Sacred Rose Tattoo

1728 University Ave
Berkeley, CA 94703

celia m. writes: Who would have thought at my age I would be getting my second tattoo. Well I did and found Grace Tattoos to be the place to do it. My daughter and her friend were going to get "memorial" tatoos, my daughter and I for a dear friend who was taken from…

Sheila Kelley's S Factor
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2159 Filbert St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Vanessa G. writes: This place highly, highly exceeded my expectations.  I honestly thought I was going to learn how to be a stripper and pole dancer.  I thought I'd be cheesy and awkward and silly and ranchy and corny, but it was like a playground for grown-up women.…

My House

San Francisco, CA 94118

Joan S. writes: Downside:  no food in the fridge ever, noisy neighbors, too many stairs, termites, dry rot, wrinkled curtains, no A/C, too expensive.

Upside:  two blocks from the beach.

Mickey's Monkey
Neighborhood: Lower Haight

218 Pierce St
San Francisco, CA 94117

maria d. writes: A vintage store for nerds & weirdos who like old, odd stuff (like owl statues, glasses with pink elephants and jewelry boxes with creepy  pictures on them). Unlike some other, this place is not stuck in eternal, ugly mid-century hell (although they…

Other Change of Hobbit
Neighborhood: Downtown Berkeley

2020 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704

Berna .. writes: We passed by this dark bookstore with a sign saying they specialized in "science fiction/fantasy", I told my friend Candice that if I found anything in here even slightly interesting that my nerd-transformation was just about complete. (A year or two…

Minami Restaurant
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

1900 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94121

joe f. writes: i'm convinced that the chef at this place is a real-life hattori hanzo.

"This is my finest sword. If in your journey you should encounter God, God will be cut."

it's one of the few sushi places in the city that reminds me how excellent knifemanship…

Pizzeria Delfina
Neighborhood: Mission

3611 18th Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Autumn K. writes: Boys suck sometimes. This is a fact I learned a long time ago and which was reinforced once upon an awkward date at Pizzeria Delfina. Despite the side of head games and extra helping of passive-aggression that accompanied our meal, I thoroughly…

Sam Truong's 76
Neighborhood: Parkside

1855 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116

Joy A. writes: I was in the area and I needed gas. As I turned to get a fill up, a CHP pulled me over. DAMNIT! I already had a speeding ticket from a few days ago.

I asked the officer, "Sir? What did I do wrong? I wasn't speeding. I used my signal. I stopped. What…

Avatar's Punjabi Burritos

15 Madrona St
Mill Valley, CA 94941

Nish N. writes: Avatar's is as close to culinary nirvana as you might get. I recently had the pleasure of devouring a spicy lamb "burrito" from here. They use chapati for the bread, as opposed to a tortilla, and it holds the flavorful mix of succulent meat, rice and…

Costco

451 S Airport Blvd
South San Francisco, CA 94080

Janney B. writes: My parents bought me an Executive Membership so I would stop dating mean jerks and meet a nice jerk in the electronics section of Costco.  

I came here on Sunday at noon.  I had thought it wouldn't be crowded and I could glide through the store…

Mr. Pinkwhistle
Neighborhood: Union Square, Nob Hill

580 Bush Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

Ashleigh K. writes: Lots of marvelous things describe Mr. Pinkwhistle.  I like telling people the name of the salon and then telling them what street it's on.  Always comic relief.

I went there about two months ago to have some color correction done to my hair.  As I…

Kuya's Asian Cuisine

460 San Mateo Avenue
San Bruno, CA 94066

euge l. writes: dude, whole fried pigs leg.

no no no, not a severing. A WHOLE LEG!!!!! thats was just too fucking awesome.  loved that soy/vinegar accompanyment. yum.

edit : to clear up some confusion as usual, its a whole leg, cut into pieces, deep fried.

Visual Media Solutions

4239A 21st Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Valarie A. writes: I had an idea to have a postcard made up of the holidays I've taken over the past year.  I called a couple of other printers and they would only make a quantity of 500 or more...then I finally called John and he was more than happy to help make my…

Christie's

245 California Dr
Burlingame, CA 94010

Amélie P. writes: If I decide I want to eat enough breakfast to want to puke my guts out all over the place again, then I'll come back here.

My mother is in Texas right now helping her high school best friend with something about cabinets, so while they're off at…

Pet Food Express

6925 Mission St
Daly City, CA 94014

John G. writes: My dogs love this place (we'll, I like to think they do) as it is conveniently located where we live. It's like a 5 minute drive from our place for this one-stop-shop for everything your pet needs. The best part is the do-it-yourself doggie wash…

B & W Brake & Wheel Service Center
Neighborhood: Mission

3260 26th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Hannala T. writes: You know who drives the crap out of their vehicles?  Who goes up and down SF hills, stopping and starting and starting and stopping, all day long?  

Nooooooooooo, not cab drivers! They drive someone else's car so they could care less about the car…

Gene's Liquor
Neighborhood: Parkside

2201 Taraval Street
San Francisco, CA 94116

euge l. writes: ok the word is getting out now. yelpies like subcenter. i love subcenter. only problems is exactly that, too many mofos are eating subcenter. today, i stopped by to pick up lunch. its not that i dont like kids, but this kid in front of me was driving…

Dr. Yunus Kurtbay
Neighborhood: Inner Sunset

750 Irving Street
San Francisco, CA 94122

Chris B. writes: Kurtbay hooks a brotha from another motha up. Although I'm not related to him, and although I'm not a "brotha", he still did indeed bring out the bad ass skills(as if optomitrists have "mad" skillzz) in order to help me out.

I walked in, 1 week till…

The Ribbonerie
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights

3695 Sacramento St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Lolia S. writes: I had a terrible sinking feeling when I saw their Potrero location is now a lamp store.  Thankfully, the Ribbonerie isn't gone - it just moved to the other side of town and actually to a nicer shopping area (there weren't many retail stores near the…

Nature At Play

1375 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010

Jennifer B. writes: Love, love, love it!  Nature at Play is a sure bet for baby gifts, birthday goodies or any time you want to spoil your little rascal.  They have an amazing selection of baby blankets, wooden toys, puzzles, accessories, plus other unique "must haves".…

Jake's Steaks
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

3301 Buchanan St
San Francisco, CA 94123

kevo m. writes: I've never been to City of Brotherly Love but here's what I know about it.

- Will Smith The Fresh Prince of Bel Air
- Rocky
- Cream Cheese
- The Liberty Bell
- The Eagles! (Randall Cunningham, Reggie White)
- The Phillies (Mike Schmidt, Lenny Dykstra, and…

The Southern Cafe
Neighborhood: Dimond District, Lower Hills

2000 MacArthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94602

Ed U. writes: Good Will Hunting no mo'....

Good Will and goodwill, both kinds, can be found in this mmm-mmm-good restaurant over in Oakland's Fruitvale area. Will is the name of the friendly server who waited on me during what turned out to be one of the best…

Ensemble - Personal Image Consulting

San Francisco, CA 94101

Bob G. writes: Ever wanted a personal shopper? You don't have to be a celebrity to indulge yourself in the services of Jennifer Naylor and Rachel Fauman. They're friends of mine starting a San Francisco business as personal shoppers. If their own taste is anything…

The Bread Basket Bakery

7099 Mission St
Daly City, CA 94014

Mel P. writes: Whether you go in or not, just passing by you can smell that incredible smell that makes you think of home. Bread coming out of the oven, bread being made, bread to be eaten. They do have really good pan de sal bread! When I was young, my mom would…

Regis Salon

Stonestown Galleria
San Francisco, CA 94116

Bebe E. writes: So I chopped all my hair off.

WHAT WAS I THINKING?

how could I?  After the terrible hack job that got done on my hair two years ago, how could I remotely THINK, even in my WILDEST dreams to EVER cut my hair AGAIN?

trust me, it wasn't easy.
After getting…

Thinkers Cafe
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill

1631 20th St
San Francisco, CA 94107

Karen K. writes: this is my new cafe since its near my new job. its nice and friendly.  i see the same people in the morning and i'm getting to know all the names of the puppies and babies that roll thru.  they make a decent iced americano which is what i drink when…

Dol Ho
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

808 Pacific Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

wendella a. writes: Now that Lychee Garden is out of the dim sum trade, Dol Ho is my new default dumpling destination. Seasons change. Big, big thumbs up to their perfect har gow, sui mai and nicely done turnip cake. Shrimp with mixed veggie dumplings are great too. Not…

Real Food Company
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

3060 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94123

Kristina R. writes: The Real Food Company in my neighborhood closed down (insert sad face here.)

So on occasion, I stop by this Real Foods after doing a little window shopping on Union Street.  I usually pick up produce, and mostly fruit for the ankle-biters in my class.…

City of Hayward

Hayward, CA 94541

Anthony L. writes: City of Hayward, how I try to avoid thee. With almost nothing to do and hot ass weather when other cities are cooler, how is it that almost nowhere in sight is there a place with air condition other than Lucky's? I believe your weather sucks ass like…

San Francisco International Airport BART Station

SFO
San Francisco, CA 94128

Stanley K. writes: Brilliant! So what if it took me an hour from muni to Bart to SFO, it only cost me $6.

Give yourself an hour for transit times. Also be sure to check out 511.org for times and fares.

FYI, finding this on the airport might be a challenge and a far ways…

Fruition Day Spa
Neighborhood: West Portal

339A W Portal Ave
San Francisco, CA 94127

Dorothy S. writes: The minute I walked in, sat down, looked to my right and saw fruit floating in a cold pitcher of water, warm tea, and heaping bowl of Hershey's kisses, I was content waiting and taking in the various aromas of soy candles and body lotion.  The staff…

Jin Healing For Women
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

999 Powell Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

mia s. writes: This place does not smell anything like lavender or eucalyptus and they don't serve you cucumber water.  In fact, during my last massage there I heard the ding of a microwave and then smelled a very pungent seafood soup.  This was followed by a din…

Acme Surplus Store

5159 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94112

gwynnie p. writes: I came, I found the Carhartts, the staff was helpful and welcoming, I didn't have to go to the Lower Haight or the MIssion, or some downtown type neighborhood, there was ample street parking, I was happy.

Not a place for a lady to shop for herself but…

Medium Rare Records
Neighborhood: Castro

2310 Market Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

andy r. writes: I'm not so much for show tunes, but I am one to welcome the shattering of misconceptions-especially my own. Working in the music industry for the first half of the 90s has me somewhat jaded. And highly eclectic.

Walking down Market, I glanced into…

Great Wall Chinese Restaurant
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Rockridge

6247 College Avenue
Oakland, CA 94618

Kitty C. writes: I have fond memories of this place: Good food, casual atmosphere, etc. Particularly salient is the time my two guy friends Joe and Dan decided to have a "who is more manly because he can last the longest without drinking (or crying) eating spicy…

Breakfast At Tiffany's
Neighborhood: Portola

2499 San Bruno Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94134

Drue C. writes: So, I walked in expecting to see a socialite or two sporting some bling bling from my favorite jewelry store, or a mob boss who was getting some grub after a hand off downtown or at the very least a decorator who wanted to get into someones pants.…

CineArts @ Sequoia

25 Throckmorton Avenue
Mill Valley, CA 94942

mary r. writes: This is one of the only theaters in Marin where you can find a good indie flick.  Just recently I saw "Science of Sleep" here, but I've also seen "The Proposition" and "Wordplay" here in the last 6 months...just to give a general idea of what kind of…