Golden State Legal
Neighborhood: Financial District

100 Pine St
Suite 620
San Francisco, CA 94111

megan w. writes: I detest Kinko's. I loathe them. Every experience I've had with them has been a stew of incompetence and rudeness, with a little wasted time on the side. Especially the 100 California location, but certainly not limited to them.

Luckily, I am now…

Bangkok Thai Cuisine

1459 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94702

Gracie B. writes: Some people use a greasy breakfast to combat a hangover, I'm a fan of Asian food.  Yesterday, I was in desperate need of either Pad Thai or Pho.  I went for Pad Thai and got it here.  

Oh.

My.

God.

I do believe this is the best Pad Thai I'd EVER had.  OK…

Great Stuff
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

1377 9th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94122

jessica t. writes: If I'm looking for something random and don't feel like making the hectic trip downtown  - I head to Great Stuff.

I've picked up beautiful crystal earrings for my sister, a dramatic necklace and earring pairing for my Pride Disco outfit, and many…

The Melting Pot

125 E Sir Francis Drake Blvd
The Brick Kiln
Larkspur, CA 94939

Liz C. writes: 3.5 Stars.

The fondue experience here is amazing. Mainly because the restaurant is in a historic brick kiln. Yup, that's right, they used to make bricks in this restaurant. You walk in and you feel like you just stepped into an underground hobbit…

Laurel Bookstore
Neighborhood: Laurel District, Lower Hills

4100 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619

Sharon M. writes: great quaint little local independent bookstore.  lesbian owned, i believe, if that stuff matters to you, and very lgbt friendly.  too tiny to have everything you'll need, but they are so nice and it's perfect for a little neighborhood shop.  

also,…

Ame
Neighborhood: SOMA

689 Mission St
In the St. Regis Hotel
San Francisco, CA 94105

Toro E. writes: Ame (Japanese for rain), is my favorite Asian fusion restaurant in the city.  Of the city's upscale/special occasion restaurants, Ame is one of the under-rated restaurants, seeing that I could easily find a table without a reservation on the…

LoveFest

San Francisco, CA 94104

Keane L. writes: San Franciscans are gorgeous. On a warm, sunny LoveFest day, the truly beautiful come out to play. But there are always exceptions...

Adjectives that should never precede the word, "guy":

- naked
- wrinkly
- pale
- floppy

...

He was all of the above.

Bay Meadows Racecourse

2600 S Delaware St
San Mateo, CA 94403

Bella W. writes: I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with this place. It's sad to see this place be replaced by condos (What? The Bay Area needs MORE condos?!?!).

However, I have a very long history with this place. My father, being a stereotypical Chinese man,…

Peasant Pies
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

1039 Irving St
San Francisco, CA 94122

megan w. writes: I guess they're not for everyone, but personally I don't understand how you could diss Peasant Pies. They're like the quintessential local food innovation of the 90's. A fucking institution, if you will. Not to mention that ten years is like a…

Gecko Gecko
Neighborhood: Castro

4052 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Mark N. writes: OK, LOVE THIS STORE.  

First off, gorgeous pieces.  These items are authentic southeast asian pieces and all seem so evocative of the place, of story, of history and culture. . .all very sensual, too.  Really appealing stuff. . love the little…

CC's Pierce Street Manor
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

3243 Pierce Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Jamal G. writes: So we rushed the bar after our softball game, to catch the last 2 quarters of the Waarrriiioorrss killin' katz from Utah... looking like we just rolled out of bed, still in our pajamas, we are stopped at the door..

Bartender, "you can not come in"
I'm…

Photoworks
Neighborhood: Castro

2077 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Kristina R. writes: Wow!  I look like an Asian Christy Turlington in this black and white photo you guys printed for me.  

FIVE FRIGGIN' STARS.  No questions asked.  

If it's Photo-shopped, I don't wanna know.

Portal's Tavern
Neighborhood: West Portal

179 West Portal Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94127

Drue C. writes: My favorite time of day to pay Portals Tavern a visit is 1:00 on a Tuesday. Without fail there will be 5-6 Forty to Fifty something men sitting around the U shaped bar, who all know each other, having one of the following conversations.....

"I just…

Glam-Up
Neighborhood: Japantown, Western Addition/NOPA

22 Peace Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94115

sandy t. writes: I was desperate to find a nice salon to get my hair chemically straightened and I stumbled on this salon while walking around miyako plaza one day.  I came in a week later, and about 3 hours later---my hair was beautifully straightened.

I also get my…

Mission Dolores
Neighborhood: Castro

3321 16th St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Lisa W. writes: Why doesn't anyone go here?

Seriously.

SERIOUSLY!!!

Okay, watch out, because Supernerd is coming out in full force here...

I've lived in San Francisco for less than two years, and I've been to Mission Dolores four times already. Why do stupid, fat,…

Deli & Espresso
Neighborhood: Financial District

124 Montgomery St
San Francisco, CA 94104

jessica t. writes: Remember when you were a kid, and you'd get to go to the ice-cream store as a treat for cleaning your room, for being nice to your mom, and for getting a "plays well with others and is a delight to teach" comment on your report card.

Remember how…

Wee Scotty
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

1807 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94102

puck f. writes: i'm so glad to have been able to have sewing classes when i was a  tiny.  mine were held in the back room of a fairly sketchy sewing and vacuum store - if only wee scotty had been around for me.

i'm so excited about kids crafting, and alternative…

Werkstatt Motorcycle Repair
Neighborhood: Mission

3248 17th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

euge l. writes: so im rereviewing werkstatt. why? cause they made me fall in love with riding again.

i really dont know shit about riding. i CAN ride, but not well. i know theres two wheels, an engine and gas goes into it. thats about it.

i brought my old 250 ninja…

Moving Sale
Neighborhood: SOMA

952 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

Kristina R. writes: Did someone say "cheap-ass moving sale?"  What?  WHERE?

I'm a teacher.  I would eat through someone's ass to get a good deal on used Lincoln Logs.

I'm not proud of it, but it's true.

Spa Sole'
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2500 Clay St
2nd Floor
San Francisco, CA 94115

margot b. writes: Went here for my first ever spray tan. I was pretty pleased with the results although I really had no experience to compare to. The color came out good - close to perfect with the exception of a little streaking down at my feet. It lasted awhile and…

Red Box Sushi
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

581 Eddy St
San Francisco, CA 94102

Jill K. writes: Excellent!

Red Box Sushi joins my list of "Would never have found it without Yelp help" restaurants. A great pit stop before hitting up a show at Great American Music Hall. The fish was fresh (the white tuna and hamachi were particularly delicious)…

Berkeley Ironworks Climbing & Fitness Club

800 Potter Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Brig C. writes: Ironworks is the best.
Pluses: People's climbing outfits - especially the european (german?) guy who wears the leopard print spandex pants! I make it to the gym just to see what he will be wearing next. Love it!

Minuses: Back in november I was…

Ichiro
Neighborhood: Downtown Oakland

412 15th St
Oakland, CA 94612

Jeannette S. writes: Another great find from yelp!  We were looking for a place to eat around downtown Oakland/Lake Merritt.  I remember seeing great reviews of this place, so I used google SMS on my phone to find it.  When I saw this place, it was not at all what I…

Pastores
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

3486 Mission Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Wes M. writes: I'm always excited about real sit-down Mexican restaurants, so when I saw Pastores in the Chronicle's Bargain Bites list, I had to check it out.  Unfortunately the atmosphere is pretty much exactly like a taqueria, right down to the bright…

Trader Joe's

765 Broadway
Millbrae, CA 94030

Ken K. writes: There are some things that make me go

"hmmmmmmmmm...."

then

"ooooooooishi" (Japanese), "Ho Jia" (Taiwanese dialect), "Hao Chir" (Mandarin), "Ho Mei Do" (Cantonese), or "dis is sum good and affordable sheeeeyaht" (English)

then

" BUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU RP"…

Oakside Cafe

1195 Oak Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

maria d. writes: Inevitably, when something cool happens, something shitty has to happen to cancel it out. For example, you meet a cute interesting fellow who is completely unlike the -geeks who collect things -trash you usually date and after having being extremely…

Alice Marble Tennis Court
Neighborhood: Russian Hill

Greenwich & Hyde St
San Francisco, CA 94109

ir o ro o. writes: Alice Marble, to whom these courts (and park) is dedicated, was a tennis champion from San Francisco, who won boatloads of tournaments and National Championships in the 1930s.

These beautiful courts are perched at the peak of Hyde and Lombard  and…

Half Price Books Records Magazines
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley

2036 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

Vanessa R. writes: I bought The Smiths 'The Complete Picture' on vhs for $4 at Half Price.  My only gripe is that their vhs tapes really should be half of that because who else watches them besides me?  

Anyway, it's on right now and I'm drooling over Morrissey.  I…

George
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2411 California Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Caroline C. writes: We bought our dog Penny a cute red jacket and orange turtleneck today at George's (see my profile pics, Penny's modeling her new clothes).

We also picked up a cork mat for her bowls and a REALLY cool shedding blade. Endorsed by Oprah, so you know…

Higuma Japanese Restaurant

540 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94063

Keiko S. writes: Something DISTURBING happened.

Weekend night. Just as we were done eating and about to spend some time chatting over sake, the staff starts putting up chairs on top of all the tables surrounding ours, leaving us with the uncomfortable and guilty…

New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

907 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

Kathryn T. writes: I'm good with my hands. Or so I'm told.

When I was required to eat with my hands at New Eritrea, I totally mastered that situation.

I got the meat sampler with chicken, lamb and beef, each in a different spiced sauce. I also tried the vegetarian…

Alvin's Scrumptious Coffees & Teas
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

1708 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

Janney B. writes: Sometimes, I am not the brightest bulb:
   1) When I was little, I poured a bottle of peroxide on my hair because I wanted to look like Barbie.
   2) When I moved to the City last summer and wished on a shooting star it was actually an airplane.…

Jojo
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Piedmont Ave

3859 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611

.elin f. writes: Yeah, my BFF is the greatest. When I pull a bait-and-switch on her, promising her a Dine-About-Town dinner but taking her out for a meal in Oakland, she doesn't complain. When I tell her to be at my house at 6pm but I don't show up til 6:30 because I…

Casa Lucas Market
Neighborhood: Mission

2934 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

jay h. writes: I laugh at all the hippie hipsters who buy their basic veggies at Andronico's, Whole Foods and Trader Joe's.  

You can get tomatoes, lettuce, cucumber...ALL that shit here!  For HELLA cheaper!  I bought a pound of tomatillos, chiles, a pack of corn…

Emma's Coffee House
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA

1901 Hayes St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Janet H. writes: Emma's Coffee House is a good indie coffee house for free wi-fi.

I was in the neighborhood and went in for a Cafe Mocha.  The mocha was smooth in flavor and rich in chocolate.  I haven't had a mocha this good in a while, since most of the time the…

Dr. Daniel F. Goodman, MD
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1199 Bush St
Suite 350
San Francisco, CA 94109

Teri C. writes: I had PRK done last Monday and I'm seeing great!  Most importantly, I had three eye consultations for eye surgery and I found his office to be the most thorough.  

His staff, from the front office girls to the assistants to the other eye doctors, they…

Habitot Children's Museum
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley

2065 Kittredge St
Berkeley, CA 94704

Mary F. writes: I'm still years away from runts of my own, but from my few years of professional child wrangling experience, habitot has become a god send. The first time I walked in here, I wish I turned little again ala Tom Hanks in "Big". There's a vertical maze…

El Chalan Restaurant

3748 San Pablo Dam Rd
El Sobrante, CA 94803

Cris L. writes: You know you are in El Sobrante when you do a Yelp search for restaurants and all hits are in Berkeley.

You know you are in El Sobrante when you're having dinner at 8 o'clock on a Sunday evening and all around you chairs are standing upside-down on…

Serrano Hotel
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

405 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

John H. writes: Not bad, not bad at all.

Nice, clean, and reasonably sized room compared to what you usually get in SF for under $200 a night.  Also liked that there was a gym and parking at the garage next door was only $20.

The only problem?  The neighborhood, after…

Amazona's Pizza

2427 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94612

Tabitha S. writes: It's not often that a place gains some respect from a mistake.

I ordered a pizza from here a while back and they mixed up Canadian Bacon and gave me plain ol 'American-pig bacon'.
My first reaction was to call them back and let em know.
But,my inner-…