On Thursday, I attended yet another fabulous Yelp Elite event at Vivace — Rat Pack Rendezvous! I’ve been to Vivace once before and only got to experience the downstairs bar and dining area. The event was held on the second floor, I was curious about the second floor since I have never been up there and saw people go up there when I went before yet no one ever came down, hmmm. What are you all about elusive second floor? Turns out they have a bar, open floor and gorgeous outdoor patio area up there.
It would be a gorgeous view of Uptown Charlotte on a clear day but it was overcast so there wasn’t a lot to see. The patio also faces the greenway and downstairs outdoor seating where they have live music in the summer. I could totally see myself lounging here in the summertime listening to some live jams….with a cold drink of course!
Wine was provided by Palm Bay International-Feudi di San Gregio and Bertrani wines not to mention beer provided by Miller Coors-Peroni.
And of course, there was a wonderful spread of Italian food from Vivace
And boy did Vivace treat us well! They had charcuterie and cheese plates, flatbread pizza, mushroom pizza, fresh bread with chutney and balls.
Lots and lots of balls!
The first ball selection were the now-famous risotto balls.
I’ve never heard of such thing together but like all great combinations in history, I like both so the idea of the two together seemed like heaven. They had two selections of risotto balls-shrimp and mushroom which were equally delightful. I had to try both a few times just to be sure they were tasty. You never know how Italian wine can mess with your tastebuds so trying them multiple times was essential.
The second set of balls was dessert balls. I was actually too full to even try them but I heard they have chocolate truffles and balls with a raspberry glaze.
There was some entertainment for the evening- a Dean Martin impersonator which was good because I needed a distraction from the risotto balls. 
Good times had by all!
What’s your favorite Italian dish?
Simply Shaka 
Ooh fun event, you’re getting out to some great places! I love Italian food – lasagne, carbonara, spag bol, pizza yum. Glad you had a great time 🙂
you know it’s a great porch when even an overcast/rainy day looks beautiful. dean martin: what what
What a fabulous event! I love the setting of that bar! So perfect! And I love your outfit! Cute!
I love Italian food…you name it, I probably love it!!
Matt Le Blanc was there?? Joey! hahahaha
I LOVE Risotto Balls! I would have to say risotto & gnocchi are my 2 fav dishes. Now if someone could make gnocchi balls that would be good 🙂
Aw, you look so pretty in that last shot! 🙂
The pic of the truffles made me swoon a little.
And just the amount of all the different kinds of balls in general…
i’m so damn desperate that I’m gonna ask yelp to MAKE me an elite member…can’t wait all day for a damn invite! Anyways my fave italian dish is pizza? does that count? like brick oven white pizza…so.damn.good. 23 days babyyyyy
That looks like the perfect summertime spot!!! And what a fun night!
We love Yelp events! We recently attended an event at Luke and had such a great time!
Alfredo Cheese Tortellini is my favorite pasta, but this girl also loves pizza. My dream is to go to Italy and JUST EAT. Nevermind the sights, I’ve got my priorities straight.
I love that view, cloudy day or not. That bag is fabulous!
note to self, do not read about your yelp events when all I had for bfast was a green monster…everything looks really delish!
i love your gig with yelp. you get to go to the most amazing palces!
I want all those balls! Yum!
I love that last picture of you! I really do enjoy your posts about Yelp functions. Makes me wish and think that I’m right there with you!
PS – please replicate those balls! 🙂
Risotto balls!! Arancini! I love those!
At pretty much any pizzeria here in Italy they sell suppli, which are fried rice balls instead of risotto it’s a rice tomato mixture and there’s mozzarella in the middle. To die for.
Looks like you had a great time!
That all looks delicious! I want some balls yo.
*ahem* so how many balls did you eat 😉 bahahaha! the dessert balls have me super intrigued! ahhh it all looks soooo goood!
That looks like it was a good time! So many balls jokes i can think of…lol. My fav italian dish is pollo brunello which is this chicken and mushroom penne dish with a marsala cream sauce. So yummy.
Favorite Italian dish? Have to say pizza (as in: wood-fired, thin crust, lots of toppings, not standard takeout), although any kind of tortellini/ravioli are close. And my cousin’s vodka sauce!
My favorite Italian dish is this guy named Tony….WHAT? 😉 I love my own lasagna because it KICKS ALL KINDS OF A**. I love bruschetta – my recipe of course. And…I can’t lie. Olive Garden breadsticks dipped in Alfredo Sauce. 😉
Looks like an awesome restaurant!!! You look adorable!
My fav Italian dish…hmmmm…my Nona’s Manicotti is amazing.
what a killer looking time. awesome decor, awesome food, awesome people!
fave dish? either seafood alfredo or cheese torts.
That place looks beautiful! The food and the wine seem really delicious…
That impersonator looks a lot like Dean Martin himself!
Looks like you had a great time! the NY elite ppl are quite the bunch… i think your posse is more tame.. tee hee
My favorite Italian dish varies, but right now I’m loving eggplant parm. I also love this post – those pictures are great! How does one become a Yelp Elite? I totally want in!
PS I got coupons in the mail from Chobani the other day. Thanks for the heads up.