So Much Fun, So Little Time

We should all have such problems. My job has been so packed with fun, I can barely stand it.

Last week we had a Yelp Elite Event called All Hands on Dumplings at Albany Cooking School. My friend Deanna Fox recently became the owner of this operation located inside Different Drummer’s Kitchen, and I was thrilled to have a chance to bring some of the most active members of the local Yelp community into the space to learn a thing or two about dumplings.

While I’ve cooked with Deanna at her house, I’ve never been able to find the time on my calendar to see her teach. Just for context, I don’t seem to be able to find the time on my calendar to sleep or exercise either. Or call my family on the phone. Or a whole host of other things. I’m starting to think that maybe I’m just a terrible person. But I digress.

It was fantastic. I’d recommend clearing your calendar to make room for one of her classes.

Then the next day, a not-so-small group of Yelpers assembled at Sheba Al-Yemen for a family style dinner. We ordered a ridiculous amount of food. And when most people took their leave, I rallied a few brave souls and stuck around to try one of the Yemeni desserts. It may have not been the best call from a diet perspective, but I regret nothing.

And Saturday was the Saratoga Beer Summit where I bumped into one of Little Miss Fussy’s elementary school teachers, who recommended what may have been my favorite beer of the day. It was called Larry’s Latest Flamingo Fruit Fight by Bell’s Brewery, and it surely wasn’t going to be something I would have tried if left to my own devices.

Many thanks to Uber for its existence in the Capital Region, so I could make it home safe and sound after an incredible afternoon of beer sampling.

But today, more than anything, I want to tell you about what’s coming next!

I can’t believe that March is almost here. Next week, on March 5, some lucky members of the Yelp community will be treated to a free two-hour sampling event at Mazadar in Albany. The theme of the event is “Find Your Delicious”. And the goal is to try and eat our way through as much of the menu as we can in that relatively short amount of time.

The thing is that everyone has different tastes, and the dish that I might find rave worthy might not be the one you love the most. A couple of my friends swooned over the lamb chops, which I enjoyed. But I was enamored with the super long grain rice and the salty yogurt drink. Whereas I wanted all the rice and more, another friend of mine thought there was just too much of the stuff.

Since not that many people are familiar with the food from Afghanistan, I figured that this would be a great way for everyone to find their new favorite items on the Mazadar menu.

If this sounds up your alley, you should check out the event listing here. Just know that you only have until 10pm tonight to submit an RSVP request. But if you don’t make the guest list, please don’t feel too badly. Not even all the members of the Yelp Elite Squad who put in will make the cut. That said, it never hurts to throw your hat into the ring. You might just get lucky and score a spot at the table.

And if you don’t, there are always more Unofficial Yelp Events. For example, this Thursday a bunch of us are going to The Excelsior Pub in Albany to eat their version of the famous Nick Tahou Garbage Plate. It would be great to see you there. If you’re interested, just RSVP at this link so that Joel knows to expect you there.

Amazingly, this isn’t all of the Yelp fun that’s on deck for the next week or so. There’s one other big thing to share, but that will have to wait until Friday. Mostly because nobody wants to read about cocktails on Monday.

Speaking of Monday, hopefully you’re looking forward to something in order to help you make it through the week. If it’s fun or delicious, maybe you would consider sharing it in the comments below. Cheers!