Cafe Bello
Neighborhood: Glen Park

2885 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94131

Ed to the M. writes: My coffee standard is set high, you guys.  I get Blue Bottle pretty much everyday, as it is approximately two steps away from my apartment.  And I know there are many Starbucks haters who despise the Bucks because they are an evil mega-corporation…

Yelp Nail File
Neighborhood: Union Square, Nob Hill

San Francisco, CA 94109

Wendy K. writes: Got one! BOOOOOOYAAAAAAAH!!!!

UPDATE: Anybody who can't fully appreciate the concept of super clever shwag being given out by a brand new company trying to make a name for itself while being socially philanthropic and trying to get people to party…

Crixa Cakes
Neighborhood: South Berkeley

2748 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA 94703

Tanya F. writes: Shh. Listen. Don't say anything.

Do you hear that? That faint sound, a soft mixture of a rustle, a crackle and a squeeze?

That's the sound of my butt expanding because I've finally discovered Crixa Cakes, the delectable haven for gluttons and…

Nordstrom
Neighborhood: Lakeside

Stonestown Galleria
285 Winston Drive
San Francisco, CA 94132

laura b. writes: I've been wearing the wrong bra size for years.  I got read the gospel at this Nordstrom by a middle aged Russian woman of undeniable bra size detecting talents (and smoking hot good looks).  She saw me browsing the racks for cheapy cheaperton sale…

Jodie's Restaurant

902 Masonic Ave
Albany, CA 94706

Brittany D. writes: Its been over 6 months since my first stint at Jodie's. Since then i have taken my mother and my boyfriend here...they both crave it daily. went he BF gets dropped off at work and I say "Bye babe i'm off to go see Jodi now!" He gets a lil miffed and…

Spike's Coffees & Teas
Neighborhood: Castro

4117 19th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Ed U. writes: "Smiles, everyone!" Mr. Roarke demanded when guests disembarked on Fantasy Island..."Smiles!" I have a feeling he was the guiding force behind Spike's since they are so damn friendly in this tight-fitting caffeine enclave. I understand their…

Four Star Video
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill

1521 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

x x. writes: EDIT 2/4/07:  Closed, as of Feb '07.  :(  

I patronize the one on Cortland, but it's nice to have a second location. This one's just as cramped, and the staff are just as friendly.  Take advantage of their $1 Wednesdays (not including New Releases).…

Bar Crudo
Neighborhood: Union Square, Nob Hill

603 Bush St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Irene S. writes: I was posed with a bizarrely phrased - but perfectly bona fide - question recently by a stranger on Yelp.  PM went something rather exactly like this:

"How can you afford to eat out so much?

you get paid to go eat and review, or you doing it on your…

Longs Drugs
Neighborhood: North Oakland

5100 Broadway
Oakland, CA 94611

Peter M. writes: When I was in my first year of graduate school I had to take an obligatory "culture and diversity" class where you learn all about working with other people from backgrounds different than your own.  I despised this course not because I am a racist…

Emerald Auto & Brake
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

645 Judah St
San Francisco, CA 94122

Princess Buttercup C. writes: I was going to rework "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) for this review, but then I thought, self.  You are a lazy whore.  Who are you kidding?

So I will just use my everyday words for this.  Jim…

Berkeley Bagels

1281 Gilman Street
Albany, CA 94706

Jessa B. writes: I was on my way back from a BA meeting (bagelphile anonymous) and passed by a quaint store front on Gilman. It didn't take more than a glimpse for my eye to hungrily make out the word "bagel" (sweet, sweet, word that it is) on the awning. My car came…

War Memorial Opera House
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Civic Center/Tenderloin

301 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102

David D. writes: I've been here for an opera and several ballet performances.  

This Beaux-Arts building is part of a larger composition -- the civic center.  Look around the mall, and you can almost imagine being in Paris.  The Asian Art Museum, the Main Library, the…

Me

San Francisco, CA 94117

KayJay .. writes: I'll let you people tell me in votes.

I better see that COOL vote skyrocket people!

Vote accordingly.

I'm really glad they don't have a "Manically Insane" vote button.

Plain Jane's
Neighborhood: West Portal

44 West Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127

Liz C. writes: Definitely not a shop to bring your male counterpart. He will take one quick look at the display of moisturizers and feminine decor and freeze in the door way. Trust me, it happened.

I came back with my own personal "Will" and we practically fell in…

Brewcraft of San Francisco
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

1555 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Michael E. writes: We needed some big 22 oz. bottles for the first attempt at homebrewing, so the roommate and I trucked on over to Brewcraft (thanks Yelp!) last weekend. We so didn't stay in here long enough. For those of you from the midwest, you'll appreciate this…

Letterman Digital Arts Center

Chestnut & Lyon Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Peg S. writes: My first visit to LDAC was for the SF Film Society's screening of the Korean-language film, "Secret Sunshine."  I should have been clued in that we'd get lost looking for the screening room when I couldn't find a googleable address for the LDAC.  We…

Eagle's Drift In Lounge
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset

1232 Noriega Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

kevo m. writes: It aint no Dragon Lounge. But it's comfortable. Kinda like the Pop Inn, but without karaoke. The darts area has pass-through windows so you can order your drinks without interrupting your game. They have league darts and billiards too! Their jukebox…

Roberts Hardware
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

1629 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117

jessica t. writes: Still amazing.

Still carries some of the best plants in the city.

Still continues to provide top notch service.

Still carries the best tool ever  - the Hallbean Hammer and Screwdriver combo.

That is all.

Barbara's Fish Trap

281 Capistrano Rd
Princeton, CA 95970

euge l. writes: ok, perfect afternoon.

sunny, not too warm, not too cold, slight breeze.

sure the mutha frackers packed as hell, but they DO have a togo window.

grab some AWESOME rockcod fish and chips, some beers, some AWESOMERIFICFANFUCKINGTAS TIC corn…

Notes From Underground
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2399 Van Ness Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94109

Lauren C. writes: I just finished a great veggie sandwich, yum!  The term "veggie sandwich" means so many different things to many different restaurants.  This one consisted of cream cheese, tomato, avocado and sprouts between two slices of toasted bread.  I also had…

Urban Knitting Studio
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

320 Fell St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Lolia S. writes: Very stylish, atypical knitting shop.  It's not cluttered but has open spaces, industrial looking, and well organized selection of quality yarns.  I love the display of Manos del Uruguay upfront - it looks like a modern art installation.  

The store…

Lucinda's Mexican Food To Go

930 Redwood Hwy
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Paul B. writes: The carnitas burrito is awesome.  
I'm usually a moderately slow eater.  A co-worker proclaimed that was the fastest that she had ever seen anybody eat a burrito, after I was through inhaling it.
Enough said.

Moscow & Tbilisi Bakery Store
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

5540 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121

Keane L. writes: $2 Piroshki.

Cheap, long, greasy and filled with cabbage.

Just like me.

City CarShare
Neighborhood: SOMA

1182 Market St
Ste 300
San Francisco, CA 94102

Joe C. writes: For years I have griped about the car culture.  Imagine if all the public and private money that's ever been put into cars, roads, tires, gasoline, oil industry infrastructure, parking garages, auto insurance etc etc etc had been put into public…

Notorious For Hair
Neighborhood: Castro

561 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Karen K. writes: i come to rodney and tell him that i'm tired of looking like that dead chick from the grudge and that i need a haircut that will be appropriate for a funeral, a job interview and will be easy to swim laps in.

well, he somehow worked his magic and i…

Uhuru Furniture & Collectibles
Neighborhood: Grand Lake, Lower Hills

3742 Grand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Gracie B. writes: I haven't shopped here, but I volunteer and am in the store quite often.  There's always several items I wish I had space for.  It's a great organization.  Free pickup of donations and they do have delivery (not free) of purchased items.

Mechanics' Institute
Neighborhood: Financial District

57 Post Street

San Francisco, CA 94104

Nish N. writes: This is one of those lost gems in San Francisco. It's a little dated, as our some of the members, but it's a great resource nonetheless. Their library offers up some great history about the city, and their Cinemalit Series reminds me that their are…

Phnom Penh House
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt, Oakland Chinatown

251 8th St
Oakland, CA 94607

Seong P. writes: 4.5 stars.  The food was a 4 but I'll give it an extra half because the company was not bad.

When I was in southeast Asia, I thought I could distinguish Thai, Indonesian, Malaysian, etc. cuisines from one another.  The ingredients used were similiar…

City of Oakland
Neighborhood: Downtown Oakland

1 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza
Oakland, CA 94612

JT F. writes: Sometimes when life is right, things are going well and you don't have a care in the world, you owe it to yourself to fuck it all up by visiting the City of Oakland. You should come by, drive around and park anywhere that strikes your fancy.  

Now…

Epicurious.com

San Francisco, CA 94101

Suzanne B. writes: This is Suzanne...oh, hi!  How are you?  

Yeah, I know - it's been, wow...that long?  Really?

Um, hm.  So what are you doing Tuesd- no?  Shoot.  No, Thursday I'm booked and this weekend...I know, how does the season get so booked up?  But I would…

The Booksmith
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

1644 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Kristina R. writes: Independent bookstores rule!  And this one has charm like no other.  How else will you get your daily dose of verbal abuse if not for Upper Haight Street?  

The street urchins that hang outside sometimes harsh my mellow, especially when they ask for…

Crepe O Chocolat
Neighborhood: Union Square, Civic Center/Tenderloin

75 O'Farrell St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Keane L. writes: As far as loving restaurants go, my adoration for Crepe O Chocolat falls into the variety most true.

She is a mix of quiet comfort and exquisite qualities. Homemade sandwiches, salads and soups, as well as breakfast items from omelettes to infused…

Sea Breeze Cafe
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset

3940 Judah St
San Francisco, CA 94122

Kristina R. writes: Yum!  I had a BLT and Avo sandwich that was completely delicious.  It had a garlic mayonnaise.  I hate mayonnaise.  But I was licking my fingers, my plate, my napkin...it was absolutely disgusting.  But WORTH IT.  

Hubby had the french toast and a…

Belgano Chocolatier Gelateria
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

3901 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94114

laura b. writes: this place is open later than pretty much anything else on the noe valley section of 24th street...it's definitely open until at least 10 pm and maybe even until 11 pm??  this is unheard of in baby valley, folks...the bars close at like 6 pm here.…

Tamarindo Antojeria
Neighborhood: Old Oakland

468 8th St
Oakland, CA 94607

mango d. writes: Visited Tamarindo Antojeria Mexicana several times at lunch and dinner. we come late for dinner so i guess we miss the rush that everyone is talking about. damn, i just gave away the secret!

Food: 5 stars We have tried most of the menu. we order…

Gum Kuo Restaurant
Neighborhood: Oakland Chinatown

388 9th St
Oakland, CA 94607

Joshua L. writes: Gum Kuo is like Da Vinci Code, Limited Oakland Chinatown Edition! You go there and you have to know your way around the horribly under-proofed menu, the Chinese-only waitresses, and the sooper sikrett [sic] dishes only a privileged few who have…

Magic Theatre
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

Fort Mason Center
Building D
San Francisco, CA 94123

Caitlin J. writes: Saw Octopus here last night- it has been extended through June 21st (I believe that's the right date) and for good reason. One of the best acted, written, and designed plays I've seen in a long long time.

It was emotional, funny, and surprising.…

House of Qi Acupuncture
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

10 Eugenia Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94102

Joyita A. writes: Go see this man. This was my first time ever to go see an acupuncturist today. I felt lightheaded, weak, and in pain after having surgery a week ago. Being under general anesthesia, and getting surgery takes a lot out of you-leaving you open to…

Ambrosia Bakery
Neighborhood: Lakeside

2605 Ocean Ave
San Francisco, CA 94132

Juliane N. writes: YAY! I LOVE Christmas in August! I first received a package of donuts in the mail from Dave A., now, I received a personal delivery from Tracy A.! A whole box of Ambrosia cakes! Man, I'm so happy and surprised at the same time but also sad because I…

Freewheel Bike Shop
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA

1920 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Dan V. writes: It's really easy to be a snob and an elitist which makes Freewheel a complete anomaly due to how nice and friendly Travis and Dustin are.  For an LBS they carry a nice selection of bikes but more importantly they carry exotic parts including some…