Dr. Lynn Mieger, DDS
Neighborhood: Financial District

115 Sansome Street
Suite 1000
San Francisco, CA 94104

jessica t. writes: I, like nearly everyone, HATE to go to the dentist. I hate the sterile environment and the self-esteem blows, pounded into me, by a distant white-cloaked dentist of doom.

"You NEED to floss more. You NEED to brush more. YOU ARE A HORRIBLE HORRIBLE…

City Arts & Lectures
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

Herbst Theatre
401 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102

Kristina R. writes: City Arts & Lectures is more my hubby's kind of venue.  Very class A stuff, too.  The theater is a bit like sitting in a packed airplane, and you can't really move much without being in danger of kicking someone in front of you in the head.  

But it's…

Gelato Classico Italian
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

576 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94133

Genevieve Y. writes: Date & Time:  Saturday June 14, 2008 In between Musical Acts at The North Beach Fest
Company:  Kam, Michael & Canine Jack
Crowd:  Line out The Door of Cute Couples & Groups of Guys & Girls
Atmosphere:  Classic Italian Gelato Place
Decor:  Just a Counter…

Digital Pickle
Neighborhood: SOMA

1256 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Christina B. writes: I love digital pickle!!! I had them digitize my wedding photos and they turned out great.  Not only are they professional but fast too (two day turn around)!  I was leery trusting anyone with my negatives, but I could tell from how they handled them…

David Sedaris

San Francisco, CA 94101

Kristina R. writes: His reading of the chapter in his book called, "Stadium Pal" nearly made me need a "Stadium Pal."

But really, the only reason he gets five stars is because Ellen M. made me join the David Sedaris Yahoo Cult...I mean "group", and I am now obligated…

Soko Hardware
Neighborhood: Japantown, Pacific Heights

1698 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Josua P. writes: You ever need a key copied, a roll of duct tape and toilet plunger? You go to the hardware store, right. Well if you need a key copied, a roll of duct tape, some bento boxes, Japanese paper lanterns, sushi knives and a kimono then you go to Soko…

Ferry Building Marketplace
Neighborhood: Embarcadero

1 Ferry Bldg
San Francisco, CA 94111

Janney B. writes: Have you heard of the "Janney B. Ferry Building Curse?"  

Legend has it, that if you come here for a first date with me, there will not be a second.  Not because you'll go missing and your body will be dredged from the Bay three weeks later, but…

Paper Tree
Neighborhood: Japantown, Pacific Heights

1743 Buchanan Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Berna .. writes: I was in search of a Girl's Day/Birthday card for my sister Lori, and I stumbled upon this crowded little paper store that was stockpiled with beautiful specialty papers and other assorted goodies.  They have great handmade cards and an incredible…

Community Thrift Store
Neighborhood: Mission

625 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Jeremy W. writes: Some stuff I've bought over the years at The Thrift:

* Brooks Brothers tux in dead mint for less than $40.

* A&W Root Beer mug. I freaking LOVE these. If you see one, pick it up for me. And I will make you a float with the finest beer, made from the…

David & Friends Salon
Neighborhood: Union Square

555 Sutter Street
Suite 202
San Francisco, CA 94102

M The C .. writes: I love you, David.  And, yes, I did trim my bangs myself!

Cafe Van Kleef
Neighborhood: Uptown

1621 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94620

Tsada K. writes: I give props to the VK for being a venue classy enough for Karen N.'s FABULOUS Cleavage Night breast cancer fundraiser (Yay, Karen!), while having an atmosphere laid back enough for Adrienne G. to be able to hump my leg upon meeting me without anyone…

Shu Uemura
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

1971 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Josua P. writes: I came here to get my wife one of their famous eyelash curlers. The place is like a laboratory. It's very clean and austere but instead of beakers and vials there are rows of fake eyelashes and make-up and instead of nerds there are intimidatingly…

Aroma Bakery & Cafe
Neighborhood: Uptown

1900 Franklin Street
Oakland, CA 94612

Matthew P. writes: If Aromas had a shower, I wouldn't need to go anywhere else for anything.  

Everything is fresh, and delicious, and homemade and really affordable.  We are talking 1985 prices.  3 Stuffing breakfast croissant [2.35], fresh-brewed coffee (.75 .90…

City Lights
Neighborhood: SOMA

1585 Folsom St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Gourmet G. writes: If you can't find a lamp or lighting fixture you like here, you deserve to sit in the dark.

Hai Ky Mi Gia
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

707 Ellis St
San Francisco, CA 94109

May T. writes: after a grueling hike up mount diablo today to the top of one of the peaks, as soon as i stepped off the escalator at BART, i knew what i wanted:

free-range chicken soup with thin egg noodles. in the bowl, there is a combo of white and dark meat with…

Grace Cathedral
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

1100 California St.
San Francisco, CA 94108

Keane L. writes: I'll never understand the unquestioning conviction people hold about something as vast as God. It's not that I don't believe in God, rather I don't presume an understanding of its thoughts and intentions. If an entity could craft something as…

Giant Robot
Neighborhood: Haight-Ashbury

618 Shrader Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

Stanley K. writes: It all started when I saw Choco and Minty art toy in June Edition, Todo magazine.

It was love at first sight. When you see these two crazy looking whack out creature, you know you can't leave them in the box or better yet in a store to be look at.…

Bay Wolf
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Piedmont Ave

3853 Piedmont Ave
Oakland, CA 94611

Bucky K. writes: Dearest East Bay,
    I am not sure how to say this so I will put it in words I think you will understand. Here we go: I'm hella* sorry I slept on you for so long. My bad yo. You on full blast now.
                                                 …

Davies Symphony Hall
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Civic Center/Tenderloin

201 Van Ness Ave
San Francisco, CA 94102

phillip w. writes: Ive never been here before...my lady had obtained some tickets and we came here to watch the Quarntango. It was wonderful and I enjoyed it quite so. I totally recommend it...in the midst of their performance they also had two dancers..so it was a…

Belle Cose
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

2036 Polk Street
San Francisco, CA 94109

Suzanne B. writes: I want to curl up in a square of sunshine inside this place and somehow become the store cat.  It's the kind of establishment that deserves a store cat --- probably a small 'prussian blue' gray cat with gold eyes and a tendency to observe from a high…

DLX Skateboards & Clothing Store
Neighborhood: Hayes Valley, Mission

1831 Market St
San Francisco, CA 94103

Justin C. writes: As a loyal DLX customer for many years, I can safely say that this is the only place you need to go to get your skateboard equipment.

They consistently have the best prices on decks, with all the local brands you know and love.

Real, Anti-Hero,…

Marina Morrison
Neighborhood: Union Square

30 Maiden Ln
San Francisco, CA 94108

Kristina R. writes: Absolutely beautiful wedding gowns, ranging from the couple of thousands to astronomically high prices.  It's best to make an appointment, since they're often busy with several brides at once.  It's couture, for sure.  (I can't help rhyming stuff...I…

Schubert's Bakery
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond

521 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118

maria d. writes: I used to work at a place where 95% percent of the employees were women and being women, they felt it was their natural duty to celebrate every single person's birthday, even if said person didn't disclose the date to the rest of us. These bitches…

Pagolac
Neighborhood: Civic Center/Tenderloin

655 Larkin St
San Francisco, CA 94109

Elena S. writes: This is a place where you can have a fantastically cheap meal, stuff yourself silly, and feel incredibly healthy.  Pagolac is my new Vietnamese obsession.  This jewel sits under a filthy little awning but has one of the cleanest kitchens I've ever…

Park SFO

195 N Access Rd
San Francisco, CA 94128

JeFF T. writes: Cheap and close to SFO.  Shuttles seem to come and go every 10 minutes.  Sign up for their emails and get 2 days free when you park for 3 days (5 day total), which equates to less than $8/day incl. tax.  I haven't had any problems here...yet.  They…

Cha-Ya Vegetarian Japanese Restaurant
Neighborhood: Gourmet Ghetto, North Berkeley

1686 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709

Christopher S. writes: I used to live across the street from this Cha-Ya; I remember always seeing massive lines out the door for this place.  I thought to myself, "Suckers!  It's not even real sushi - there's no fish!"  Ah, only in Berkeley...

Well, I finally went there…

Addison Salon
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2321 Pine St
San Francisco, CA 94115

Liz S. writes: Addison the salon is a lovely place, and Addison the owner is a lovely man.

I came to know Addison salon in an unusual way, but I have found that many great experiences have come to me through unexpected channels.

I used to be quite the…

The Black Horse London Pub
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

1514 Union St
San Francisco, CA 94123

Lula Mae W. writes: Charmed.  I am absolutely charmed.   If this pub asked me to dinner, I would blush and giggle and then run out to buy a new outfit and maybe even a pretty bra (because I'm thinking you are totally gonna get to second, Black Horse...).  

I've been…

Bullshead Restaurant

840 Ulloa Street
San Francisco, CA 94127

Nelson W. writes: This place was/is recommended by my good friend Phil Roast Beef.  As you might imagine, if your friend is named Phil Roast Beef says a place has good meat, it probably does.  If you're really lucky, you can actually go to said place WITH Phil Roast…

Joanna Shell, L.Ac.

3580 California Strret
Suite 201
San Francisco, CA 94118

Amy W. writes: If you've considered acupuncture, I definitely recommend Joanna. She has a way of easing any concerns. I first went to see Joanna for back pain. After one visit, I was truly amazed at the difference...I was skeptical of acupuncture, but willing to…

Ginger's Trois
Neighborhood: Financial District

246 Kearny St
San Francisco, CA 94108

Nish N. writes: You know the term man's man? Well Ginger's is a bar's bar. And yes, I know the sordid past of this watering hole. It's dark, almost musty, a bit seedy, and it seems like Time sort of forgot about it.

Happy hour is the best time to go - they open the…

Your Best Skin
Neighborhood: Laurel Heights

3516 Sacramento St Suite 13
San Francisco, CA 94118

Jeanne H. writes: Sue Upton of Your Best Skin is a fantastic esthetician. She has helped me with rosacea, broken capillaries, and waxing!  She is friendly, funny and very easy to be around, making an appointment with her more fun than anything else. She also has…

Nest
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

2300 Fillmore St
San Francisco, CA 94115

Kristina R. writes: What a dangerously cute lil' store!  And I do mean DANGEROUS.  I walk in and I want to buy EVERYTHING.  Watch your savings accounts, people.  This place is like a money pit from Hell.  But like a Martha Stewarty kind of Hell.

Also, they have the…

Jamba Juice
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2066 Chestnut St
San Francisco, CA 94123

The Artful Dodger S. writes: I lost my voice.  I feel like shit.  I am starting to feel better, so while running errands I thought to myself:  self, let's go get jamba juice.  

I was overly excited at the thought of frozen juicy goodness on my sore throat, when alas!  

Jamba juice…

MaggieMudd
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

903 Cortland Ave
San Francisco, CA 94110

Starla D. writes: They have vegan ice cream.  Not made from real vegans.  
There are a lot of flavors.  I want to try every one, and move to Bernal Heights and get TIVO and buy a BMW and eat only MaggieMudd's vegan ice cream every day and not get fat.  And I want  a…

Pixar

1200 Park Ave
Emeryville, CA 94608

Toni M. writes: Alan and I just saw "WALL-E" and it moved me to write this review of Pixar.  I haven't seen all their films, but I have loved the ones I have.  I saw "Toy Story" when I was going through an impending job change that was out of my control and was very…

Minako Organic Japanese Restaurant
Neighborhood: Mission

2154 Mission St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Toro E. writes: UPDATED (18 July 2006)

While Minkako's is My favorite Japanese restaurant in the city, Minako's is NOT FOR EVERYONE.  

REASON 1:  They boldly make minimal effort to Americanize taste of their dishes.  Minako's provides authentic home-style Japanese…

Sweeties
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

475 Francisco Street
San Francisco, CA 94133

Drue C. writes: If you blink you will miss this place.

That is a blessing in disguise in the hustle and bustle of the North Beach/Wharf area. This has to be one of the most chill places I have been to. It is what I would imagine my rec room to look like, should I…

Cameron's Restaurant & Inn

1410 Cabrillo Hwy S
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Bevy M. writes: I must have driven past this place at least 100 times before it finally occured to me that it might just be fun to try it.  So glad I did -- it is delightful, a bit of England right on the coast.  

Enormous beer selection, burgers, fish-n-chips,…