Albert's Cafe

1541 Webster St
Alameda, CA 94501

Countess A. writes: Albert's is a SMALL, quirky, diner with good basic Americano style breakfast.  I have always had a great experience.  When you walk into this cafe its layout is very clear that Albert's is not suitable for out of control toddlers.

With that in mind…

Premier Staffing
Neighborhood: Financial District

111 Sutter Street
Suite 550
San Francisco, CA 94104

Mary F. writes: I'm getting a bit tired of being a jobless little dilettante and with a few weeks left before I flee the country, I turned to the kind folks at Premier Staffing for some short term work.

The place seemed well run and off the bat, the staff was…

The Meadows
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Rockridge

6307 College Ave
Oakland, CA 94618

MiRIAM w. writes: Turns out there's something even better than receiving flowers.

It's giving them.

And thanks to The Meadows I got to feel how good it is to give when they helped me send a "HUGE, gorgeous bouquet of flowers" (her description) to a wonderful friend of…

John Bentley's

2915 El Camino Real
Redwood City, CA 94061

Alain K. writes: Short and sweet. Food is fantastic and Bob at the bar brings back the style of bartender we have all been  missing.
Appetizer I had a Watermelon, avocado and crab salad.... yes I know watermelon and crab? Damn that was so good.
Entree..... Veal…

Lacis Museum
Neighborhood: South Berkeley

2982 Adeline St
Berkeley, CA 94703

TL C. writes: A lace museum? How cool is that?
very!

New Star-Ell Liquor
Neighborhood: Western Addition/NOPA

501 Divisadero Street
San Francisco, CA 94117

laura b. writes: I came in here tonight to buy the sexy invalid, Maria D., an evian and some zig-zags.  For er, writing notes.  They are like post-its but worse!  I picked up a Duvel and some vegan cookies for myself.  You see, I'm thinking of starting a vegan bakery…

Robotspeak
Neighborhood: Lower Haight

589 1/2 Haight St
San Francisco, CA 94117

Thomas F. writes: This is by far one of the best toy stores in San Francisco!

Robotspeak is to an audio geek, what Good Vibrations is to women.

They have everything from audio interfaces, audio & MIDI sequencing software, software synths, virtual instruments, keyboards,…

Sapore Italiano Restaurant

1447 Burlingame Ave
Burlingame, CA 94010

Gracie-C Y. writes: A place like Sapore appeals to the geriatric in me.

There are times when I just wanna get a good meal without all the parking hassles and hullabaloo of the big city.  You know, on Friday night when your bones are all creaky and you just want a quiet…

Fillmore Hardware Company
Neighborhood: Pacific Heights

1930 Fillmore Street
San Francisco, CA 94115

Genevieve Y. writes: Date & Time:  Sunday June 22, 2008 @ 1:30-ish pm
Company:  Jin A.
Crowd:  Mixed Neighborhood Peeps
Decor:  Aisles & Aisles of Hardare Stuff w/ Cute Trinkets thrown in.
Service:  Very Nice, Friendly, Helpful.
Purchase:  Paint, Sandpaper, Brush
Notes:  One…

Jivano's Cutlery
Neighborhood: Mission

3674 18th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

Katrina D. writes: I've never met anyone who was more "dude" than Jivano (the "J" is decidedly unsilent just in case you're tempted to Spanish it up). And I mean "dude" in the sense of the Big Lebowski hero rather than in the pizza & beer, sporty khakis homophobe vein…

Prima Ristorante & Wine Merchants

1522 N Main St
Walnut Creek, CA 94596

Michael M. writes: This restaurant is quite deceptive. From the outside, it looks like a quaint little Italian restaurant. When you walk inside, you realize that the place is HUGE and super swanky. I felt very underdressed, but the hostesses didn't mind at all. We…

Lululemon

1111 Burlingame Avenue
Burlingame, CA 94010

Paulina C. writes: i love the name of the store...i love the friendly and helpful staff...i love everything in and about lululemon.  some people might say workout clothes are workout clothes, they are all the same.  

i beg to differ.  

so why do i love thee so much? the…

Sweet Delite Gourmet Foods Company
Neighborhood: Inner Richmond

519 Clement St
San Francisco, CA 94118

Steph P. writes: Recently, I was overcome with an intense craving for two very distinct things that are not widely available: durian and boba (tapioca drink). Lo-and-behold, after some wandering around my favorite street in SF, I came upon Sweet Delite Gourmet Food.…

Terra Mia Ceramic Studios
Neighborhood: Noe Valley

1314 Castro Street
San Francisco, CA 94114

Bucky K. writes: Paintbrush: Check
Paint: Check
Sponge: Check
Smock: Check
Turntable/Lazy Susan: Check
Ceramic Bowl: Check
Manliness: Yeah, I am gonna have to check  that at the door and pick it up on the way out.

We got invited to a little Yelp soiree here and had a great…

Manivanh Thai Restaurant
Neighborhood: Mission

2732 24th St
San Francisco, CA 94110

bloopie s. writes: Ode to Manivanh:
(Zoolander style)

Your thai iced tea was perfect.
So creamy and sweet
like a river of caramel
but not as gooey
or thick

Your vegetarian menu is copious.
The tofu was fried so crispy and soft
how could it be both
i wondered?
but it was.
and the…

Sundance Coffee
Neighborhood: Potrero Hill, Dogpatch

2295 3rd St
San Francisco, CA 94107

jessica t. writes: Sundance is a really wonderful addition to the area.

Marina's right - their chai latte (both iced and hot) is amazing. Whenever I'm in the area, and looking for a good place to kick back and relax - Sundance is a perfect stop.

I always get their chai,…

The Terrace at the Ritz-Carlton
Neighborhood: Nob Hill

600 Stockton St
San Francisco, CA 94108

MiRIAM w. writes: As soon as you emerge from the elevator, the air of sophistication captures you. Ladies who lunch and important (or so they think themselves to be) men in suits glide by as you wait for your lunch companion. The hostess speaks frantically to a server…

Progressive Grounds Cafe
Neighborhood: Mission

2301 Bryant Street
San Francisco, CA 94110

Bruce R. writes: Adding to the "5" love here!  All my favorite cafe needs
1) FREE Wifi
2) Independent, but not anarchist
3) Hip, but not snobby
4) Good coffee
5) Vibe Good

'nuf said!

Bernal Yoga
Neighborhood: Bernal Heights

461 Cortland Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94110

jill k. writes: while in the process of parking on a hill this evening, my foot did a terrible thing: it FLINCHED!

... and my car slid just enough to bump the car in front of it!

well, i'd never been in an accident before, so needless to say, i was shocked,…

Bare Escentuals
Neighborhood: Lakeside

3251 20th Avenue
Suite 155
San Francisco, CA 94132

Juliane N. writes: I admit when I was younger, I always had blemishes on my face. I didn't want to use those liquid foundations because it just feels like you're pasting on paint... I hate how they get onto your clothes and drip when you get sweaty and hot.

I've been…

Titanic Exhibit at the Metreon
Neighborhood: SOMA

101 4th Str
4th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94103

Kristina R. writes: This exhibit ROCKS!  But not just because of the cool artifacts and Titanic mumbo-jumbo...proceeds go to the SFUSD.  You're paying my salary by seeing this exhibit!  (on my knees)  Puh-leeze?

We were on our way to see Superman Returns, but the…

Blarney Stone
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond

5625 Geary Blvd
San Francisco, CA 94121

Kathryn T. writes: NOW THIS IS AN IRISH PUB!

I drank several Irish whiskies

I saw the live Irish band.

I heard a guy playing the bagpipes.

I saw an Irishman doing the Irish jig.

I saw a black Irishman doing the Irish jig.

IT'S GOT TO BE AN IRISH PUB, RIGHT?

So,  why was…

Gelateria Naia
Neighborhood: North Beach/Telegraph Hill

520 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133

Ed U. writes: Damn, the Brady Bunch just multiplied exponentially and landed in Naia...it's amazing what a combination of fertility drugs and a Wal-Mart discount card can do to produce progeny that falls slightly north of white trash.

Regardless, my friend and I…

Specialty's Cafe & Bakery
Neighborhood: Financial District

1 Post Street
San Francisco, CA 94105

genevieve g. writes: i would first like to preface this review with the prounouncement that i am not a health food lifestyle hippy.  i wear synthetic fibers.  i eat beef with great gusto (though i do prefer free-range).  i cannot stand jam bands.  i enjoy sugary baked…

Alameda Fourth of July Parade

winding through the streets...
Alameda, CA 94501

laura b. writes: I've walked in this parade.  More than once.

Oops. I accidently erased this review and I don't have the patience or creativity to re-write it.  I am an asshole.

Steve's Auto Care

744 San Pablo Avenue
Albany, CA 94706

Gilberto Y. writes: Hmmmm.  Which came first?  The chicken or the egg?

Is a mechanic honest cuz he doesn't need your business, or does a mechanic get plenty of business cuz he's honest?

Does it matter?  Nah!  But I'm gonna guess the latter in Steve's case.

Check engine…

Tapioca Express

2306 B Encinal Ave.
Alameda, CA 94501

Delilah P. writes: It's 10 o'clock at night and I'm in my pajamas. My apartment is still radiating heat like an Easy Bake Oven with a 100 watt bulb.  I'm sweaty...I contemplate wandering down the block for a refreshingly smooth Honeydew Snowbubble. The name itself…

La Farine Bakery
Neighborhood: East Solano Ave, North Berkeley

1820 Solano Ave
Berkeley, CA 94707

Kate A. writes: Let me tell you how much I love La Farine rustic baguettes. I love them so much that when I used to live in Pasadena, I would come to La Farine when visiting my parents, buy about 20 baguettes, bring them home, cut them up, and freeze them so that I…

Registered Nurses

Union City, CA 94587

Kristina R. writes: My appendix was taken out two years ago and it hurt like a muthaf%#er, man.  I kid you not.  And it took MONTHS for them to figure out I had a big ol' oven-mitt sized infected internal organ inside me.  That was ROUGH.  

The first time I went to…

Piazza Italia Cafe

321 Primrose Rd
Burlingame, CA 94010

Heather C. writes: I am SO glad I finally came here.  It's been lurking in my bookmarks as a constant reminder...

I ordered the soup de jure (vegetable soup), chicken pesto panini, and hot chocolate - to share.  The panini was absolutely magnificent - pillowy soft yet…

Mints Floral Design Studio

1336A Park St
Alameda, CA 94501

laura b. writes: Mints is the cutest shop I've ever been in.  It's so cute it should be in Carmel or Mystic or some shit, you know?  So cute!  They are basically a full service florist so you can stop in and buy a plant or bouquet or you can have them um, flower-fy…

Lavorini Dental Care

363 15th St
Oakland, CA 94612

Ed U. writes: If you can believe it, I have been seeing Gloria for...gasp....22 years! Gee that's about 44 check-ups and cleanings, maybe 20 more visits for extra work, a couple more for that nasty root canal during the early Clinton years. Jobs, friends and…

O'Hanlon Motorcycles
Neighborhood: SOMA

162 Clara St
San Francisco, CA 94107

matt n. writes: awesome shop. completely trustworthy and highly recommended for any motorcycle repair needed. super knowledgeable and easy going. takes the time to explain problems and remedies without the attitude found at other shops. don't hesitate for a moment…

Costello's Four Deuces
Neighborhood: Parkside

2319 Taraval St
San Francisco, CA 94116

Prima D. writes: I don't mind trollops as long as they are pretty trollops. ugly girls should not be trollops. ugly girls should be silent and sip their pints. otherwise they become g'damn annoying.

first impression: dyke bar. but the pours are good.

Abigail's Bakery & Cafe
Neighborhood: Marina/Cow Hollow

2120 Greenwich St
San Francisco, CA 94123

phil h. writes: Wow, what a find!  Abigail's is cuter than a litter of fresh puppies. I stopped in today for lunch and had a fantastic ahi tuna salad that had a huge slab of freshly seared ahi served over some simply dressed lettuce. Yum. Did I mention that it was…

Cash

San Francisco, CA 94109

Kristina R. writes: Never heard of it.

Beans

San Francisco, CA 94101

Gourmet G. writes: Eating beans
Will make you fart
And get you space
When riding BART.

Huong Tra

12221 San Pablo Ave
#8
Richmond, CA 94805

Rinky A. writes: Thanks Tim C for your review.  I'm not sure why we haven't been here for years,. but we had lunch here today.

I asked if they could make me a veggie banh mi sandwich and they did.
They used sauteed tofu with their fillings of cucumber, cilantro and…

Old People

San Francisco, CA 94121

Cidne W. writes: Oh Lawd help me.

Why does this keep happening?   Will someone please pass me the Kinsey report because every time I am around folks in their 70's and 80's, I cannot help but wonder:

Do they still play with it?

Especially little old ladies who are alone…

Sahn Maru
Neighborhood: North Oakland, Temescal

4315 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94701

Joshua L. writes: Do you smell that??? No, not that! Yuck.  

Ahh... Yes, that.

That's the smell of NICENESS. Unlike at Koryo across the street, the ladies here are all so friendly and warm! And I've noticed that lately, they've gotten some really hot Korean male…