Bay's 4th awesome YEE in 5 weeks. That has got to be some kind of record-setting pace. Thanks also to Social Club & Restaurant. You've got a great space in a great location with tasty bites that perfectly complement your full bar. &, naturally, thanks to North Bay Elite friends who came out & made it all a lot of fun.

OMG what an amazing experience!…read more I took a longish break from the Elite life (a pandemic and a child can do this to you ;-)) but couldn't take missing out on those fantastic events any longer!!! So, I'm back and started my Elite Life 2.0 with a bang. I've been dabbling in Pilates and especially the reformer exercises for a while now and am still trying to find a studio/space/community that works for me. Guys, I might have found my place. The studio is so zen and beautifully done. Six reformers and a lot of weight training equipment. Right after entering the space, you feel calm and happy. The vibe is welcoming, the people super friendly and Nati is simply a gem. Being a bigger gal, I'm always a bit insecure when entering a new workout environment. Only when I left the studio, I realized that I felt comfortable the entire time before, during and after the workout. It really is a judgement free zone and Nati gives alternatives for the more challenging exercises, so everyone can do them. I chose the reformer only class to get into it, but I will definitely be back and try the reformer/strength training combination session as well to see which one is a better fit. Or keep mixing it up? I will find out. But one thing is sure, I will return and train with Nati and this great community. Thanks yelp for a great workout experience (and for the sweet swag)!

Man oh man i am out of shape! This was a great experience. My 1st introduction to yoga…read more Unfortunately there schedule doesn't fit my lifestyle. I would recommend this place over and over again!

Love these Yelp events. We get to share and hear about new businesses with the Yelp community…read more Supporting local business owners is what Yelp is all about with real people aka Yelpers/Yelp Elites. Please keep these coming, so we can all share the Yelp love and spread the word. With social media these days, the word travels even faster. Yelp gets the Olympic Gold for finding hidden local gems and bringing people together to enjoy LIFE! 'Til we meet again ~ cheers and see you on Yelp (SYOY)!