Genova Delicatessen
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Temescal

5095 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609

andy r. writes: My favorite Italian deli this side of the Hudson.

For about a decade, I've made frequent sojourns across the bridge to Genova for their magnificent sandwiches. If it's Italian and it's edible you'll likely find a variation or five here. The selection…

Good Vibrations
Neighborhood: Mission

603 Valencia Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Starla D. writes: My blind date was running a bit late so I decided to stop in here.  
While perusing the rubber penis wall, I was struck by the fact that I was surrounded by couples and one old man casually flipping through the "cunt" book.  
I suddenly realized that…

Cost Plus World Market
Neighborhood: Fisherman's Wharf

2552 Taylor Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

gwynnie p. writes: There is nothing that you really need at Cost Plus, but it is a fun place to take a spin through.

Other specialty markets have taken the wind out of their sails re: international food items and discount wine....however.......

THEY HAVE THE FRESHEST…

Ichiban Kan
Neighborhood: Japantown, Pacific Heights

1625 Post St
Miyako Mall 22 Peace Plz, Ste 540
San Francisco, CA 94115

Kristina R. writes: I'm taking one star off because I bought a doo-dad here and seriously hurt myself with it.  

Not only is everything seductively super duper cheap, they put cute lil' big-headed animals on everything here, and the marketing is very deceptive.

I don't…

Kiehl's
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2360 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

May T. writes: In grade school, they called me the Human Ironing Board because I was about as flat as one from the backside. Now, it wouldn't have been such a big deal except I also had other wonderful nicknames like "Fish Lips", "Stretch" and "Lurch." Boys always…

East Bay Restaurant Supply
Neighborhood: Lake Merritt

49 4th St
Oakland, CA 94607

maiko h. writes: Maybe you invited the whole neighborhood for a crawfish boil and need a 30 quart pot.  Maybe the no-good roommate you kicked out took all your kitchen stuff.  Or maybe you want to see a giant polar bear.  All of these needs can be satisfied by going…

Takara Sake USA

708 Addison Street
Berkeley, CA 94710

Kathleen W. writes: I like:

free stuff
booze
Berkeley
japanese people

Takara, has all 4.  Go there, partake of their sake, pretend you can taste a difference between the organic and the regular sake. Tour the museum, throw a penny into the bucket, buy a bottle and go drink…

Freddie's Sandwiches
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

300 Francisco Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Theron L. writes: Great sandwiches.  Good selection of fillings.  Good service.

I live less than a block from here.  It sometimes takes them a while to make your sandwich so I recommend calling it in.

Enjoy.

Golden Gate Fortune Cookies
Neighborhood: Nob Hill, Chinatown

56 Ross Alley
San Francisco, CA 94108

Bucky K. writes: "You want sexy fortune cookie?"
I, ah.....
"You want sexy fortune cookie?"
Ummm....uuhhhh.
Do I say yes and end up in some back room, blindfolded and strapped to a table? Do I say no and risk offending the sweet looking lady working the fortune cookie…

Lyle Tuttle Tattooing
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

841 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

Jebidiah Johosephat J. writes: Greetings my friendly neighborhood smurfs and smurfettes.  I'm here once again to blow some'more hot-air from my piehole to yours.  Check the technique... I got my 2 tattoos here about 4- 5 years ago.  Nevertheless, my experience here was nothing…

Angel Fish Japanese Restaurant

883 Island Dr
Ste C-2
Alameda, CA 94502

Sammy S. writes: As we pull into the parking lot for an early bird dinner at Angelfish, booty man says to me in confusion "I don't see it, where is it? What's it called again? Whisper Willow?"

"Yeah hon, it's called Whisper Willow," I squeaked out through fits of…

Cover To Cover Booksellers
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

1307 Castro St
San Francisco, CA 94114

Kristina R. writes: What a great place.  Tracy and Mark are two of the nicest, funniest people I know.  If the book isn't in stock, it'll be there in two or so days.  There's really no good excuse not to support the small businesses in your neighborhood.  Yeah, Borders…

Tucker's Super Creamed Ice Cream

1349 Park St
Alameda, CA 94501

Joshua L. writes: I had a really bad experience here as a teenager. I still remember it all this time because it got me so angry and I felt really powerless and small at the time it happened.

I was working full-time on the weekends as an Office Assistant and had walked…

Ma Pinkie's BBQ & Soul Food

207 North Amphlett Blvd
San Mateo, CA 94401

Melissa C. writes: This place is so freaking good!! If you want bbq, you gotta go here. The ribs are about the best ribs I've ever had, with the fried chicken coming very close. For sides, we had the bbq beans, red beans and rice, potato salad, green beans and mac and…

Point Bonita Lighthouse

Bunker Rd
Fort Barry, Bldg 948
Sausalito, CA 94966

John T. writes: If you ever need to entertain out of town friends or relatives, I highly recommend you drive them here. It's so beautiful I almost wept with joy, until I remembered that I'm a MAN, so I spit on the ground and fired random bullets into the sky…

Ristorante Bacco
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

737 Diamond St
San Francisco, CA 94114

andy r. writes: There's no logical reason why we don't eat here more often. It's nearby. We buy pasta at the shop next door twice a week.  Friends and family from out of town always request repeat visits. I always feel like I need a special occasion to eat here…

Teuscher Chocolate
Neighborhood: Union Square

307 Sutter Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Mitzie H. writes: After visiting Ghirardelli and almost vomiting from their new peanut butter milk chocolate I was scared of the chocolate in San Francisco.  Than I visited Recchiuti Confections and tasted their delicious S'mores, I thought OK San Francisco chocolate…

Noe Valley Bakery & Bread Company
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

4073 24th Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Steph P. writes: Background:
Past research by the principal investigator has demonstrated that consumption of cupcakes is significantly linked with feelings of euphoria and mild insanity (but the good kind). Additionally, field research in NYC has compared various…

Ted's Market
Neighborhood: SOMA

1530 Howard St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Eric S. writes: You know what kind of people are really stupid? The ones who think that the more expensive something is, the better it must be.  Lucky for me (and hopefully you), Ted's is not a place to worry about running into these people because not only do they…

Dr. Ralph E. Hoffman, DMD - Sunset Dentistry
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

919 Irving St
Suite 101
San Francisco, CA 94122

Rachel G. writes: Yelp's power never ceases to amaze me.  

Having just moved to the Sunset, I was in need of a new dentist.  

Naturally I turned to the internet.  Who do people love on Yelp?  Dr. Hoffman, that's who!  Conveniently located a mere 10 blocks from my new…

Yogurt Park
Neighborhood: UC Campus Area, Telegraph Ave

2433A Durant Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704

Liz G. writes: I have given up on Yogurt Park because this always happens.

My brain: I DESERVE YOGURT
Me: No you don't.
My brain: YES I DO BECAUSE I (one of: walked up some stairs / finished something at work / didn't accomplish anything at all and therefore need…

King Foot Submarine
Neighborhood: Lower Haight

258 Divisadero St
San Francisco, CA 94117

jessica t. writes: Honey mustard! This place could have made a killing if they'd remembered the secret ingredient to a truly perfect turkey and cheese sandwich  - HONEY MUSTARD!

Since I moved into my new place a couple of months ago, I have yet to buy groceries. It's…

Yumi Yogurt

3955 S El Camino Real
San Mateo, CA 94403

Paulina C. writes: after losing a fan, i went to yumi.  i didn't fret.  i celebrated!  i treated myself to some delishus yogurt to remind me:

i. am. fabulous.

and i deserve something sweet and yum(m)i.  

actually i do this alot.  if i've received a "D" for an exam, i…

Wolford Boutiques
Neighborhood: Union Square

115 Maiden Ln
San Francisco, CA 94108

Wesley J. writes: bar none - the best hosiery for ladies in the whole world!  Bring your credit cards though because they ain't cheap....

Missing Sock Laundry
Neighborhood: Russian Hill

1958 Hyde Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

wendella a. writes: The Missing Sock was always cute and cleverly named but had recently started to royally piss me off with quarter-inhaling dryers that didn't work, leaving behind soggy loads. (Purposely avoiding 7th grade "soggy load" joke, however tempting) Lord…

Urban Beauty Skin Care
Neighborhood: Outer Sunset

1308 20th Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94122

Angela K. writes: One of my funniest memories of Sandy involved her admonishing me to stop squirming and squealing in pain as she extracted those blackheads from my face. "Chinese people don't feel pain," she hissed, "so don't embarrass yourself like that.." And…

Holy Land Kosher Food
Neighborhood: Lakeshore, Lower Hills

677 Rand Ave
Oakland, CA 94610

Nikki c. writes: It's a 3.5.  The pita is so good it embarrasses other pita.  I had to come home and throw away the bread product claiming to be "pita" at my house because it just couldn't compare.  I am now a pita snob.  

The staff is super friendly.  The food was…

BevMo!
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA

3445 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94118

Peter M. writes: OH MY GOD!  I came here to get some beverages and found out they had a whole lot More.  Five Stars!

Banh Mi Ba Le Vietnamese Sandwich Deli

10174 San Pablo Ave
El Cerrito, CA 94530

Chelsea W. writes: I'm such a huge fan of this place.  It truly has a special place in my heart.  When I discovered that there were finely prepared bahn mi ten minutes from my house I felt blessed.  I've had bahn mi, Vietnamese sandwiches, at plenty of other locations…

Lavish
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley

540 Hayes Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

Paulina C. writes: L ovely little boutique on hayes
A dorable baby outfits that make you wanna have babies - lots of babies; it got me                thinking....i want at least four, i think i got the hips for it :)
V ery cute tote bags and wrapping paper
I love their…

Astaria

50 E 3rd Ave
San Mateo, CA 94401

kim n. writes: Definitely a sleeper in downtown San Mateo. Yes the clientele maybe more on the lines of older housewives trying to figure out how to spend their husbands executive salaries but the food is tasty enough to overlook that.  Had an excellent roasted red…

Oaklandish
Neighborhood: Jack London Square

411 2nd St
Oakland, CA 94620

laura b. writes: In addition to being a gallery/community space/party loft/cluster fuck/space ship/coffee shop/etc, Oaklandish has an online shop (used to be a real life shop!) run by privileged post collegiate white boys flunkies in Oakland who are high on the…

Mariachi's Taqueria
Neighborhood: Mission

508 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Ed U. writes: Is that Elton on the jukebox?...

Don't give me none of your aggravation
I had it with your discipline
Saturday night's alright for porking
Get a few calories in
Get as stuffed as Kirstie Alley
Gonna set the Mission alight
'Cause Saturday night's the night I…

Richard Light
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Mission

1807 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103

May W. writes: Despite being a long time friend, Richard Light has treated myself and all that i send his way with the utmost of professionalism, and sincerity.  His thoughtful application of myriad techniques, leave me than better before.  Managing copious amounts…

Giordano Bros.
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

303 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

Josie M. writes: this is a good date place to test how cool your chick is. (although maybe not first date - she might think you're cheap!)

is she okay with carbs, salted meat, french fries, and messy coleslaw dripping all over her fingers?  can she tie her hair in a…

Chin's Sushi Bar & Restaurant
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond

4406 California St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Ali R. writes: Chin's is what I like to consider, "More than fabulous." Why?? Here are just a few of their stellar options:

Fun Rolls:
-The Daniel Roll - a must have. Can challenge your chopstick skills as it is a looser roll with the avocado on the outside, but it…

Lahore Karahi
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

612 O'Farrell St
San Francisco, CA 94109

laura b. writes: Makes me re-think my 5 star dedication to any other Indian/Pakistani restaurant in this city.  I give out a lot of 5 stars because well, I thrive on approval, it's a sickness of mine, by the way, did i mention how lovely you look today?  

But for…

Mont Blanc
Neighborhood: Union Square, Civic Center/Tenderloin

120 Grant Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94108

Darin I. writes: The service at this store is excellent.  No pressure to buy.  They also let you ogle, fondle, and most importantly use the pens until you are ready to make a decision.  Give the nib a good workout; don't just sign your name twenty times.  Make sure…

East Ocean Seafood Restaurant Alameda

1713 Webster St
Alameda, CA 94501

grace m. writes: PARKING:
is a bitch. you'd have to have hawkish skillz to get parking behind this restaurant.  Good luck finding street parking

FOOD:
glorious and cheap.  love it.  HELLA Chinese families here, so you know the food is good.  

SERVICE:
watch out for the…

Betsey Johnson
Neighborhood: Union Square, Civic Center/Tenderloin

160 Geary St
San Francisco, CA 94108

laura b. writes: i squeezed my fat ass into a bridesmaid dress here the other day.  that was satisfying seeing as i am currently very much a fat ass.

it is a cute dress...a little too, I AM BETSEY JOHNSON AND EVEN THOUGH I AM 102 YEARS OLD AND AM MADE OF BOTOX, I AM…