The Twin Cities Yelp community stepped out in record numbers for this week's Frostbite Ball—all of them looking hot enough to melt an iceberg. D'Amico Kitchen and the Eden Ice Chamber could barely contain this avalanche of downtown party goers!
The Elite VIP Hour began at 7 p.m. exclusively for the yelpiest of yelpers. In addition to an early access to the party, Elites enjoyed complimentary beauty services: glittering makeup applications from Farah Hussein (owner of the just-about-to-re-open Glo Skin Spa), false lashes from Nicole Jorgenson, hairstyling by Alysha Hop and chair massages from Cara Kinsell. You can find these ladies all in one place at Moving Pictures. One lucky yelper even won a day spa package!
When the doors opened to everyone on the guest list at 8 p.m., our hosts at D'Amico Kitchen continued passing delectable hors d'oeuvres like butternut squash pizza, savory meatballs, yellowfin tuna tartare and chocolate-dipped cheesecake lollipops in the downstairs lounge area. Ronnie G calls the black-truffle bruschetta the "favorite bite of the night. Full of flavor and rich. I could eat about 17 of these."
Yelpers didn't go thirsty with complimentary winter warmers and ice-cold bevvies to wash it all down. Upstairs at the Eden Ice Chamber, yelpers curled up in faux-fur blankets by the fire to try the night's signature Grey Goose martini and enjoy the warmest eve we've had all year. Sophisticated white drapes, views of Le Méridien Chambers Burnet Art Gallery and the Adam & Eve ice-work brought the swank-level to uncharted heights.
Downstairs, Crispin Cider's new imported Browns Lane tallboys went like hotcakes. The very popular Coco-Cocoa (made with hot chocolate and the new Bacardi Rock Coconut), Bacardi Frostbite Punch, flutes of Astoria Prosecco and straight-up CORZO Tequila shots kept everyone in the highest of spirits!
Aside from raising a glass, what breaks the ice among new Yelp friends? The Traveling Photo Booth—that's what. Equipped with more wild props than you could shake an icicle at, our operator J.D. turned out smile after smile of hilarious freeze-frames. Check out all those photos here!
Though no one was dressed to build a snow-fort, we did play a healthy game of grown-up freeze tag. "It" yelpers were given a non-physical description of a person, had to find that person and tag them. Then the old "it" gave the new "it" a new target. We discovered the real depth of talent in the Twin Cities Yelp community during this game, like who can whistle with their hands and who can perform a marriage ceremony!
Polar papparazzi Katherine Workinger and Lindsey Holmes of Point & Blog worked the room, in addition to freelance photographer Ryan Siemers. Siemers also hosted a drawing for a couple of photo sessions. The big winners are… Irina R. and Sarah H. Message me on Yelp to see what you won!
With all this heart and belly warming going on, we passed the warm fuzzies around with our charity partner. Yelpers donated hundreds of pairs of mittens and gloves to People Serving People, the area's largest family shelter!
Need more frozen folly? Check out the blizzard of Yelp reviews from the event, the rest of the photos here and here on Flickr… and find out why it's neat to be Elite!
A huge thanks to the wonderful staff at D'Amico Kitchen, Colleen C., Kristen W., Liz W. and all of the partners who made this grandest of parties possible!
Cheers,
Annie D.
Twin Cities Yelp Community Manager
P.S. Follow Yelp MSP on Twitter and Facebook!
