Gratafy

Freshman Year of Life

This is an open letter to the future businessmen and women of America.  You might ask who am I to impart wisdom onto the future leaders of this country.  I am a man who has done research with actual books, BOOKS! (3^rd grade research project on turtles).  Back in my day Snapchat involved an etch-a-sketch, and mom – not Uber – was everyone’s private driver.

So as a sage 28 year old in the twilight years of my life, it only seems fair to educate some of you on the somewhat difficult transitionary period from college to adulthood better known as the freshman year of life. Below are a couple of quick tips on how to survive.

Picking Your First Real Job

Just get one.  Let your parents/Woody tell you to reach for the stars; I’m telling you to find something vaguely interesting in an industry you find somewhat appealing.  Who knows what you’ll want to do in 10 years. Think about 10 years ago when you were 12. Would you let that little monster choose your job today? Who knows, maybe you’ll go back to school and become a rocket surgeon.  Right now any experience is valuable considering how relevant your Poli Sci, Philosophy, or Communications major is to the real world. Juuuuuuuust kidding. But not really.

Living Situation

Most people take on roommates as a cost-saving tactic.  I’m here to tell you that few things are better than living with great friends.  Life is meant to be enjoyed with others and now is the time to do it!  Sure some people may be hard to live with, so don’t live with those people.  Live with the person who texts you this:

Cuisine

We all know the four main food groups.

But occasionally you’ll get a hankering for something with a little more…substance.  The average American eats out 5 times a week. For someone fresh out of college with student loans and a $200 cable bill (yes, the 3^rd DVR box was definitely necessary) you might see your dining out money quickly dwindling.  This is the perfect opportunity to let your parents, older friends, and anyone with a top hat or monocle know about Gratafy, the app that let’s users instantly buy friends drinks, dinner and more to over a 100 Seattle restaurants and bars. That way when you Instagram a Cup O’ Noodles for the 3^rd night in a row, your parents might finally notice and send you a little something-something to get you through the week.

Right now, use the promo code “highfive” for $5 off a gift with any Gratafy restaurant!

Get your gift on

Hi, I’m Conor and I am a man (legally). There are often arguments that men don’t know anything about women.  There might be some truth to this. Here is what I do know:

1.       Women like Instagram

2.       The thought does count…kinda.

3.       They like the Bachelor…they know it’s stupid…they don’t care.

4.       They like fantasy football now…I think more than me.

5.       Some of them “liked” this post before they read it.

6.       They LOVE Brittney Spears.

7.       They HATE Taylor Swift…and it’s important you do too.

8.       When something cute happens and everyone goes “awwwwww” at least two of them are faking.

9.     Don’t talk to them when their jam is playing. Don’t!

10.   They like lists (see!)

11.   They love #hashtags #OHmygodhashtgaggggsRIGHT?!

12.   They like tradition.

13.   They like scenic photos with one-word descriptions…”happy”, “love”, “bliss”.

14.   Outfits can be “fun”.

15.   They love the show Girls.

16.   They hate when I ask “do you do that?” when watching the show Girls.

17.   Emojicons! 

18.   Trader Joe’s!! Exclamation points!!!

19.   Girls love cards. CARDS! They think cards are great.

…And if my wonderful girlfriend is reading

20.   Women are intelligent.

21.   They’re insightful.

23.   They’re thoughtful.

24.   They’re beautiful.

25.   They’re compassionate.

…And if my wonderful girlfriend is NOT reading

25.   They really want to know who someone in the movie is, and whether or whether not that person will die despite the fact I have not seen the movie.

26.   They run circles around me in the office never forgetting to cross a “t” or dot an “i” while simultaneously locking themselves out of their apartment twice that week.

27.   They forgive but never forget….S%$#!

28.   But they do like unexpected gifts, so send them something tasty, sweet, or savory at Local 360 or any other of our awesome partners.

29. Did I mention they never forget, they’re thoughtful, and they’re compassionate? Hey, maybe that special lady in your life will get you something in return…

It feels good to receive, but it feels better to give.

Get your gift on

Why nothing beats Seattle Summers

Out of towners are under the impression that all it ever does in Seattle is rain.

Any true Seattleite will tell you there is no place more majestic than the Pacific Northwest in the summer and here’s why…

Disney movie atmosphere – There are almost 4 million people in the Greater Seattle Area, a fact that might not seem that apparent during the hibernating months (October-April).  But the emergence of the yellow sun transforms the streets from a Walking Dead episode into the first act of Newsies.  The entire city is littered with people on the brink of imaginary flash mob.  Each morning is like a hipster version of Beauty and The Beast.  

♫ There goes the bike messenger with his pashmina like always ♫

Solstice – Nothing kicks off summer like a fleet of naked cyclists gallivanting through the heart of Fremont.  Since this isn’t Footloose, Utah our city proudly supports the human body in all of its painted-losing-the-battle-against-gravity glory! From nude Smurfs, bottomless Supermen, to manhole-size pizza at the Ballroom this day is about going big!

Boating – Come the warm months anything that can float is a boat and we will treat it as such.  If you own an actual boat, what are you doing from June-September?  Most Seattleites boats operate in three speeds: too fast, coasting, and tied up.  The key is to stake your anchor in the lake floor and claim your fiberglass island! From South Lake Union to Meydenbauer, from Cozy Cove to J-Bay you’ll find pasty white dudes with whiter sunglasses hanging off the side of their sea vessels.  Sure our guy-to-girl ratio is usually 4:1 but it doesn’t matter because we’re on the water blasting 90’s rap with our hats on backwards like it’s straight up 1998! 

Mariners Games – Few summer nights are better spent then in Club Safeco.  The $12 cover is nominal compared to the endless amenities that await you inside.  Between Edgar’s Cantina, The Hit it Here Cafe, and the Louis Sojo beer garden you might forget you’re at a baseball game.  So amass your teal posse, bring back the sprinkler dance during “Louie Louie,” and always go with the green O Boy Oberto boat!

Monday sun burns – We’ll admit, we don’t get sun year round, and maybe we’ve been known to “overdo” it a little when it does come.  In the northwest our disdain for umbrellas is similarly matched  to our habitual underuse of sun screen.  You’ll hear it all from “it’s not even that hot out,” or “If I’m in the water I can’t get burned.”  You can always judge exactly how much fun someone had come Monday from the vibrant rouge hue of their head. 

Whichever of these categories you fall into just like you we’re excited for this sun to continue.  See you soon summer warriors.

Get your gift on

GIFs and Gifts: 10 best puppy GIFs

Without further ado!

10) The Willow Smith 

9) Your burrito sir

8) Corgi Cardio

7) Stampede!

6) Enchanté

5) Beast Mode

4) The Marionette

3) A wild Wampug appears!

2) What dog treats?

…and lastly

1) This isn’t fair, we must own a puppy now.

Have a furry friend in your family? Don’t let that stop you from going out and enjoying the finer things in life*. 

Bring your four legged child to Norms in Fremont and gift your friends a drink so they can meet you there!

Get Your Gift On

*Yes that was a Sisqo the Dragon quote

Hey you got my birthday invite(s) right?

Back in the day birthdays were freaking magical!

You and your 6 mom-approved friends would embark on a Nerf-infused pool blowout where one party-animal would “over do it” (ralph) from an inhumane combo of ice cream cake and Orange Crush.

Nowadays it’s someone’s birthday every weekend!  Who are all these people? How many Megans did I go to college with and how did one of them train an owl to deliver my invitation whilst photo bombing my pensive-window-gaze photo shoot?

Even at the height of our social prowess the birthday party perfect attendance feat was unachievable.  So if you have to miss the next birthday gala rather than check “maybe” on the Facebook invite (who are you kidding with “maybe”) just send your friend/coworker/mailman a cocktail via Gratafy and stalk the party pics on Facebook the next morning like a grown up!

Get your gift on

Protectors of the Culinary Realm

This Sunday marks the heavily anticipated return of Game of Thrones to HBO.  Set in the fictional continents of Westeros and Essos, Game of Thrones follows the quests of several noble houses in a civil war for the Iron Throne and rule of the Seven Kingdoms. It’s more or less Dungeons and Dragons meets Stratego but with more dragons and ice zombies!  

Here in Seattle our dragons come in fish form and our ice zombies drive Lexus’s.  But we aren’t a city without its pride.

It’s no secret that the Emerald City continues to be recognized as a global epicurean fixture. Below we present, in all of their royal splendor, the culinary kings and queens who battle for the Cast Iron Throne, known by their many loyal subjects as the Protectors of the Culinary Realm:

Sir Thomas of Douglas: James Beard award winning-Chef and Restaurateur; Tom has brought culinary fame to the Pacific Northwest as a descendant of Julia Child and Jerry Garcia.

Kingdom:

• Dahlia Lounge
• Etta’s Seafood
• Lola
• Palace Kitchen
• Seatown Seabar and Rotisserie
• Serious Pie Virginia (Heart of downtown Seattle)
• Serious Pie Westlake (South Lake Union)
• Serious Biscuit (South Lake Union)
• Dahlia Workshop
• Cuoco (Northern Italian Style restaurant)
• Brave Horse Tavern (21 and older)

Monsieur Thierry Rautureau the First: Known lovingly in Seattle as “Chef in the Hat,” a moniker after which his company is named, Thierry is also a James Beard award winning chef who can often be seen with a smile on his face that perennially thaws the cold winters and delights the villagers of Madison Valley.  

Kingdom:

• Rover’s
• Luc

Ethan Stowell of the Night’s Watch: Three-time James Beard award-nominee and amasser of a growing culinary empire.  Ethan brings simplicity and thought to every plate and leads the league in restaurants with ampersands in the title!

Kingdom:

• How to Cook a Wolf
• Tavolata
• Staple & Fancy
• Rione XIII
• Bar Cotto
• Anchovies & Olives

Lord Jonathan Howie:  Award winning chef and restaurateur, John has conquered surf and turf on both coasts of Washington (the lake).  John has assembled a veritable dining dream team at John Howie Steak in Bellevue, luring the hospitality industry’s elite to the Northwest.

Kingdom:

• John Howie Steak
• Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar (Bellevue)
• Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar (Seattle)
• Sport

Her Ladyship of Terra Hummus; Maria Hines: Yet another James Beard award winner, Maria Hines is quickly expanding her culinary dynasty with the recent addition of Agrodulce.  If you thought this was a game of kings you were grossly mistaken, as all peoples with mouths will agree her skill is every ounce as elite as her gastrological brethren.

Kingdom:

• Tilth
• Golden Beetle
• Agrodulce

While these kings and queens sit atop their empires, others await in the balance. Alas, the quest for Northwest restaurant supremacy is never done!

Visit one of these kingdoms in person or bestow the gift of mutton and ale on a noble friend today with Gratafy!

Get Your Gift On

The madness is almost here and you’re excited! And…you have absolutely no idea what is going on.  Maybe you don’t really care. Maybe, your team sucked this year. Or maybe you’ve recently come out of a coma.  Whatever the reason your NCAA IQ is slightly below Forrest Gump’s right now is neither here nor there.  The good news is that we think we can help. Below are some situational phrases that will prevent you from pulling a “bags of sand” moment.

So without further ado, here they are…

Starters:

1) “Wow! The Big-10 huh? Jeez, who saw that coming, right…I did!” (when asked what you’re talking about just respond) “Mind Blown”

2) “Remember ’97?! (wait for someone to recall an event then respond) I was in math class when that happened! Remember Math?!”

When asked who you have winning it all… 

3) “I usually pick the team with the most Teen Wolves on it.”               

4) “Gonzaga for sure, I mean what do you think is decided at a Papal Conclave, anyway?”

5) “In which bracket, right? I have a family one, high school guys, college guys, Five Guys Burgers…”(turn and high five nearest unsuspecting passerby)

When asked what’s your favorite March Madness moment…

6) “C’mon.That’s like asking me to choose my favorite kid” In the event you have no children or only one child try yelling “COLD BLOODED” and point at a screen.

When asked what underdogs you have going deep…

7) “you kiss your mother with that mouth?!”

When asked who’s your favorite player in this year’s tourney…

8) “Easy: Nerlens Noel! Guy sounds like a prank call alias Ron Burgundy made up, right? Probably works at Dr. Chim Richald’s office in Human Resources.” (hold for cascading laughter and impending high fives as a result of your well-placed insider)

When they ask what you’re doing for the game…

9)Tell them you’ll buy them a beer from the 50 yard-line via Gratafy and proceed to do the Harlem Shake. (very topical)

Get your gift on

Kiss Me I’m Green!

It’s that magically delicious time of year again! Winter is slowly waning into spring as the inaugural four-leaf clover burrows through the frozen tundra (too Game of Thronesy?).  Anywho, regardless of which realm you dwell in, St Patrick’s Day is this Sunday! St. Patty’s Day is a joyous and festive holiday, rich in tradition we’re all well versed in. What’s the history you ask? Well, we’ll tell you: St Patrick’s Day, is a day…where we celebrate Saint Patrick! Who was he? Saint Patrick was the guy who taught Michael Flatley, Lord of the Dance? Here is a picture of him seen sketched below…

Okay so maybe we don’t ALL know the history behind St Patrick ’s Day so I’ll look it up.  Wikipedia says St Patrick’s Day is “a celebration of Irishness.” It’s always a good sign when the description of your holiday includes a made-up word.

So we obviously celebrate this holiday due to this immense amount of “Irishness” Ben O’Affleck and the rest of America must possess. So again I looked it up (I know, TWO times to Wikipedia) and discovered that roughly 12% of the United States population is Irish, yet we all seem to speak like Daisy from Downton Abbey every March 17th.  Which is awesome as long as you’re not in a deceitful love triangle or stuck cooking with Mrs. Patmore.

So really, why do we all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Let’s see…

Does it involve dressing up like a Leprechaun? Yes!  

Does it involve talking in a fun accent? Yes!

Does it involve pints of green beer? Yes! Yes! Yes!

So in closing, who the hell cares whether your ancestors are from Ireland or King’s Landing because it’s St. Patty’s Day and that’s all that matters!  SO this Sunday, you and Rob Roy, and his very specific set of skills, can spread the Irish cheer!

Get Your Gift On

Tap It, Don’t Wrap It.

Four days until Christmas and you still haven’t found the perfect gift?  You’re not alone, and in fact we’ve been hearing over and over again how tough finding a personal gift can be.

In our own experience, we’ve struggled through many past holiday seasons to seek out a gift worth spending money on to give to friends and family.  You want to give a gift that’s more meaningful than a generic gift certificate; something that says I know you well enough that I successfully chose a gift you would enjoy.  But where does one start that hunt and when do you have time in your crazy schedule to do that?

When we think about where we’ve connected most with friends and loved ones over the years, it’s often been when we’ve been out and about, sharing an experience at a favorite restaurant - over a dinner, enjoying a bottle of wine with friends, or just out grabbing cocktails. Gratafy is all about giving people more opportunities to create these memories for (and with) friends and loved ones, even if you can’t be there in person at that very moment.  

So this year, naturally, we are all using Gratafy to send personal experience-based gifts to those on our lists.  If you haven’t used Gratafy yet, this is the perfect time of year to send your first gift. See a glimpse of our 600+ items available now at restaurants and venues in Seattle/Bellevue by visiting our Gift Guide or start sending right away by downloading the app here!

Happy Holidays to all of you from Team Gratafy!

Ready. Go! Set.

As some of you on iOS 6 might have noticed last week, our first release had a major bug. We felt terrible – the app is pretty hard to use when your Facebook friends won’t even load. All week I kept hearing, “I don’t have any friends!! Where are my friends?!” It felt like I was on the playground again in kindergarten; not a fun feeling :)

But Gratafy supporters are resilient, and your loyalty has paid off! We’ve been hard at work over the past week making fixes and updates to get the product up to snuff.  We are thrilled to announce that all iPhone users are now able to start sending gift experiences to celebrate special occasions like this.  

We can also assure you that there are a ton of new features that we’ll be releasing weekly.  We’re listening closely to your comments and feedback, so thank you to everyone who has taken the time to reach out! We continue to be all ears, so hit us up here any time and we’ll get back to you muy rapido.

Lastly, as Beyonce said quite astutely, “If you like it, then you’d better put a rating on it.” Err…something like that anyway. But you get the point – please rate us in the App Store and Play Store if you like what you’ve seen so far! Many thanks.

Enjoy the weekend!

Team Gratafy

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