
What has more gems than a Tiffany's store? Jewel City, so it's no surprise that we teamed up with the blinged out 'hood to bring the Los Angeles Yelp Community a jam-packed schedule of events that showed off the most sparkling side of Glendale. Yelp's Passport to Glendale featured ten days of curated events, from Saturday, November 9th through Tuesday, November 19th, that highlighted some of the city's dining, shopping, and entertainment options.
Kicking things off was a Backyard Bash at Complex. The casual affair welcomed guests from all over to enjoy The Complex's NYC style brick-walled, string lit outdoor space, while munching on shelled bites from El Toro Tacos and sweet treats from Napoleon's Macarons. The libations were flowing thanks to Mike's Hard Lemonade and Cayman Jack, and the night ended with a dance party inspired by DJ Greg Tuzin's kick ass jams. Day two, we worked off some serious steam and calories with CrossFit and Yoga classes at Jewel City CrossFit/Yoga. After attendees sweated out the weekend, they were rewarded with silders from Vagabond Grillyard and chocolate and vanilla beverages from Muscle Milk. Namaste to OC CM, Ryan C, for teaching killer back-to-back yoga sessions!

The Famous turned into a page from US Weekly on Monday for an Almost Famous fete, complete with two aptly named cocktails, "The Paparazzi" (Cherry Lime Rickey) and "The Celebrity" (Autumn Crush), worthy of any red carpet affair. Vagabond Grillyard was slinging sliders once again, and Goodie Girls made mouths smile with their chocolate caramel pumpkin cupcakes. The jazzy background tunes by Echo Lake Quartet were the perfect melody to keep everybody groovin' and boozin'. Recess provided a Pre-Thanksgiving Feast under the stars with complementary cocktails by Buffalo Trace Bourbon and Geijer Glögg. And on Wednesday, we lunch breaked at Damon's for a four-course meal, washed down with their famous Mai Tai and Chi Chi! Those that wanted a two-fer could visit Red Carpet Wine & Spirits for a "light flight" of New Belgian beers and a discount on adult bevi purchases to enjoy at home.
The Americana at Brand Tasting Tour was one for the books! The trolley chauffeured lucky yelpers to Frida Mexican Cuisine for margaritas, sangria, and a selection of apps, then over to Katsuya for individual samplers of their most popular items, and finally Bar Verde, Nordstrom's lovely farm-to-table small plates restaurant for a night cap of wine, chocolate, and savory treats. Napoleon's Macarons were gifted to all guests as an amuse bouche, trolley snack, or post-tasting tour bite, as was complimentary valet for the rest of the year and gift certificates to Americana at Brand to a handful of winners. We then met up for linner on Saturday at Joon Shabu Shabu. Shabu Shabuers got to customize (and cook) their meal with Joon's homemade sauces and Sapporo was the drink of choice for the afterevening food sesh. On Sunday we got our Buffalo Brunch on at Neat with Buffalo Trace Bourbon Bloody Marys, a wing buffet provided by Delivery.com, as well as the Buffalo Bills game! Who won, you ask? Who cares! We were knee deep in bourbon and wings at that point!

Far Niente hosted the happiest of hours on Monday, Nov. 18th, with a slew of delicious appetizers, including fried ravioli and their perfectly cooked pizza. The larger than life projection screen was blasting MNF for those that wanted the game, and Chimay, wine, and well cocktails flowed like water. Tuesday, we closed out Passport at MGN Five Star Cinema with a luxury movie-going experience. Guests munched on tray-passed apps and popcorn while taking in previews in the theater's reclining seats. Wine and Remy Martin vodka cocktails were enjoyed while soaking up the sounds of KennyMac Entertainment "A Little Bit of Something for Everyone" and The BabyDolls "Entertainment with Flair…Divas Extraordinaire".
All pictures and reviews can be found on the official review page, as well as the Yelp LA Flickr page. Big thanks to Debra Morrison Photography for catching some of the shenanigans throughout the ten-day promotion!

It was a really unique way to explore the city and celebrate the local businesses that call it home. #yelpthedale
Proud Yelper and Glendalian,
LA East Community Manager