Yelp's got a hula lulu from Edinbru-ulu, that rock-a-hula-baby of mine. Elvis might have had the moves, but Edinburgh Elite definitely had the smooths at last night's April Elite Event – Rock-a-Hula-Baby at Hula Juice Bar! Smoothie samplers and nibbles, live licks from Little Big Band, One Glass wine and the stellar Elite crowd and guests. Not to mention pineapples, mangos, mint, chili and chocolate. Our tastebuds are still tingling!

Have you ever experienced rich, melted dark chocolate in a smoothie? Or some kickin' chili? 'Having walked passed Hula several times without having the plain good sense to go in' neither had Kay L until the Yelp Smoothie Showdown! Yelpers fought the fruity battle of the smoothie for only one to be crowned the (uh-huh uh-huh) King of Hula!
With over 12 entries to choose from, Susan and her assistant manager Angie from Hula blended up Joe A's Chaing Mai Nights (mango, white chocolate, coconut milk and lime) David B's Chilean Miner (mango, orange juice, mint and chili) and Felipe B's The Spaniard!!! (pineapple, banana, apple juice and dark chocolate).

The Hula team gave a full smoothie making demo and 'they certainly know their thing when it comes to sticking stuff together and blending it all up.' And with concontions of berries, cinammon and white chocolate, or banana, pineapple and coconut we couldn't agree more when Chris M claims 'all were delicious and certainly enough to guarantee me rushing through the door again.'

Yelper's are a discerning bunch with some sharp palettes and after much deliberation and requests for second (and third!) tastings 'just to be sure' the votes were cast. It was a close call but it seems Edinburgh likes sugar, spice and all things nice as yelpers pipped for David B's Chilean Miner. 'Hot stuff' indeed! For the honour, David B came forth to be lei'd (with flowers, what else…?!) and Hula will be serving up the Chilean Miner as their Smoothie of the Day!

Whether they were freshed up with fruit or tippled with a tad of vino, fruity antics, hand fan action (yes, the hand fans were used in Scotland! Who woulda thought?!), tomfoolery with Yelp shades and some rather obscure gestures toward nether-regions ensued. (Michael W and Chris M can perhaps explain better – 'rate this!')

Jurgen D was nothing but complimentary of the whole evening, both of the smoothies and the ladies making them! 'Top class hospitality and some incredible smoothies and nibbles. They really demonstrated that making a smoothie is down to a great recipe as much as any meal.' Showing just how smooth he can be, he added that 'the very attractive staff made it all the better!'

As always, the biggest thank you to Susan, Angie, Emmy-Lou and Agata at Hula for their sweet blending skills and delicious nibbles, to Little Big Band for the smooth tunes, One Glass wine for the tipple, and Robin Mair for the photies! And of course all Elites and their guests for bringing the freshly-squeezed banter!

Remember, if you're in Edinburgh pop on down to Hula in the Grassmarket to get your own tastebuds tingling with David B's The Chilean Miner!
Share your love of the event here, check out the photies here, find Hula on Twitter, and join the chit-chat!
Adieu and a fruity farewell!

Jenny L
Yelp Edinburgh Community Manager