DMV Yelp Elites Kick Off Culture Club w/ “Yelp’s Parisian Palate!”

Yelp's Culture Club is all about breaking out of one's comfort zone and charting new territory, which is exactly what this launch Elite Event is was about. Yelp Baltimore extended an invitation to all Yelp Elites in the DMV area for Yelp's Parisian Palate – a sampling of the finest in French and French-inspired cuisine in an event reminscent of Old World Paris!

Located in Gambrills, MD (smack dab in the middle of Baltimore, DC, and Annapolis), Roundz Gourmet Market and Catering hosted the event in their intimate space. Music from a French accordion player welcomed guests as they entered, as well as personalized berets adorned with Yelp buttons and little mustaches for those needing a bit more vintage French finesse.

Chef Zachary Pope's fresh farm-to-table approach to great dining (using all local farmers) came with a few surprises and plenty of flavor. Elites noshed on specialty items like mushroom tartlets with asparagus tips, mini filet and rock shrimp sandwiches, glazed pork belly with cranberry kumquat, and green spring pea and crème friache toasts to name a few. Finishing off the meal of dozens of mini bites were crème brûlée cups by the moundful and an assortment of macroons!

"I loved the fact that you could see directly into the kitchen as everything was being prepared," Brooke T said of Chef Pope's open kitchen. "They even offer cooking classes, and special events every Thursday.  The staff were awesome and attentive to any need."

Nina U agrees. "Roundz Gourmet went all out. It's pretty impressive when a business gives it their all. You could tell with the passion in the food with the favors, the attention to detail and beautiful displays. It was like we were at a party reception…"

Take it from Jennifer P: "Chef Pope's business was built mainly by catering weddings (though he has restaurant resume before that–you've probably eaten his work before) and trust me, if you were at a wedding cocktail hour, you'd be parking yourself near the kitchen to get first dibs on the mushroom cups or the shrimp salad sandwiches.  I don't even like shrimp salad and I had four of these. "

It was truly "a tour de force that felt like a tour de France!" exclaims Christy F. "The event was so well-organized too with tres chic berets & French-y style 'staches for the guests. And the accordion serenade was the etoille on the top of the Tour Eiffel that was the evening! "

Une soirée magique!

Until the next time: SYOY!

Elsa M.

Yelp Baltimore Senior CM