The Yelpy Awards @ The Westin New Orleans Canal Place

Reviewing a Unilocal event seems wrong to me, so I’ve never done it before. But, I’m breaking ground with the Unilocal Awards because I thought it was so well done it needs to be documented.
I hadn’t been to a Unilocal event in a loooong time and finally was able to make one and reconnect with some people.
We chose to drive and spent 45minutes looking for parking, but that is my own fault. It was cold and we were running late and too poor for a cab, so if it had been in a more accessible location or had free parking id bump it up to a 5 star rating.
The hotel seemed pretty accommodating to us and our Unilocalie décor. I thought the place looked great, there was fun Unilocal gear like lipgloss and stickers all around, and it was nice to see everyone a little dressed up. The food was good (grits and cheese/​crackers for vegetarians) and free drinks are always good.
I loved how Joi went out of her way to make the awards fun and interesting. I’m looking forward to what else Joi has up her sleeve.

I am clearly so very behind on reviews, but I didn’t want to skip reviewing the Unilocaly Awards Elite Event just because that’s already been said and done. So, I’ll try to keep it short and sweet. I’ve been to a few Elite Events now and this one was by far my favorite. The Westin was a great venue; the event room was simple but elegant, the validated parking was a plus, and I love any place that gives me a reason to dress fancy. The food was absolutely delicious and I cannot even begin to describe how much I loved the cheesy shrimp and grits. It was possibly one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in New Orleans. This event seemed to have a more social atmosphere than some of the past events and I really enjoyed meeting some of the other Unilocalers. I also appreciated that the awards portion was enjoyable and to the point. Thank you to Joi and the Unilocalterns for another fabulous event. Looking forward to the next one!

Had a great time with great people and great food.

What a fun event! Once again, a Unilocal elite event has completely surpassed expectation and has totally outdone the previous events. It was great seeing everyone dressed to impress and having a good time at the Westin. The food was amazing (I love a cheese plate) and the location was incredible (big thanks to the Westin for hosting us!)
Joi did a fantastic job of putting all of the awards together and I was thrilled to have been voted «most useful». Congrats to all who won!

I got drunk.

Unfortunately I had to leave early to support a friend at a performance, but I had a fabulous time while I was there. It was nice meeting some of the folks in person (especially Joi and John, who were my first few friends on Unilocal) and seeing how many people showed up made me want to become even more active and make more Unilocal friends! The food and drinks were awesome and I took home a bunch of Unilocal swag. Can’t wait till the next event!

The Unilocal Awards Elite Event was everything I had hoped it would be.
I had been waiting for this event for what seemed like forever. My excitement kept building until the day finally arrived. One problem with getting this excited is that I was worried the event wouldn’t live up to the hype in my mind.
Not only did it live up to my hype, it may have been even better than I ever could have imagined.
The location was perfect. The large private room had great city views, plus plenty of space and tables. There was a red carpet and a Unilocal backdrop for photos.
The beer from St. Arnold was very good. I didn’t try the food or vodka, but everyone else seemed to enjoy it. The staff working the party were friendly and accommodating.
The awards ceremony was great. The winners were able to give acceptance speeches which some actually did. The ceremony was lighthearted and fun. Special thanks to Vicky for suggesting I steal the mic from Josh mid speech. Will someone please help him get a new nickname?
It was great meeting many of the Unilocalers I had never met. Eileen, Steve, Chance, Kelly, Melissa, Jinyoung and Jane, it was great to finally meet you.
I also really enjoyed getting to see some of my old favorites. Joshua, Scott, Jeff, Chad, Dennis, Shannon, Perrey, Marielle, Jen, Larissa, Vicky, Susan, Jessica and Veronica.
If I forgot anyone (I am sure I did), send me a message and ill update my review.
A special thanks goes out to Joi, Rene, Emily and Farrah (Houston CM) for planning and pulling off an excellent event.
Thanks to everyone who voted for me. I was honored to win Most Helpful/​Ambassador.
And last, but not least, I finally got my elite watch. Sweet!

I’ll be first on this one I suppose! The night was put together by the best and it didn’t stop until someone wanted to get tuberculosis! That is a true story! I can’t wait for the next event! Hopefully it’s just as fun.

I love Elite events for a number of reasons. Sure there’s free food (compliments of the Westing this time) and free booze (St. Arnold’s Brewery and Deep Eddy Vodka) but most of all I get to see other awesome Unilocalers. It’s always a blast to see the usuals, especially Chad C., Jeff C., Scott S., King John, Jessica R., and even Joshua B. Even better was meeting new people, like Chance S.
Speaking of food and booze, the Westin hit it out of the park. The canapés were killer and even better were the mini muffaletras. But for me the star of the show was the shrimp and grits served in a martini glass. Classy presentation to go with all the Unilocalers in their fancy clothes.
Congrats to all the lucky Unilocalers who won and to Joi, Emily and Renee for putting on such a fantastic event. It was a delight to be able to honor our best Unilocalers. It’s people like our winners and nominees that really make Unilocal what it is. Keep up the excellent work.
Plus I got to score some killer ‘Yelp Life” fingerless gloves. :)

I was there. I made it even after falling into the rabbit hole in a big way and making horribly bad decisions all day.
I know I was there because of beaucoup new swag, maybe 10 or so new Unilocal sticks, and fond, fond, fuzzy memories of watermelon pork skewers and the most amazing savory chunky martinis garnished with shrimp… Also, I’m pretty sure that Joaquin Phenix was there or something.
Great job, Joi, and thanks for the nod, Assclown of the North.

Harumph good sirs and madams!
I say, after a colorful afternoon betting old family money at the racetrack, my butler/​driver/​manservant Smedleycakes carried me in his strong burly arms to this wonderfully charming endeavor full of «Yelpers» I believe they called themselves. What a splendid bunch they were, even with their thin portfolios, and love of bourgeois fermented barley and hops.
As I am accustomed to food only being served to me by naked supermodels on trays of gold and diamonds I was a wee bit dismayed by the presentation of the hors d’oeuvres by formally dressed servant folk on mere plates of silver, but I shall forgive Lady Joi for the faux pas, as perhaps the mistake was made by one of her own servants.
I admit to being bemused early by a wandering drunken lawyer. Her ability to bend over backwards is a true and fine skill to see in any legal counsel, and to do so for the entertainment of a young yoga teacher, it reminded me of my days in the Skull and Bones at Harvard. Oh what days those were, of which I do wish I could speak but can not. Hafafafafafafa.
Awards were given out, and what appeared to be some kind of furry ape boy ran up to grab one before being ushered aside by a giant of a man I imagine can only be some kind of professional wrestler or circus strong man.
When the soirée had come to an end, I followed a beautiful young vixen on to a nearby room of green, my favorite color wouldn’t you know, for an extended evening of conversation surrounded by other fine young vixens, including a somewhat masculine one named Jeffro? A strange name for a woman, and one with an equally strange habit of driving in the wrong direction.
Alas, the evening came to an end as reported earlier by Sir Chance, with talk of only the most splendid venereal diseases, but also drinks named after our own First Lady while doing lines of pure blueberry. None of that cheap Colombian powder for us I dare say.
All in all, I am in no way ambivalent towards this event, and would attend another. However, next time, Lady Joi, I will need to see an increased use of gold and fine jewels.
I bid you all good evening, as I retire to watch Jay Leno.

I would raise a toast that Joi, Rene, and Emily threw a great party. Of course, the «guests» are what makes a party. Congratulations to all who were nominated and to those who won. Joi as emcee is a hard act to follow.
I thought the Westin’s food was good. We especially liked the shrimp and sausage grits served in the martini glasses. I did discover another beer I liked, St. Arnold Brewery’s bock beer. I skipped the Deep Eddy Vodka, but it seemed to be quite popular. Thanks to the sponsors.
A great way to start a new year.

It was a classy, well-​organized event. Super fun, too.
The sweet tea drinks looked fabulous, but unfortunately I was still recovering from the 610 Stompers party the night before and couldn’t bring myself to drink anything else. The thought of alcohol still makes me a little ill. My +1 enjoyed the St Arnold beer, though.
Oh, and the food was great. I’m not usually a seafood fan, but the bacon wrapped scallops were good. I even liked the shrimp n grits (my first time trying grits)… though I may have given most of the shrimp to the fiancé ;) Loved the pork belly and watermelon!
Congrats to everyone who won awards, and of course thanks to Joi, Emily, and Rene for a job well done. Good to see everyone again!

Oh wow what a fun night. The first annual Unilocalies were everything I expected in an Elite Event, good food, free drinks, and great conversations with lots of friends. While the night seemed to start a little slow as people trickled in, before too long the smiles and libations were plenty with everyone decked out in various states of dressy for the proceedings. My Favorite Vegan +1 was quite impressed overall and loved how friendly everyone was, especially Scott and Booty who made her feel like they were old friends from years back.
The awards portion went pretty quickly with everyone cheering each other on as nominations were announced and the winner’s review presented. Congratulations to everyone nominated and the winners And thank you to everyone who voted me «Rookie of the Year.» I was surprised and honored.
The Westin did a bang up job maintaining the room and provided tasty treats for all. Thanks also go out to the rest of the sponsors: St. Arnold Brewery Deep Eddy Vodka.
Finally, mucho kudos to Joi, Renee, and Emily for putting on a great evening and Josh serving as Unilocaly Photographer. I couldn’t think of a better way to wrap my first year on Unilocal

The lights were bright, the party was loud, the booze was flowing, and my wife’s dress was flouncy. Is there anything more important that a flouncy dress? No, I think not.
I’m reviewing in absentia because people clicked my love button (if you know what I mean), and I’m flattered! I will forever treasure my Unilocaly. Group hug!

What a fabulous party! Thanks to Joi and her lovely Dawn-​like interns, Rene & Emily for putting together such a fun event. The decorations, the drinks, the food, the slideshow were all fun, tasty, and strong in appropriate proportions. Loved seeing everyone who dressed up and those who didn’t…it was OK seeing/​meeting you too.
Thanks to those who thought up & acted out the whole insanity that is the NOLA Unilocaly Awards. Congrats to all who won. Thanks for the award; I’m still feeling super special.

What a super fabulous event! I’m so happy that the Unilocaly Awards finally happened, thanks to Joi’s hard work (and Emily’s and Rene’s and Marielle’s and John’s.) The Westin is a gorgeous hotel, and the ballroom we were in provided the perfect setting. Everybody looked awesome! It’s fun to get dressed up and play fancypants for an evening.
The awards were so perfect. Congrats to all the Unilocaly Award winners — they were all SO well deserved. Unilocal NOLA is an amazing community because of all the people who have been a part of it, and it made me so happy to see everyone’s contributions recognized. High fives and hugs all around!
As always, Joi’s Elite Events feature a ton of awesome food and libations. I was too busy running around saying hi to everyone, so I didn’t get a chance to check out the food, but (of course), I managed to taste the drinks. The sweet tea vodka (with soda) was really freaking good, and I’ll definitely keep an eye out for it at bars and/​or local stores. The Saint Arnold beer I tried was also really, REALLY good, and I can’t wait to try more of their product.
So awesome to see everyone! Thanks for making this happen, and thanks for letting me be a part of it! Unilocal NOLA FTW!