Yelptoberfest Elite Event @ The Berghoff

I can’t believe I forgot to review this! Super fun event that was so worth the repeat location. I mean the history of Germany oozes out of the walls here. And how about them lending Colleen the little get up for the party? Yay.
This year, the event was spread out and that made it so much easier to talk to each other while others were busting out the polka moves. No spilled beer!
The giant soft pretzels were so yummy all warm and salty, just like me! I missed the Reisling from last year but the awesome bartender gently guided me off the wine path with some crazy delicious vanilla chocolate creation, and lots of them.
As always girls, job well done!

Big ups to Kelly S for giving me her +1. Girl, you have forever rocked my world.
The lunch boxes were AWESOME!!! And I had the most rockin’ time meeting a bunch of awesome Unilocalers that I’d never met but always dreamt of… you were all everything I had hoped you’d be.
I like to send a special thanks to Mandi G. who’s always so friendly and welcoming to me and to Nikki C. for letting me be his shadow for the night and introducing me to many in the fabulous Unilocal crew.
Viva La Whoopie Pies!

I have a friend who has been arguing with me since this event. She is two. She is very smart, so dont tell me «Dallas be a bigger person and dont argue with a two year old». You don’t know her and she will put you in your place. She saw my Unilocal lunchbox and said «HEY THAT’S MINE!». No way kid, its mine. According to her I’m too big for a lunchbox and that fact could be debated, but whatever. Her lunch box has Blue on it from the Nick TV show and I had to show her that mine has a three eyed alien chick. So ya… thanks for that Unilocal.I was finally right.
The event before lunchbox gate 09 was quite lovely. I missed Unilocaltoberfest last year and am happy I got to check it out this year. First of all, Colleen looked awesome. Then I got sweet swag. I ran into really old pre-​Yelp friends which was a great surprise, and some awesome Unilocalers who I had not seen in a while. Another cool thing about this event was I actually got to meet new people and I love new people (usually).
I cant comment on the food or drink because I had none but my plus one said the food and drinks were great as was the service, so kudos!(Correction– I did have a Coke and it was nice).
Overall, a very fun time at the Berghoff and another well organized Unilocal event.

Needed a full day to recover before I could write this review!
What can I say but outstanding!!! And who would have expected anything less? Major thumbs up.
Yummy beer, delicious food (I could have eaten just those potato pancakes with applesauce all night and been quite satisfied) and of course wonderful company. Top it all off with a spiffy new Unilocal lunchbox (complete with thermos!) and I am one happy camper :)

Last night’s dinner:
Most of a soft pretzel
2 mushrooms
1 whoopie pie
Too much beer
This morning’s breakfast:
One hangover with a side of cranky
Another fabulous Unilocal event to make me realize that I just cannot hang the way I once could. And yet I keep returning for more. I had a great time chatting with some of my favorite Unilocalers, making some new Unilocal friends, and introducing my charming +1 to the wonderful world of Unilocal partying. I wish I’d had the chance to snag some potato pancakes, but c’est la vie (I know, I should learn German for this one). Thanks Unilocal !
Also, Colleen’s dress=AWESOME

Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun
Roll out the barrel, we’ve got the blues on the run
Zing boom tararrel, ring out a song of good cheer
Now’s the time to roll the barrel, for the gang’s all here
When I heard the band play this song I could envision my grandma singing that song around her kitchen when I was a kid. Usually, it involved dancing around in oven mitts while cooking.
When I got my Unilocal lunchbox, complete with thermos, I was giddy and taken back to the days when I used to pick out my lunchbox for the school year. I can’t wait to tote it to the office with me, now just need to start grocery shopping so I have something to fill it with.
This event was fun; lots of new faces, tasty treats and yummy beverages. I stuck primarily with Berghoff’s lager, but I did try the Weiss mimosas and the spiked root beer floats. The taster glasses were the perfect size to try a brew without making a big commitment. The mimosas were ok, but the floats, made with vanilla flavored vodka, were great. I practically knocked over another Unilocaler mid-​conversation to get one! Food-​wise, I only sampled the pretzel and potato pancakes, but both were quite tasty; I wish I had grabbed more pancakes. I’m not much for applesauce, but I really enjoyed theirs on my potato pancake bites.
I never made it downstairs, but I had the chance to chat with plenty of Unilocalers upstairs. The only thing keeping me from checking out the downstairs (and my only complaint about this event) was the temperature. The upstairs was warm; since the rumor was that the downstairs was warmer, I steered clear.
Danke! Colleen and Jelena, it was another fabulous event.

Lunch boxes! Woo! Yes, I’m excited about the 2009 additions to Unilocaltoberfest, starting with the metal lunchboxes (with 4 buttons and Thermos)! I also enjoyed the downstairs area, which seemed way more cool than the warm upstairs area.
The beers were free and flowing and I did notice free Kendall Jackson wines, which was nice. The Polka was bringing out the Polish in me, and the beer, the Austrian. The free pretzels were way too big, but tasty! Can’t say I had a filled mushroom or another appetizer, but kudos, there was plenty to eat and drink. Thanks, Colleen, for getting all the details perfect, including your lederhosen costume!
Hotgescharbenhotten! (Tres hot!)

Darn you Unilocaltoberfest! Your second incarnation and you’re still playing with my mind just like when you were my first event ever last year. In 2008, you had me in absolute awe and I didn’t even know what to think of you. This year, you had a more clever trick up your sleeve. I thought I knew what to think of you and then you threw me for a loop.
I was all ready to drop a trey on this event (totally different than dropping a deuce, of course) due to my comparing it to other larger in size and scope recent Unilocal events. But then I opened my free lunch box when I got home, read the note, and my icy, cynical heart up and melted.
Best…freebie…ever!
Not just the quality of the lunch box, but the sentiment of the card inside. It will be put to good use. Though it is ironic that I will end up reviewing less lunchtime restaurants when I bring lunch more (as the theme of the lunch box is «in the future, everything will be reviewed»).
But mushiness aside. It was the idea of melting that was this party’s limitation. Giving us two floors was a much better setup than last year’s jam packed version of this event. But, somehow, it ended up warmer in the room (to the point where people were sweating and fanning themselves). And there were spots under the lights at the tables that were almost unbearable.
About the only reasons to put up with the heat were the people and libations causing it. The eating, drinking, and chit chat to be had was top notch. I made the mistake of eating beforehand worried there’d be no veggie options — I was wrong. The potato pancakes and soft pretzels (so big that only one person I know finished theirs) were really good. And the table full of three different Berghoff beers in small glasses that never had any wait was great. Even the lines for the main beers and sodas was never too long.
Hey, that lunch box is making me consider giving this thing a five. No, must stay rational.
A year ago I, as a scared newbie Unilocaler, walked into Yeptoberfest as a +1 going to his first elite event. It was by no means cold, but I had no idea at the time what being on Unilocal actually meant (especially being an elite). Now, one year later, it was good to see a lot more friendly faces and it was definitely a warm, communal atmosphere. But, yeah, maybe a bit too warm.

I got a lunch box, I got a lunch box, la la la… oh and my 1^st Unilocal stalker – score! Nah, she did not really stalk me, but it was fun nonetheless.
Is it wrong that I wanted to skip all the way home with my brand spanking new Unilocal lunchbox? It is so shiny and fun. Well, truth be told, I have never had a lunchbox – yep, that is right, NEVER. So, you can imagine my excitement over the new Unilocal swag – oh la la.
Okay, putting that aside, this was one great event. Everyone there was looking for a good time and they found it. I have to give major props to all the new elites & +1’s I met yesterday – WAY TO GO! It is not easy to walk up to people you do not know & say hello and I for one want to thank you for doing that. I met some fab people last night. Oh and my +1 had a great time, hopefully she will sign up today.
I loved that we had 2 floors this year – such an improvement. It was nice to not be crowded and be able to enjoy some conversation. The food was good, I even ate a brat & I hate brats – it was pretty good. But, I have to give it up for the whoopie pies – so yummy! Thanks Colleen for putting this together – yay!

Twice as much fun as last year’s Unilocaltoberfest!
The brats were delicious, the potato pancakes rocked and I was glad the mushrooms were much smaller this year. They were still delicious, but a lot less slippery and cumbersome. I fell madly in love with both the beer mimosa and spiked root beer float. There was plenty of food and drinks to go around with no long lines and even somewhere to sit down to enjoy the food — awesome!
As many will mention, the lunch box was definitely the highlight of the night. It actually came in handy, I was able to put a brat in there for later. Well, to share with Carrie at the after party :)
Great food, drinks and company. Unilocal,you did it again — another fantastic party! Thank you!
P. S. Colleen — you looked sooooo adorable!

Frauline Colleen, good job, doll. You got the fabulous folks at the Berghoff to sponsor another Unilocal bash that fed everyone and got them plenty to drink.
I know I got a little sassy (sorry, Nick M., that finger gets away from me) and that pretzel I insisted on having gave me salt exposure trauma (seriously, I’m still puckering)…but the brats were amazing, the beer was perfect, and the Berghoff staff were simply lovely. Smiles all around.
Danke, danke, danke. Loved it. No surprise there.

How can you not love a party where as soon as you walk in you’re greeted by friends, a pretzel, and a beer mimosa!
Man on man was it hot in there and I’m not just talking about Colleen in her sound of music costume! Though as always we all seem to just make it work plus the basement wasn’t too bad. Entertainment was great and so was the service. I didn’t get to try most of the food but that always seems to happen.
I always leave a happy man, with getting to see some of my favorite peeps. Plus this time I actually got to meet some new Unilocalers. I love it when newbies make the effort to say high. Thanks Unilocal ladies for planning another great evening.
Last but not least, like everyone else I was enamored by the lunch box. I know I turned into a little school kid and pretty much posed with it in every picture but I have to say it was the coolest freebie ever!!! The SpAcE monkey button equally awesome!

Alright, fine. 200^th review. yay, etc.
I wanted to wait for an astoundingly good or bad experience for 200, but I suppose I should keep rolling for the internet’s sake. After all, they did feed me booze, which resulted in:
1. An extremely awkward encounter with Peter G. that was witnessed by several other people
2. Krsna forcing me to babysit his high-​maintenance poodle this weekend
3. Destry and I ALLEGEDLY feeding cake to each other by hand (still denying this one)
4. Nathan accusing me of trying to French him
5. All photos I appeared in being left out of Ginger’s flickr album
6. Me being a backup karaōke vocalist on a song I’ve never heard
7. Kissing this homeless guy’s hand to affirm our friendship
8. Asking Mickey A. if a paralegal is a flying attorney
9. Chafing Nikki’s head with my 5 o’clock shadow (don’t ask)
Anything else I’m missing?
So yeah, 5 stars, defo.

That was awesome! Last night was well worth me being exhausted and out of it today!
Colleen, Andrea, and Jelena did a great job planning everything. The Bergoff was amazing!
I normally hate reubens (I hate rye bread, corned beef, and cabbage), but theirs were actually pretty good.
I love love loved the mini rootbeer floats. Those were the highlight of the evening for me.
Oh, and the potato pancakes were good, but the apple sauce to go on top was outstanding. I could have just taken one of the serving bowls from one of the waiters, but I didn’t.

Thanks to the first server I ran into for having those Reuben sandwiches on hand. I was starving and needed a little somethin’ somethin’ in my stomach (and apparently on my clothes because I was leaving crumbs all over). I’m not a Reuben sandwich person, but these were pretty tasty.
Thanks to the drinks table. Though there wasn’t water available on hand to drink, the wine and sprite (not together) were just what I needed to wash down the big-​ass pretzel and German chocolate whoopie pie I had.
Thanks to the Unilocal CMs (and brother) for hosting an «Oktoberfest» event Unilocal-​style. I missed last year’s so I was excited about getting a chance to celebrate this time. It was a good size crowd (for as warm as it was inside), and it was nice to see familiar faces and meet a few +1’s as well. Oh yeah, thanks for my spiffy lunch box and thermos. I felt like a little kid again as I boarded the bus home… Only this time I had a Unilocal-​themed lunch box and not an Little Orphan Annie one.

Brats. Beer. Mini Reubens. Mini Root Beer Floats. Stuffed Mushrooms. 7star. Unilocal Swag — my Lydia Lunchbox (though I only really want the Thermos — it keeps hot food hot and cold food cold, how does it know? — the rest will be passed on to My Favorite Child). All My Unilocal peeps — ROGER! Candace and Katie H., my New Unilocal Peep (s) Of The Night.
Everything I Like.
Nothing more needs to be said. A smashing party!

Good stuff!!!
From the moment I walked in the door, I started enjoying myself, even though I was the first one in! Great drinks, great food and great peeps! I enjoyed the bratwurst, potato pancakes and spinach mushrooms. I also enjoyed those little root beer float drinks that kept disappearing so fast.
I cannot wait to take my new Unilocal lunchbox to work and have everyone jealous. Shout out to Amanda & Colleen’s brother who was holding down the lunchbox area. He was pretty cool and a good guy to talk to. Shout out to Colleen and the team for throwing a down ass party! I raise many glasses to you all!

Ah, the advantages of living in Streeterville. First review!
We had a great time at the Unilocaltoberfest at Berghoff tonight. Two floors of drinks and food gave everyone enough space to comfortably mingle. Colleen and her crew again made it a fabulous opportunity to meet many of my Unilocal Friends that I’ve only known online, and renew friendships with those I’ve met before. The Berghoff did a great job, with the beers, the buffet, and the passed foods.
To Michael S, Erika G, Andrea R, Reuben H, Andrea H and Adam, Angie M, Candice G, Carol J, Paige W, Rhonda G and that smooth talking Elite Unilocaler you were with, Helena B, John B, Andre W, Jalena Z, and the others we met tonight — thanks for making it a delightful evening.

I’m getting old. I went to an Elite event and left without a tummyache? No, I haven’t learned portion control. It’s that i can’t run after the servers as quickly as I once did.
This was a fantastic event. From seeing Andrea’s and Jelena’s smiling faces at the door to checking out Colleen in her Oktoberfest (with a twist and a snap!) outfit, I knew it would be a good night. As soon as I walked in, I grabbed a beer, a stuffed mushroom and two potato pancakes. If I was missing seeing how Sydney came back from the dead on Melrose Place, I was DEFINITELY gonna get my eat on. I ran into Rhonda, Mary, Dallas, Lauren, Maria, Kelly S (raffle winner), Unity, Gigglepants, Andre, LOL, Ryan L, Krsna, Paige, Filly, Lori, Bette (happy birthday), Kyle, Tina and Michael [POINT OF ORDER — when did I turn into Ms. Mary Ann from Romper Room?] as I made my way to the brat table –twice — and worked some magic on that cased meat.
That’s where the gorging ended. No root beer vodka floats (not for lack of trying), no whoopie pies, no more fried or stuffed Germanthings, not even more booze. I just laughed it up with a bunch of fun Unilocalers I hadn’t seen in a while. 5 stars for a well planned, chillaxed, fun event. Beyond even the great convo, the prize of the evening was the Unilocal lunchbox. Colleen declared that she was the cover model for the astronaut on the cover. «And who, dear madam, is the summa-​toothed monkey supposed to be?» [beat] «My dog.»
Quite deft, Ms. C. Well played.

I never saw the mini-​reubens, but I did glom down on some whoopie pies. The pretzels were big and chewy and played havoc with my manners when I was trying to talk to people. The brats were bratty and came with sauerkraut and three kinds of mustard. How do you lose?
The servers were wearing some kind of hat that was supposed to be German but made them look like Peter Pan. Especially the little one downstairs.
It’s always good to see my Unilocal friends and meet new ones. Yes, I did tell one that I thought his name tag said «Tranny.» And yes, it might have been at the top of my lungs. You wanna make something out of it?
Two floors are better than one, but I was still hot as hell for most of the night. Luckily, it was a gorgeous night, and outdoor breaks were very welcome.
If you didn’t go, you missed the the kickass lunchbox with the thermos and the Elite Space Monkey. Is that a comment? All I know is that it’s going to make my coworkers green with envy.