ATM Best Of The City Party

Could've been better... if I'd won that 55" TV.Nevertheless, an amazing collection of incredibly generous businesses who were eager to talk about their awesome Bestness. I had tons of fun sampling wares and learning about products and services that apparently everyone else in Albuquerque already knew about. I can't wait to try El Bruno's, and I'm bookmarking Slapfish now. Albuquerque Florist showed their stuff, as did emcees Jackie, Tony, and Donny, who made the award introductions drunk-fun, without actual drunkenness (I think).Venue Sandia Casino stepped up in a great way, offering a slew of swag goodies, and even allowing south-sider nemesis Isleta steal the foodie show with their AMAZEBALLS culinary samples. Might sporting of you, Sandia! Clear demonstration of the real value of our uniquely marvelous community.This is to say nothing about the spas, and travel agents, and healthcare providers, and artisans, and salons, and all the other bada$$ Albuquerque businesses that earned their prestigious victories in AtM's Best of the City competition. Proud to be Burqueno!

My first ATM Best is the city party was epic! I'm thrilled I was asked to attend. Albuquerque has so much wonderful things to offer. I honestly didn't know a party was held like this, I'm really impressed with the outcome of local people and business. The food, knowledge and stuff (products) I received were really awesome. I am playing to go back next year.

Albuquerque the Magazine, Best of the City Party, was held at Sandia Casino, inside the ballroom. My wife and I attended this event with my friend Ben. We were able to get four free tickets by attending a Yelp event on Tuesday called Albuquerque the Magazine launch party at Sandia BMW (this will be in a separate review). The tickets were marked $40 each, even though we got them free. We received goodie bags before entering the ballroom and free copies of Albuquerque the Magazine. This event had a huge number of retailers, all the best from the city of Albuquerque. I will list just a few of the many here: Baillio's, Twisters, Isleta Casino catering (some of the best food including shrimp appetizers), The Downs casino, Mykonos, Laguna burger, Steelbender brewing, Sandia Casino, Tamashi sushi, Twisters, Old Barrel tea company, Parq Hotel rooftop bar, Rebel Doughnuts, Sadies, K'Lynn's Southern and Cajun Fusion (great food), and Slap Fish. Laguna Burger had a giant wheel to spin and we won an apron and free drinks, burgers, and fries for 4 people! The Downs had another wheel where we won ear buds, and $20 worth of free play. Twisters offered free chips and salsa coupons. We received $50 worth of coupons from Baillio's, who was drawing for a free 4K television, which we didn't win!There was music and an MC from a local radio station. We bought drinks at the three bars they had set up until we discovered an adjacent smaller ballroom with free drinks. This event was very special as it offered us an opportunity to try food and other items from places we had never visited. I am also grateful that we got the magazine free, to try some of the best places in the city in the future. Thank you, Yelp and ATM for allowing us to attend this event for free.

Albuquerque The Magazine. Best of the City Party. 2018.And that is exactly what it was - some of the very best (voted on by Albuquerque residents) local businesses in our fair city. We have lots to be proud of in the shadow of the Watermelon Mountains. But, don't cry because you missed this great event. Just pick up a copy of the ATM 2018 Best of the City issue. On your news stands now. There were 40? 50? maybe 75 Best of the City vendors serving up their best goodies and gifts . . . but, don't despair, if you get a copy of the new magazine there are 280 BESTS for 2018 (YES! 280!) listed that you do not want to miss. Our fair city is brimming with great businesses . . . and now you will know what & who they are . . . just in time for the holidays! The ATM Best of the City 2018 Party was a fantastic introduction to ATM (if you don't know about it already?) Thanks Albuquerque The Magazine for this great annual event . . . and . . . .And a special "Thank You" to Sandia Casino for hosting the many curious Albuquerque residents. (P.S. Yes, I gambled a little after the event!) What an absolutely fun evening.

I've been to several Best of the City Parties and this is the first time I remember it being held on a weeknight. A Friday or Saturday evening would've been more preferable. Also desirable...more seating options, ice water stations (not just in the alcohol sampling room) and trash cans, and less ceviche and seafood.Sampling foods from places I've never been is always the main highlight at this event. Casa Taco is one place I'll definitely visit after attending. And who knew Twisters enchiladas were so good? I always order a burrito. Rebel donuts didn't disappoint with their fabulous array of mini donuts. Also, can't wait to try Laguna Burger with the coupon I won. I definitely left this place feeling full and with a bunch of swag.Can't wait to see which venders win next year!

I've been to a lot of the Best of the City Parties over the years and this was the first time being invited with Yelp. I was super excited about it.Sadly, the event this year was not as fun as years past. It seemed smaller and it didn't seem like there were as many food vendors. When I got there, I thought to myself "there has got to be another room!" There was not. There was only a small alcohol sample room. It also appeared that some of the vendors didn't even show up! There were empty tables where the vendor should have been.The event also didn't have any tables to eat the food at and it was difficult to hold onto the sample and eat it the same time without setting it down. I would recommend some mini tables around the event for next time! Also, more trash cans! There was no where to throw your food!I'm glad I was invited by yelp because there is no way I would have spent $30, $40 or $50 (day of event).I remember in years of past it cost more like $20 and there were so many more vendors! Go back to the way it was in years past!!

My husband and I had a great time last night at the party. We arrived a little after 6pm and went to the bar first. I was very surprised that you had only one choice of wine, red or white, and $7.50 for half a glass was steep. We had such great wine at the Launch Party. We thought it best to get a seat early before getting food, but to our disappointment there were none, albeit there were lots of empty seats but all saved. Once we started visiting the booths the fun began. So many winners represented, lots and lots of food and good size servings. My favs were the chicken enchilada from Twisters (who knew?), Rudy's sausages and brisket, Rebel Donuts is incredible, and the ones who were new to us like Casa Taco, Central Grill and the biscachitos from Sandia Resort were the best I have ever had. We stayed away from the seafood as it did not seem to be chilled. Would have been so nice to have free water, and more trash cans. The lovely florist giving out gorgeous roses in all colors, and Phil from Sandia Resort & Casino who was charming and gave out some of the best gifts ever!!! Anyone who was doing "spin the wheel" was cut off due to the lines becoming too long, but then they gave gifts to everyone!!! The music and entertainment were a real treat from the Polynesian dancers, DJ, El Dorado High School band, and having the Mayor there was nice too!Our favorite chef & friend Marc Quinones was the "man" as Albuquerque's winner Chef of the Year and his wonderful team.As a guest from Albuquerque the Magazine through Yelp we totally appreciated the free tickets and will look forward to attending again in 2019!

Best of the city party was a hit! Not only did we walk away with a ton of swag, I have a list of new places to visit in the ABQ! As a newbie to the city, this was a great way to get familiar with some of the great options ABQ has to offer. Here are a few of the things I'm most excited about. Food: Acre had an amazing Vegan sloppy joe slider. I'm definitely on board for decreasing my carbon footprint while filling my tummy with amazing noms. El Patron served a green chili chicken enchilada that I'm going to dream about until we find our way back to their restaurant. A new place called Slap fish piqued my curiosity with their ceviche and lobster dip. I was skeptical about fish in the desert but after my taste and a chat with the chef, I'm comfortable taking an adventure to their restaurant and finding a few favorites on the menu. Rebel Donuts. I can't say anything to explain the euphoria. Just go. Go now.Experiences: to be continued Wellness: to be continued....I'll have to come back to edit this review. I have to go to Rebel Donuts now.

Big beautiful party! Congratulations to all who put this event together and to all the vendors who took the time to give away samples and swag. You guys are really THE BEST!We were impressed by the Tamashi restaurant, their sushi was delicious and they were really organized and prepared to feed the crowd. You guys are on top of your game. I am definitely visiting them sometime soon for more Japanese food. Mykonos' green chile enchiladas casserole and baklava were absolutely amazing. I'm not a fan of doughnuts (I know, it's weird) but I gave Rebel Doughnuts a try and now I'm hooked. They are delicious.We got a lot of nice freebies from Laguna Burger, Sandia Casino, The Albuquerque Downs Casino, Duke City Auto Body (you guys rocked the swag game). Just few things could be improved like water stations, more trash cans and sitting areas.Overall it was a great party! Way to go Albuquerque The Magazine!

I was a little disappointed at this year's Best of the City Party, I've gone twice before and this year not only seemed smaller, but not as well planned out. There weren't enough seats, many vendor booths were empty upon arrival at 6 pm, and there were no water stations. I wasn't going to wait in a long line to get a bottle of water and miss out on everything else. The second room wasn't well marked, I hardly noticed it until someone told me that they had water in there and alcohol. The drinks in there were good, I just wish there were more stations for water and as many others said trash. Around 8 pm, I noticed many vendors that were present packing up their tables and leaving. This was new and made me a little sad.Mostly my friends and I hit the food samples, which should be clearly labeled. Two people had shellfish allergies but we couldn't tell if there was a worth the wait factor to many lines without knowing if one of my friends would need an epi-pen. We worried most about cross contamination especially in a busy event.