This is a review for the Yelp Elite program, speci...

This is a review for the Yelp Elite program, specifically my experience with my first Yelp Elite event in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Confession: I did the same walk from Dragon's gate to China Live a month earlier, and the experience was less than desirable. I had written China Live off.

I am blown away by my first Elite Event. I did not expect to meet so many amazing people, who all share a love for food and elegant experiences. How many times (outside of a rare industry event) can I claim to have met a winemaker, a filmmaker, a startup CEO who is about to get funded, a PR manager who loves culinary experiences, and so many more amazing people. There's something special about Yelp Elites.

As I arrived and checked-in, I had no idea what to expect. I was told no two experiences are the same. Great, I like surprises.

The walking tour was short but had just the right sampling. I liked the history of the Gate and Chinatown, and the serendipitous Banksy mural, that I may have passed hundreds of times, without realizing it existed.

At China Live, while I was famished and a part of me wanted to get to the food already, I appreciated the dim sum class, and how outclassed I was when I saw some of the Elites make beautiful dim sums. Thank you China Live for the lesson. I now such a little less at making working hands and pan-fried dim sums.

After some refreshing, clean and tasty Rose, I was ready to attack the 3-course affair.

First came the apps. My favorite was the lettuce wraps that are a favorite of owner, George Chen, betelnut minced chicken & lettuce cup. The lettuce added a refreshing layer that cleans your palette, while the minced chicken infused with peanuts was a perfect compliment.

XLB was just the dish to realize how clumsy I can be when trying to scoop out a dim sum oozing with consomme. I finally figured how to eat it right, with a ginger vinegar spoon. Delicious.

Chrysanthemum ten ingredient salad wasn't shabby but can be forgiven for being outclassed by such flavorful appetizers.

Some good conversation later, and some good-natured ribbing from the next table as they raised a toast to the best table, we were ready for the mains. First up was kung pao chicken which was truly a firecracker. While your palette was on fire, there was respite with the excellent Shanghai Chow main, fat noodles, stir-fried with a light sprinkling of seasonal vegetables. I paired it with the hot sauce, a mix of peppers and bean, and the result was umami. Completing the mains were blistered green beans with those delicious pickled radishes. Is it too early to think I am hungry and salivating for more?

After some more great conversation about food, some more food, international food, travel for food, pizza and TV finales that did not disappoint, came a visual pastiche of desserts that can bring out the gourmand in fellow gourmets. Luckily, Tina decided to divide the assortment and prevent a food fight. Miniature tiramisu-ish, black sesame macaroonish, raspberry something, matcha black tea something else, by then I had forgiven my previous misadventure at China Live, and had become a fan.

Thank you Yelp and Elites for making my first experience a delight. I cannot wait to join the next playing-hooky-from-work adventure. You guys are awesome!

P.S: Ben, you are a great host and an even better person.
Truly a pleasure meeting a kindred spirit, who enjoys pizza and Europe as much as I do.