Readers' Poll
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| lllustration by Mie Hommura |
It's all you, dear readers. The response to this year's Best of the Bay poll was overwhelming, and the array of nominations that stuffed our mail slot and streamed through our Web site was so impressive, we were tempted to create several new awards on the spot so all your varied Best Of choices could be honored. But rules are rules, and the winners of the preordained categories took the lead (although there were more than a few close races). This year, more than 7,000 of you pitched a ruckus for your Bay Area faves, voting in classic categories such as Best Nude Beach, Best Salsa Club, Best Vietnamese Sandwich, and Best Mechanic. Some of the winners came as no surprise; others knocked our socks off. Thank you for continuing to open our eyes to new (and vintage) wonders of the Bay and for reaffirming our belief that living here is an endless, mindblowing process of exploration and discovery. Cheers to all the winners below, to all the runners-up, and to you, voters, for championing the things you treasure.
Food and Drink
BEST NEW RESTAURANT
How does a casual, American-food restaurant come to be one of the most coveted reservations in town? Consistently friendly service, innovative cocktails, and a lofty, jaw-dropping decor are a great start, of course, but the food at NOPA is comfort all the way, as are the prices, a combination that keeps our readers going back again and again.
560 Divisadero, SF. (415) 864-8643, www.nopasf.com
BEST RESTAURANT THAT'S MORE THAN 25 YEARS OLD
Located in a stunning building that skirts the line between industrial and intimate, Zuni offers a menu that our readers love. The American bistro fare here is refined, comforting, and always tastier than you remembered.
1658 Market, SF. (415) 552-2522, www.zunicafe.com BEST CAFÉ
It's easy to while away your hours people-watching at Café Flore , a welcome dose of Euro-charm in the Castro. And it doesn't hurt that the café offers comfy outdoor seating, premium coffee, and blood orange mimosas by the pitcher.
2298 Market, SF. (415) 621-8579, www.cafeflore.com
BEST VIETNAMESE SANDWICH
Philly has the cheesesteak, Chicago has the hot dog - but they don't know what they're missing. San Franciscans get to stuff their faces with marinated pork, barbecue chicken, or tofu banh mi from Saigon Sandwiches - and all for under three bucks.
560 Larkin, SF. (415) 474-5698
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Delfina is the little trattoria that keeps blowing our readers' minds - and we totally understand. Seasonal cooking, a gracious staff, and prescient wine pairings keep this Mission neighborhood spot at the top of its class.
3621 18th St., SF. (415) 552-4055, www.delfinasf.com
BEST BOWL OF NOODLES
When it comes to slurp-worthy noodles, there's nothing like a sure thing. With dirt-cheap prices, consistently tasty dishes, and five convenient locations, King of Thai is the no-frills noodle joint that our readers turn to.
639 Clement, SF. (415) 752-5198; 346 Clement, SF. (415) 831-9953; 3199 Clement, SF. (415) 831-1301; 1507 Taraval, SF. (415) 682-9958; 1507 Sloat, SF. (415) 566-9921. www.kingofthainoodle.com
BEST TAQUERÍA
It's the Evander Holyfield of taquerías; other burritos keep lining up, but Can-Cun just keeps knocking 'em down. Regardless of where our readers' burrito loyalties lie, they can't resist the perfectly seasoned meat, beans, and rice concoction that the folks at Can-Cun lovingly wrap in a soft, slightly seared tortilla.
2288 Mission, SF. (415) 252-9560; 3211 Mission, SF. (415) 550-1414; 1003 Market, SF. (415) 864-6773 BEST SMALL PLATES
The thing about tapas is that the servings are so small. At Cha Cha Cha, the small plates are big enough to share. But Cha Cha Cha didn't snag this award on food alone - our readers come here for the kitschy decor, festive vibe, and deliciously inspiring sangria.
1801 Haight, SF. (415) 386-7670; 2327 Mission, SF. (415) 648-0504.
www.cha3.com
BEST SUSHI
Our readers like to go where the food is as loud as the music - and in both cases, Blowfish turns up the volume. The cyber-chic decor has just the right amount of Zen, the food is innovative and always fresh, and the anime LCD screens add just enough geekiness to soften the hipster edge of this popular mainstay.
2170 Bryant, SF. (415) 285-3848, www.blowfishsushi.com BEST TURKISH RESTAURANT
Whether you go with the lamb or the doner, the meat at cozy little Tenderloin spot A la Turca is always perfectly flavored, tender, and as authentic as anything you'd find in Turkey (or Germany, depending on your reference point). But our readers know that the only true test of a Turkish restaurant is the bread - and this place nails it.
869 Geary, SF. (415) 345-1011 BEST INDIAN RESTAURANT
For saag and saffron with a little class, our readers head to Indian Oven. The tandoori at the Lower Haight haunt is to die for, the pakoras are always deliciously crisp, and the naan will have any dieter worshipping at the carb altar in no time.
233 Fillmore, SF. (415) 626-1628, www.indianovensf.com BEST PERUVIAN RESTAURANT
The menu at Fresca can be intimidating. Everything from the seared ahi to the herb-crusted rack of lamb screams, "Order me!" Particularly daunting is the extensive seviche selection; if it swims or slithers in the sea, it's served fresh at this tiny chain.
24 W. Portal, SF. (415) 759-8087; 2114 Fillmore, SF. (415) 447-2668; 3945 24th St., SF. (415) 695-0549. www.frescasf.com BEST BURMESE RESTAURANT
Besides heavenly traditional meat and vegetable dishes, Burma Superstar serves up a 22-ingredient rainbow version of a salad that our readers can't get enough of. The Inner Richmond favorite is packed with salivating crowds every night of the week, but the things Burma does with lentils, curry, and basil are well worth the wait.
309 Clement, SF. (415) 387-2147, www.burmasuperstar.com BEST BRUNCH
San Francisco's affection for late-night libations makes brunch an everyday affair - who the hell is awake for breakfast, anyway? Pairing a quaint French atmosphere with a half-dozen delicious takes on eggs Benedict, Zazie snags the top spot in this highly competitive category.
941 Cole, SF. (415) 564-5332, www.zaziesf.com BEST RESTAURANT WITH AN OCEAN VIEW
There's only one thing better than watching the sun set over the Pacific: sipping a giant martini and popping calamari into your mouth amid the lavishly deco decor of the Cliff House while you're doing it.
1090 Point Lobos, SF. (415) 386-3330, www.cliffhouse.com BEST BARBEQUE
We might be geographically challenged when it comes to barbecue, but San Franciscans know that tender, sweet-smoked meat isn't all there is to the BBQ experience. The secret is in the sauce - and Memphis Minnie's gives you three exquisite table-top options, elevating urban tailgating to a lip-smacking, finger-licking art.
576 Haight, SF. (415) 864-7675, www.memphisminnies.com BEST LATE-NIGHT RESTAURANT
By the time last call rolls around, there's only one thing on our readers' minds. No, not that - we're talking about grease, and lots of it. Sparky's has been the default late-night spot for years because of its central location, kitschy decor, and excellence in pleasing carnies and veggies alike.
242 Church, SF. (415) 626-8666 BEST SPLURGE RESTAURANT (MORE THAN $20 PER PERSON)
When they're looking to get their uppity on, our readers head to the restaurant that put San Francisco on the culinary radar of foodies around the world. Gary Danko turns up the wow factor on every aspect of the dining experience, from the mind-blowing cheese selection right down to the doting waitstaff.
800 N. Point, SF. (415) 749-2060, www.garydanko.com BEST CHEAP RESTAURANT (LESS THAN $6 PER PERSON)
Life's rewards never come without a price. Luckily for our readers, the price to pay in this case isn't in dollars but in the shifty trip down a sketched-out block of Sixth Street. Tu Lan is worth it, though; once you get inside, just shout out any number, proceed to stuff your face, and remember that, no, you can't fit the entire plate in your mouth at once.
8 Sixth St., SF. (415) 626-0927 BEST DOUGHNUT SHOP
The broken-down ambience at Bob's Doughnuts is a little Twin Peaks-ish, but our readers don't come for the decor. Open till the wee hours, Bob's does most of its baking just before last call, and it doesn't go for that newfangled Krispy stuff - just classic rings of fried dough that taste sublime.
1621 Polk, SF. (415) 776-3141 BEST INDEPENDENT COFFEEHOUSE
Peddling superior free-trade coffee and an unabashedly scenester vibe, Ritual Roasters gives our readers their fix. The minimalist decor is accented by eye-catching artwork, a sea of Mac laptops, underemployed hipsters, and irreverently obscure music; Ritual can make its customers cool by mere association.
1026 Valencia, SF. (415) 641-1024, www.ritualroasters.com BEST SELECTION OF BEERS
If you're plagued by indecision, it's best to stay far away from the Toronado. Our readers love this Lower Haight beer bar for its extensive, rotating menu of imports and exports that keeps them eenie-meenie-miney-moe-ing all day long.
547 Haight, SF. (415) 863-2276, www.toronado.com
BEST WINES BY THE GLASS
"Great wine - no pretense." That's the formula by which Hidden Vine in Nob Hill operates. The staff here are redefining wine culture by dissolving the snoot factor, making it safe for the vinophile in all of us to shine.
620 Post, SF. (415) 674-3567, www.thehiddenvine.com BEST CHOCOLATIER
No one has ever eaten a Joseph Schmidt chocolate without moaning, sighing, or crying a little. The San Francisco institution is all about quality and luxury - and it's been getting our readers some romantic action (we hope) for years, one truffle at a time.
3489 16th St., SF. (415) 861-8682, www.josephschmidtconfections.com
BEST BURGER AND FRIES
Organic Niman Ranch beef expertly charbroiled, locally grown veggies, and fries that make you forget that a certain chain restaurant ever existed add up to the best burgers and sides in town. Our readers drool in their dreams for Burgermeister.
86 Carl, SF. (415) 566-1274; 759 Columbus, SF. (415) 296-9907; 138 Church, SF. (415) 437-2874. www.burgermeistersf.com
BEST LOCALLY MADE BREAD
You know how Dr. Atkins really died, don't you? He was wandering the streets of San Francisco and caught a whiff of freshly baked bread in the air, which he followed to the Acme Bread Co. Surrounded by steaming croissants and sweet baguettes, he cried, "What have I done to the world?" and committed seppuku right then and there.
Ferry Bldg. Marketplace, No. 15, Embarcadero at Market, SF. (415) 288-2978 BEST CHEESE SHOP
The Cowgirl Creamery can make a fromage enthusiast out of anyone. From stinky to sweet, flaky to creamy, the Ferry Building oasis doles out ample free samples, gift baskets designed to please, and cheese-filled goody bags for those who just can't decide.
Ferry Bldg. Marketplace, No. 17, Embarcadero at Market, SF. (415) 362-9350, www.cowgirlcreamery.com
BEST TEA SHOP
Our tea-savvy readers know that there is a high road and a low road to the leafy stuff. The low road involves bags, overprocessing, and staples, while the high road, i.e. Samovar, is all about quality, ritual, and that special uplifting feeling you get from a great hand-brewed cuppa.
498 Sanchez, SF. (415) 626-4700; Yerba Buena Gardens, upper terrace, 730 Howard, SF. (415) 227-9400. www.samovartea.com
BEST BLOODY MARY
Nothing says, "I'm too hungover to go to work today" to our readers like bellying up to the bar at Zeitgeist for the best Bloody Mary around. They concur that there's just no better way to satisfy your daily veggie requirement while making your liver scream.
199 Valencia, SF. (415) 255-7505
BEST VEGAN RESTARAUNT
Sustainable agriculture, local produce, and ecological responsibility aren't enough for our readers - they like their dinner alive. That's why they head to Café Gratitude. The communal seating, organic menu, and "eating in the now" mind-set also help make this their go-to vegan-nosh spot.
2400 Harrison, SF. (415) 824-4652; 1336 Ninth Ave., SF. (415) 665-0335; 1730 Shattuck, Berk. (415) 824-4652, ext. 3. www.withthecurrent.com
BEST APPETIZER
Lifting mere starters to haute cuisine heights, the Social Plates at Sauce do their Best Of title proud. Innovative appetizers like ham-and-cheese Tater Tots, chili-mango crab wontons, and those infamous portobello mushroom fries are built to share - but perhaps our readers prefer not to.
131 Gough, SF. (415) 252-1369
BEST DESSERT
Screw breakfast - our readers consider dessert to be the most important meal of the day. And when they get that sweet-time feeling, they head to the Hayes Valley spot with enough tarts, cakes, and parfaits to make teeth ache from a mile away. Proof positive that Citizen Cake rocks a cupcake harder than Orson Welles rocks a flashback.
399 Grove, SF. (415) 861-2228, www.citizencake.com
BEST FARMERS MARKET
Our readers love to get their produce loose from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. At this waterfront haven, the goods are local and organic, the flowers are fresh cut, and artisanal products abound. And there's nothing like the feeling of buying garlic pistachios and heirloom tomatoes in the bracing breezes blowing off the bay.
Ferry Bldg. Marketplace, Embarcadero at Market, SF. (415) 693-0996, www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com
Nightlife and Entertainment
BEST REP FILM HOUSE
Whether they're in the mood for the artsy antics of Matthew Barney, yearning for the kitsch of 3-D porno, or just looking to brush up on their Big Lebowski recitation skills, our readers fix their film jones on the well-worn couches of cozy independent neighborhood co-op the Red Vic Movie House. Don't forget to grab a bag of nutritional yeast popcorn!
1727 Haight, SF. (415) 668-3994, www.redvicmoviehouse.com
BEST MOVIE THEATER
Single-screen movie palace the Castro Theatre features a live organist, a classic neon marquee, and a stellar lineup of indie, classic, and art flicks. It's easy to get swept away here to the days of yesteryear, when going to the movies meant something more than forking over obscene amounts of money and suffering through an endless stream of Top 40 cell phone rings.
429 Castro, SF. (415) 621-6120, www.castrotheatre.com
BEST THEATER COMPANY
That troupe of irreverent tricksters BATS Improv has entered its second decade of interactive fun with no signs of slowing down. If screaming things from your seat, watching people make fools of themselves, and laughing until your guts hurt sounds like a great time to you - and it does to our readers - haul ass to see these perennial Bests.
Fort Mason Center, Bldg. B, Marina at Laguna, SF.
(415) 474-8935, www.improv.org
BEST DANCE COMPANY
Our readers never tire of seeing the impossibly toned performers of ODC/Dance contort their bodies into innovative and thought-provoking poses with seemingly no regard for the force of gravity. ODC's progressive approach to all dance styles keeps San Francisco dance fans on their toes.
3153 17th St, SF. (415) 863-9834, www.odcdance.org
BEST ART GALLERY
Tiny neighborhood co-op City Arts Gallery is a true gem, offering our readers a chance to view the world through different eyes in an accessible atmosphere. It also claims to sell more than 30 paintings a month - proof that a gallery can have community-minded scruples and still turn a profit.
828 Valencia, SF. (415) 970-9900, www.cityartgallery.org BEST MUSEUM
The largest cultural gift ever given to the city of San Francisco, the de Young Museum comes wrapped up in a swanky copper package, filled with treasures, and topped with a tower in lieu of a bow. The permanent collections are exquisite, and temporary exhibits such as the recent Vivienne Westwood retrospective really shine in the new space.
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, SF. (415) 750-3600, www.thinker.org/deyoung BEST MIXED-USE ARTS SPACE
Is there no limit to the things the folks at CELLspace can conceive? Roller-skating and dance parties, classes in everything from fire dancing to metalsmithing, zine festivals, even the occasional indoor circus - CELLspace hosts it all.
2050 Bryant, SF. (415) 648-7562, www.cellspace.org
BEST DANCE CLUB
What do you get when you combine Run DMC, Metallica, a couple of hundred pairs of fishnet stockings, and a few heavy-handed bartenders? One hell of a morning after. Blame it on Bootie. The monthly mashup club loves to blur the lines - between Modest Mouse and Grandmaster Flash, say, or Devo and Destiny's Child - and our readers love it.
DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., SF. (415) 626-1409, www.bootiesf.com
BEST ROCK CLUB
There's one in every town, a divey little venue with an unbelievable knack for consistently booking the best bands around. Bottom of the Hill is San Francisco's little rock 'n' roll gem - even the boondock location is no match for the cheap drinks, friendly staff, and smoker-convenient back patio.
1233 17th St., SF. (415) 621-4455, www.bottomofthehill.com
BEST HIP-HOP CLUB
When they've got an itch for a legit hip-hop vibe in a downtown location, our readers head to Club Six. The upstairs lounge-gallery is the perfect chill-out space after braving the packed beats-and-rhymes extravaganza (often live) in the basement below.
60 Sixth St., SF. (415) 863-1221, www.clubsix1.com
BEST JAZZ CLUB
Our readers like their Manhattans neat, their sushi flopping fresh, and their jazz red hot. Yoshi's is the classy Oakland spot that has perfected all three. The sound is always excellent, there's not a bad seat in the house, and the musicians are class acts all the way.
510 Embarcadero West, Jack London Square, Oakl. (510) 238-9200, www.yoshis.com
BEST SALSA CLUB
There's nothing like a gigantic dance floor packed with writhing couples dripping with sweat and sex. Café Cocomo keeps the passion flowing by offering salsa classes and booking world-class entertainment. The result? A stunningly attractive, enthusiastic, and talented pool of muy caliente salsa enthusiasts.
650 Indiana, SF. (415) 824-6910, www.cafecocomo.com
BEST AFTER-HOURS CLUB
Last call can be a very confusing and disorienting thing: suddenly the lights are brighter, and the bartender isn't quite as friendly. And then suddenly you're at the Endup . How did you get there, reader? Who cares? You're already dancing wildly with a hot, ambiguously gendered castoff from another bar. Yes, once again, you've ended up at the Endup. Let the good times roll!
401 Sixth St., SF. (415) 646-0999, www.theendup.com
BEST HAPPY HOUR
Two-buck drinks in a trilevel bar with a waterfall? Oh readers, you are so classy. Happy hour at Jade always pulls in the best-dressed nine-to-fivers in town, and it wins yet again for the best early-evening cocktails around.
650 Gough, SF. (415) 869-1900, www.jadebar.com
BEST DIVE BAR
Open at 6 a.m., the 500 Club is the ideal start (or finish) to our readers' adventures in barhopping, with a pool table, a well-stocked juke, and a generous bartender pouring cheap drinks. Why do they call it the 500 Club? Because that's how many scene points you get for scoring one of the cozy leather booths on a Friday night.
500 Guerrero, SF. (415) 861-2500
BEST SWANKY BAR
A library in a bar? How very San Francisco. Our readers like to work out their highbrow at the Bourbon and Branch. Just ring the bell and whisper the secret password (hint: almost scuba backward), and you're swooped away to the X-rated subtext of a Sherlock Holmes tale, full of expensive drinks, a sultry decor, and mirrored (ahem) tables for your amusement.
501 Jones, SF. www.bourbonandbranch.com
BEST TRIVIA NIGHT
When gunning for trivia champion, our readers find that nothing aids the intellectual journey like a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, a deliciously greasy parcel of fish-and-chips, and the old-world ambience of the Edinburgh Castle Pub. Every Tuesday at 8:30 p.m., Castle Quiz host Carl Gibbs fires off rounds of titillating questions for crowds of amateur academics hoping to win free drinks, strange prizes, and the chance to lord a mastery of useless knowledge over their friends.
950 Geary, SF. (415) 885-4074, www.castlenews.com
BEST JUKEBOX
These days, everyone's a DJ. When listening to yet another forgotten '80s hit played ironically on your local bartender's iPod gets old, it's time to haul ass to the Lucky 13. The jukebox there is well stocked with all the music you love - ironically or otherwise. Cue the Thin Lizzy, dude.
2140 Market, SF. (415) 487-1313
BEST KARAOKE BAR
What could be more rewarding than belting out a soulful, if off-key, rendition of Pat Benatar's "Love Is a Battlefield"? Getting mic time at the Mint to do it. It's true that our readers' perpetual favorite karaoke joint is always packed to capacity with peeps jonesing for a stage fix, but that just means there's always an audience to applaud, laugh, and cringe at your attempts to make like American Idol .
1942 Market, SF. (415) 626-4726, www.themint.net
BEST CLUB FOR QUEER MEN
Our readers expect more from a gay bar - this is San Francisco, after all. Dancing trannies, off-kilter costumes, and killer music are all musts, but our readers also prefer that all snootiness be left at the door. Since 1966 the Stud has been fulfilling that somewhat impossible request.
399 Ninth St., SF. (415) 252-STUD, www.studsf.com
BEST CLUB FOR QUEER WOMEN
This Mission dive is no stroll through the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, and it doesn't claim to be. Our readers love the Lexington Club for its rotating local art, dirt-cheap drinks, and devil-may-care attitude. Oh yeah, and the hot, hot girls.
3464 19th St., SF. (415) 863-2052, www.lexingtonclub.com
BEST CLUB FOR TRANNIES
For any San Franciscan in (or out) of their right mind, Tuesday nights are Trannyshack nights. After more than a decade, the off-kilter glam explosion, hosted by the indomitable Heklina, is still finding new and boisterous ways to combine trash with class - or at least blood with sequins.
Stud, 399 Ninth St., SF. (415) 252-7883, www.trannyshack.com
BEST ELECTRONIC MUSIC ACT
The most bleep-worthy duo in the Bay Area by our readers' lights, Kepi and Kat fry all competitors again this year. Is it Kat's poignant vocal tracks, Kepi's studio skills, or the fact that the world-class dance act croon electro on video game soundtracks?
www.kepiandkat.com
BEST HIP-HOP GROUP
While everyone else has been getting hyphy, Zion I have been getting real - laying down infectious tracks with such precision that they could only be the result of a long and illicit love affair with a studio console.
www.zionicrew.com
BEST INDIE BAND
Tartufi write songs like they're folding towels fresh from the dryer. Traveling the seam between coo and caw, the duo churn out lush and layered soundscapes that billow with cerebral grace, prog-perfect texture, and a deliciously abstract abrasion that our readers adore.
www.tartufirock.net
BEST COVER BAND
Unabashedly, unapologetically, perhaps even unironically rocking the Sting legacy, Stung is sending an SOS around the Bay Area. And while that power trio may be bringing new life to old Gordy's catalog, it's AC/DShe who turn on the red light. Still sexin' up that highway to hell, these ladies don't hold back. Your favorite tribute bands tied up the cover-band category this year - do we smell a rock-off in the making?
www.stunglive.com www.acdshe.com
BEST BAND NAME
We don't know what the fabulous ladies of San Francisco's favorite trans band, Lipstick Conspiracy, are up to right now - but we do know that they've infiltrated the local media, the worldwide Pride scene, and the hearts of our readers. We suspect they're presently plotting to overthrow the domain of power pop with their distinctive brand of ambiguity.
www.lipstickconspiracy.com
BEST DJ
DJs don't develop a cult following in this town very easily - it takes a lot of skill, an ear for mixing, and positive energy to keep the gyrating hordes a-flutter. DJ Vahid is the real deal for our readers, and now that he's landed a gravy gig at 1015 Folsom, adoring dance junkies can hear a lot more of him.
www.myspace.com/djvahid1
BEST BURLESQUE ACT
What's your poison, dear readers? Buxom pirate wenches? Leggy Vegas showgirls? The lusty frills of a Barbary broad? The Twilight Vixen Revue has got you covered, though its dancers can't say the same about themselves. These talented burlesque mamas are taking it off, one perfectly executed number at a time.
www.twilightvixen.com
BEST DRAG ACT
Risqué doesn't even begin to cover it. Charlie Horse is performance chaos at its peak: a makeshift Grand Guignol constructed in the middle of a psychotic child's birthday party, with former Miss Trannyshack Anna Conda in the middle of it all, like a deranged - yet pretty - ringleader. Catch Charlie Horse every Friday night at raunchy Polk bar the Cinch.
www.myspace.com/charliehorsecinch, www.thecinch.com
BEST COMEDIAN
Magician, juggler, mime, comedian - one-man vaudeville act Robert Strong is the kind of performer who attracts accolades like "Hot Ticket!" "Laugh Riot!" and "Brilliant!" But that may only scrape the surface. He's performed everywhere from cruise ships to the White House, and he's only just begun.
www.strongentertainment.com
BEST OPEN MIC NIGHT
From hookers to thieves, bootleggers to beats, the Hotel Utah has always had a thing for the underdog. For almost a hundred years, anyone has been able to walk through these doors, get liquored up, and play the very public fool. And the saloon's Monday-night open mic has long been a breeding ground for new talent - the generous stage here has hosted Whoopi Goldberg, Robin Williams, and, most important, you!
500 Fourth St., SF. (415) 546-6300, www.hotelutah.com
BEST LITERARY NIGHT
Tickling the underbelly of the literary set, Writers with Drinks is the roving monthly that refuses to be pigeonholed. Booking sex workers alongside children's book authors, hosting theme nights, and making sure everyone always has a drink in hand, WWD has made a movement out of a cliché.
www.writerswithdrinks.com
Outdoors and Sports
BEST PROFESSIONAL SPORTS TEAM
We love our home baseball team. Why do you think we drape all our high school kids in Giants jerseys? That's showing some love right there. So is voting them Best Professional Sports Team again this year.
sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com BEST GYM
Ever notice those weird, shiny-skinned, happy people walking down Market Street in the Castro or getting into their cars on Brannan Street in SoMa? No, they're not fashion models or movie stars. They're members of Gold's Gym , the largest coed gym franchise in the world and our readers' choice.
1001 Brannan, SF. (415) 552-465;
2301 Market, SF. (415) 626-4488. www.goldsgym.com
BEST YOGA STUDIO
If you live in San Francisco and don't do the downward dog every morning, something is wrong with you. Maybe you should eat more organic greens. For our readers, Yoga Tree is the nirvana of workshops, retreats, and private instruction.
780 Stanyan, SF. (415) 387-4707; 1234 Valencia, SF. (415) 647-9707; 519 Hayes, SF. (415) 626-9707; 97 Collingwood, SF. (415) 701-YOGA. www.yogatreesf.com
BEST DANCE STUDIO
Our readers learn how to shake their stuff at the Temple of Poi, where the instructors school them in the fine arts of fire spinning, juggling, and hula-hooping.
953 Mission, SF. (415) 543-4911, www.templeofpoi.com
BEST PUBLIC SPORTS FACILITY; BEST PUBLIC PARK
Why pay $60 a month for a gym membership when you have free access to the best sports facility in the Bay Area? You can do anything at Golden Gate Park. Archery, cycling, basketball, fishing, golf - the park has it all. And that's leaving out some of the things that make it our readers' favorite public park as well: a Chinese tea garden, hippy-friendly knolls, flowers, sexy fitness freaks, proximity to the beach, sheer size, and, of course, people selling magic brownies. Plus, with its car-free Sundays, winding paths, and little cement breakaways, it's our readers' favorite place to skate.
www.parks.sfgov.org
BEST PERSONAL TRAINER
Our readers love HoopGirl. She has big baby-doll eyes, wears tight-fitting, midriff-bearing shirts, and teaches an erotic exercise program using a modified children's toy (the hula hoop) as her sole piece of equipment. What's not to love?
www.hoopgirl.com
BEST PUBLIC POOL
The last outdoor community pool in San Francisco, Mission Pool is the one our readers dive into when they need to get their swim on. The pool is only open during the summer, but it's perfect for a good old-fashioned dip in the sunshine.
19th St. and Linda, SF. (415) 695-5002 BEST SURF SPOT
Ocean Beach is a gangster-ass surf spot. The water is freezing, the harsh wind blows in a thousand directions at once, and it's dangerous. But that's what surfing is all about: risk. This ain't Los Angeles, brah. Our spots are for real surfers.
Great Hwy. between Geary and Sloat, SF BEST PARK FOR HIKING
Our readers love to hike in Berkeley's Tilden Park. And with its gorgeous, nature-ridden trails for beginner, intermediate, and advanced hikers, it's no wonder it holds such hoofer appeal.
Grizzly Peak Blvd. and Wildcat Canyon Road, Berk. (510) 562-PARK, www.ebparks.org BEST NUDE BEACH; BEST CLOTHED BEACH
Just like the different-bellied Sneetches of Dr. Seuss, the clothed and unclothed fans of Baker Beach have found a happy middle ground in their ongoing fight for the right to claim it as their favorite hangout.
Off Lincoln Blvd., Battery and Gibson, Presidio, SF. www.nps.gov/prsf/places/bakerbch.htm BEST NATURE SPOT FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Readers facing challenges getting around appreciate Muir Woods for its wide trails and accessible vistas. They also appreciate the fact that, along with dogs and picnics, bicycling is not permitted in the park, so there's not much traffic.
Muir Woods Road and Camino del Canyon, Mill Valley. (415) 388-2595, www.visitmuirwoods.com BEST PICNIC SPOT
Our readers continue to laud the eminently picnic-able Dolores Park for its views, facilities, and overall atmosphere. After the deviled eggs are eaten, it's also a great spot to join a drunken kickball match or catch some sun in a pink Speedo.
Between Dolores, Church, 18th, and 20th sts., SF. www.parks.sfgov.org BEST DOG PARK
We asked a hundred dogs where we could find the best dog park in the city, and 99 of them said Fort Funston. The other dog, a Los Angeles–born Pomeranian, said the water at Funston was too chilly for his taste. Whatever, man. Where else can a pup frolic in Pacific Ocean waves and then chill with his bitch on a grassy knoll when he's done? Nowhere.
Skyline at John Muir Blvd. www.fortfunstondog.org
BEST CAMPGROUND
When the frantic pace of the city gets to be too much, our readers book a spot at Angel Island. Wind-sheltered and semiprivate, the campsites at Angel Island are the perfect remedy for the fog city blues.
www.parks.ca.gov
BEST PLACE TO SEE THE STARS
The Marin Headlands aren't some cheesy vista spot. They're a full-fledged camping experience. Our readers love to sip wine and ponder existence as they watch the fog eat the city, then lie back and watch the stars put on a show just for them. Cosmic.
www.nps.gov/goga/mahe
BEST CITY VISTA
It's official: we live in the most beautiful city in the world. There's the Golden Gate Bridge, the parks, the crazy hills, the pastel colors, the towers ... and the best place to see it all at one time is on top of Twin Peaks, according to our readers.
Top of Twin Peaks Blvd., SF Shopping
BEST INDEPENDENT, USED BOOKSTORE
Big corporate bookstores lack personality. And used bookstores often lack selection. Our readers love Green Apple because it's got the best of both worlds: a ton of quality books you actually want to read, a helpful staff, a history that goes back 40 years, and an SF-appropriate dog-friendly policy.
506 Clement, SF. (415) 387-2272, www.greenapplebooks.com BEST COMIC BOOK STORE
Comic books and creepy, hole-in-the-wall stores don't have to go hand in hand. At Isotope Comics you can get your mainstream and obscure comics and graphic novels in clean, classy, modern style.
326 Fell, SF. (415) 621-6543, www.isotopecomics.com
BEST MAGAZINE SELECTION
Looking for a French fashion mag or a publication dedicated solely to scale models of airplanes? Look no further than Fog City News, our readers' favorite place to find Women's Day and W, all with a side of insanely good chocolate.
455 Market, SF. (415) 543-7400, www.fogcitynews.com
BEST SPECIALTY BOOKSELLER
From Sufism to the cult of The Secret, Fields Books has our readers' spiritual needs covered. The Polk Street favorite has been selling books, candles, and knickknacks and hosting in-store events with enlightened authors since 1932.
1419 Polk, SF. (415) 673-2027, www.fieldsbooks.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY VINYL; BEST PLACE TO BUY CDS
Now almost as much a San Francisco institution as the bridge (yeah, that one) or that cruisey windmill in Golden Gate Park, Amoeba Music has maintained its reputation as the best place in the Bay Area to buy music - thanks to a huge selection and a knowledgeable staff - since it first set up shop in Berkeley 17 years ago.
1855 Haight, SF. (415) 831-1200; 2455 Telegraph, Berk. (510) 549-1125. www.amoebamusic.com
BEST PLACE TO RENT MOVIES
Blockbuster might do for those looking for 47 copies of that awful Jennifer Lopez movie (which one?), but our readers have more eclectic tastes. That's why they rush to Le Video, the movie mecca for cult films, silent movies, hard-to-find erotica, and TV series on DVD.
1231 Ninth Ave., SF. (415) 566-3606, www.levideo.com
BEST CLOTHING STORE (WOMEN)
Free People, French Connection, BCBG, Betsey Johnson ... when it comes to unique dresses, trendy shirts, to-die-for shoes, and help choosing all of 'em, it's Ambiance our readers turn to.
1458 Haight, SF. (415) 552-5095; 3985 and 3989 24th St., SF. (415) 647-7144; 1864 and 1858 Union, SF. (415) 923-9797. www.ambiancesf.com
BEST CLOTHING STORE (MEN)
Wow! It only just appeared on our radar, and now it's won a Best of the Bay award. The tiny yet infinitely stylish T Shop in the Castro, featuring all the crazy-print racing caps and dashing T-shirts our readers need, walks away with this year's Kangol tiara.
4251 18th St., SF. (415) 355-9688 BEST CLOTHING STORE (KIDS); BEST SHOP FOR PARENTS-TO-BE
Why buy expensive designer clothes your kids will grow out of in two months when you can buy those same clothes slightly used - but in great condition - at Chloe's Closet? Our readers get giddy over this Bernal Heights retail shop's great selection of kiddie togs, toys, maternity clothes, and Kangaroo Korner fleece slings.
451 Cortland, SF. (415) 642-3300. www.chloescloset.com
BEST LOCAL DESIGNER
If the Bible is the source for all things holy, then She-bible is the source for all things comfy. The design team of Deirdre O'Boyle and Stacy Rodgers specializes in soft, sexy dresses and tanks made from jersey and cotton blends, all sewn and printed right here in Fogtown.
1672 15th St., SF. (415) 292-5745, www.she-bible.com BEST VINTAGE CLOTHING STORE
Teenage wasteland? Oh no. The Wasteland our readers swoon over is perfect for vintagephiles of all ages, whether they're looking for old-school 501s or a really kick-ass pair of $16 wedges.
1660 Haight, SF. (415) 863-3150, www.thewasteland.com BEST THRIFT STORE; BEST USED FURNITURE STORE
There are few things more satisfying than finding exactly what you're looking for at bargain prices - and our readers say that chances of thrift store satisfaction are greatest at Community Thrift, where the furniture selection is rivaled only by the variety on the bookshelves.
625 Valencia, SF. (415) 861-4910, www.communitythrift.bravehost.com BEST SHOE STORE
Ain't no business like shoe business. And according to our readers, no one knows shoe business like Shoe Biz, especially when it comes to finding obscurely patterned Vans or those Medium slip-ons you've only seen in Dwell - along with a fine selection of just about everything else made to cover your toes.
1420 Haight, SF. (415) 861-0313; 1446 Haight, SF. (415) 864-0990; 1553 Haight, SF. (415) 861-3933; 877 Valencia, SF. (415) 550-8655; 3810 24th St., SF. (415) 821-2528. www.shoebizsf.com
BEST FURNITURE STORE
Want modern furniture without the modern snootiness? Our readers do, which is why they love Inside, the seven-year-old Hayes Valley locale as favored for its mix-and-match (but not contrived) Modernica pieces as it is for its "Sparkling Sundays" champagne-while-you-shop tradition.
149 Gough, SF. (415) 861-5975, www.insidemodern.com
BEST FLEA MARKET
Sure, you could spend all weekend cruising Craigslist for a cool coffee table or an affordable yet stylish midcentury lamp. Or you could follow our savvy readers to Alameda Point Antiques and Collectables Faire, a virtual Disneyland for bargain shoppers seeking furniture, jewelry, toys, art, and all things collectible.
Main near Atlantic, Alameda. (510) 522-7500, www.antiquesbythebay.net BEST HARDWARE STORE
There was a time when hardware stores were neighborhood institutions, not just because they provided services to the neighborhood but also because they were intimately involved in its culture and its well-being. Cole Hardware exists in this tradition. It has a selection that would leave few people wanting (martini glasses? key copying? basic handyperson supplies? - got 'em all), carries ecofriendly products, and offers assistance programs to give back to the community.
956 Cole, SF. (415) 753-2653; 3312 Mission, SF. (415) 647-8700; 70 Fourth St., SF. (415) 777-4400; 2254 Polk, SF. (415) 674-8913. www.colehardware.com
BEST INDEPENDENT TOY STORE
Who says you have to grow up? Not Kidrobot, the city's mecca for cute, twisted, obscure, limited-edition miniature toys and collectibles, from doughnut key chains and robot figurines to nifty clothes and backpacks. If Peter Pan were a Japanime character, this is where he'd shop - and peddle his action figure.
1512 Haight, SF. (415) 487-9000, www.kidrobot.com
BEST PET SHOP
Cute and convenient, Sunset Pet Supply has everything you need for your four-footed friends - from cats to chinchillas. And since all the food it sells is natural and organic, and the owners are unpretentious animal lovers who make a habit of remembering their customers' pets' names, our readers go wild for it.
2226 Taraval, SF. (415) 661-4236, www.sunsetpetsupply.com
BEST QUIRKY SPECIALTY STORE
The holy grail for stocking stuffers and gifts you didn't know you were looking for, Wishbone is perfect for knickknacks, novelties, and all kinds of kitsch, from Paul Frank panties to letterpress birthday cards.
601 Irving, SF. (415) 242-5540, www.wishbonesf.com
BEST SPORTING GOODS STORE
Need a down jacket? A new pair of running shoes? How about a bicycle and a Camelbak to match? You can't go wrong with Sports Basement, the active person's heaven for everything from swimming gear to snowboards.
Various locations. www.sportsbasement.com BEST PLACE TO BUY CAMPING GEAR
With its extensive selection, extremely helpful staff, extraordinary return policy, and equipment rentals section, it's no wonder REI is a consistent reader favorite for buying exactly what's needed for any excursion.
840 Brannan, SF. (415) 934-1938, www.rei.com/stores/sanfrancisco Sex and Romance
BEST RESTAURANT TO SPARK ROMANCE
You know the potential is there. But how do you take your relationship from "maybe" status to "on the road to lifelong bliss"? Our readers say taking your paramour to Sauce is the best way to start. Entrées are big enough to share, and the ambience is romantic but subdued. Plus, Sauce serves until midnight and stays open until 2 a.m. - and everyone knows romance blossoms better with alcohol and sleep deprivation.
131 Gough, SF. (415) 252-1369, www.saucesf.com BEST ONLINE PERSONALS
Match.com is fine for run-of-the-mill dating, but our exploratory readers prefer online site Eros-Guide for finding escorts, erotic entertainment, like-minded playmates, and sexy resources.
www.eros-guide.com BEST FIRST DATE SPOT
Ah, the dreaded first date. There are worse things than sharing a laugh, right? Which is where BATS Improv comes in. The humor and audience involvement will help break the ice. Taking note of your date's sense-of-humor level will tell you a lot. And even if the date turns out to be a dud, BATS' hilarious theater-sports performances will entertain you.
Fort Mason Center, bldg. B, Marina at Laguna, SF. (415) 474-8935, www.improv.org BEST BREAKUP SPOT
Morbid much? Our readers have decided that Golden Gate Bridge, one of the world's most notorious places to end your own life, is also the best place to end a relationship. We suggest choosing this locale only if you're both emotionally stable.
Lincoln and Hwy. 101, SF. www.goldengatebridge.org BEST PLACE TO BUY WEDDING WEAR
Dream of looking like Snow White - or the Wicked Witch - on your wedding day? Dark Garden can make it happen. The dress and corset maker offers ready-to-wear and custom-made clothes for all shapes, sizes, genders, and styles, whether you envision your commitment ceremony's theme as Garden of Eden or In the Garden of Good and Evil.
321 Linden, SF. (415) 431-7684, www.darkgarden.com BEST PLACE TO HAVE YOUR WEDDING/COMMITMENT CEREMONY
Skip the synagogue. Cut out the church. Our readers like a more secular locale for their "I do's." San Francisco City Hall is their number-one choice, thanks to its elegant architecture, affordable rental price, and history as the place where same-sex marriages were performed. Plus, it's all pretty and stuff.
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl., SF. (415) 554-6141, www.sfgov.org/site/cityhall
BEST HOT TUB RENTAL
What's more romantic than a hot tub date? A hot tub date at Piedmont Springs, where you can add the sauna, the steam room, a massage, or a whole series of aesthetic treatments to your hot water fun.
3939 Piedmont, Oakl. (510) 652-9191, www.piedmontsprings.com
BEST FLOWER SHOP
A rose by any other name may smell just as sweet, but an unusual and imaginative arrangement from Church Street Flowers will look even better. Our readers like the little shop's impeccable attention to detail, good service, and creative way with the classics - because sometimes just a simple rose bouquet speaks volumes.
212 Church, SF. (415) 553-7762, www.churchstreetflowers.com
BEST COUPLES COUNSELOR
All we need is love? Sure. And communication. And commitment. And sometimes a really good couples counselor. That's why our readers like Marriage Prep 101, whose husband-and-wife team helps keep couples happy, before and after tying the knot, with its fun, not-too-touchy-feely approach.
417 Spruce, SF. (415) 905-8830, www.marriageprep101.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY LINGERIE
Finding something you like at Agent Provocateur is never the problem; refraining from spending your entire paycheck on a sheer orange demicup bra with matching garter belt or a gold PVC playsuit might be. This is the ne plus ultra of perfect lingerie perfectly displayed, and it doesn't do a bad job with maternity undies or sexy swimwear either.
54 Geary, SF. (415) 421-0229, www.agentprovocateur.com
BEST PLACE TO BUY SEX TOYS;
BEST ADULT VIDEO STORE;
BEST CONDOM SELECTION
Is there anything our readers don't like about Good Vibrations? Years of praise for its cute, tasteful displays, helpful and accessible salespeople, and fabulous selection of all things sexy, slippery, and salacious seem to suggest the answer is no.
603 Valencia, SF. (415) 522-5460; 1620 Polk, SF. (415) 345-0400; 2504 San Pablo, Berk. (510) 841-8987. www.goodvibes.com
BEST STRIP CLUB
Our readers know that there are few things sexier than a naked woman. And one of those things is an empowered naked woman. Which is why they adore the Lusty Lady, the first unionized and worker-owned strip club in the country, where a dollar still gets you an old-fashioned peep at a bare bird.
1033 Kearny, SF. (415) 391-3126, www.lustyladysf.com
BEST SEX CLUB
The Power Exchange is our readers' favorite emporium of erotic exploration, thanks to multiple play areas, a drug- and alcohol-free environment, and special areas for mixed and couples-and-single-women-only use.
74 Otis, SF. (415) 487-9944, www.powerexchange.com
BEST CRUISING SPOT
Farewell steamy bathhouse. Adios Buena Vista. Our readers want a little less privacy and a lot more sun for their flirtations. The beach-bunny vibe at Dolores Park is low-key but palpable, as rippling waves of sun-kissed flesh flow over the grassy hills.
Between Dolores and Church, 18th and 20th Sts., SF. www.parks.sfgov.org
City Living
BEST LOCAL BLOG
Whether waxing poetic about random city blocks or ranting about the ever-beleaguered San Francisco Municipal Railway, the fabulous minds behind sfist.com always tell it like it is with love.
www.sfist.com
BEST LOCAL WEB SITE; BEST LOCAL ZINE
Got a fetish? Come on, we all do. From feet to fatties, Erosguide.com 's photo galleries, confession sections, and hundreds of links to personal sites scratch our readers' kinky itch. The meatspace version of the online guide, Eros Guide , scored Best Local Zine - but don't you need two hands to read it?
www.erosguide.com
BEST TATTOO ARTIST
The Asian-influenced, eye-popping ink work of Philip Milic, an independent needle slinger who works by appointment only, has our readers covered for yet another sleek and sexy year.
www.pmtattoos.com BEST TATTOO SHOP
The specialty artists at the women - owned and operated Black and Blue Tattoo Shop really know their shit and have inked up our tickled readers for years.
381 Guerrero, SF. (415) 626-0770, www.blackandbluetattoo.com
BEST POLITICIAN YOU LOVE TO HATE; BEST POLITICIAN
Oh, Newsy! Once again you leave our readers conflicted. Love and hate are strong emotions, but you, Gavin Newsom, definitely bring them both out in the populace. Will your next move turn on the applause-o-meter, garner the laugh track, or get you the hook?
BEST LOCAL NONPROFIT
One Brick ain't your typical nonprofit. As a volunteer hub, it doesn't focus on a particular cause; rather, it retains a healthy stock of enthusiastic do-gooders to lend out to other nonprofits, creating a supply to meet the huge demand.
www.onebrick.org
BEST TOURIST SPOT LOCALS SHOULD VISIT
Wading through hordes of bewildered tourists is never much fun, but our readers think it's worth it to visit Alcatraz Island. The recent switch of emphasis from professionally guided tours to self-guided audio-tour walk-abouts has taken some of the edge off the place's touristy-ness, and all that juicy convict history is irresistible.
www.nps.gov/alcatraz
BEST HISTORICAL LANDMARK
Welcoming wandering ones home again since 1937, the Golden Gate Bridge retains its honor as a Best. Sweeping panoramas and art deco grace give it a special place in our readers' hearts. Whether you're the QM2 or a weary motorist, this grande dame will always meet you at the gate.
Lincoln and Hwy. 101, SF. www.goldengatebridge.org BEST LOCAL AUTHOR
Mandatory reading for every newcomer to San Francisco, Armistead Maupin 's Tales of the City continues to enchant readers decades after its publication. Maupin's latest, Michael Tolliver Lives , a sort-of continuation of Tales , must weave the same spell - the author returns to the Best Local Author spot after a long absence.
www.armisteadmaupin.com BEST LOCAL RECORD LABEL
An impeccable design theme (circus nostalgia - how can you lose?), a community-oriented approach to music production and marketing, and some rockin' and folkin' good tunes from the likes of Rykarda Parasol and Boyskout make Three Ring Records our tune-savvy readers' favorite this year.
www.threeringrecords.com BEST LOCAL PUBLISHING HOUSE
When it comes to sheer variety, you can't beat Chronicle Books. Want to build a wet bar in your home? Pick up a hot boy in São Paulo? Explore the year 2033? Whip up some mole poblano? Chronicle's publications offer pic-heavy, very readable instruction in these areas and many, many more.
www.chroniclebooks.com BEST TV NEWSCASTER
Once again, the man with the sexiest mustache in the news business has been crowned Best TV Newscaster. Our readers love the delivery, sense of humor, and, of course, well-kempt flavor saver of KTVU's Dennis Richmond
www.ktvu.com BEST LOCALLY PRODUCED TV SHOW
Bringing true hip-hop culture to mainstream television, the Distortion 2 Static crew commandeer the airwaves of KBWB, channel 20/Cable 13, every Sunday at 2:30 a.m. and midnight, keeping the Bay updated on the latest hip-hop haps with interviews, video clips, wild antics, and more.
www.yourtv20.com BEST RADIO STATION
What do Nirvana, the Talking Heads, the Rolling Stones, and the Killers have in common? They're all on heavy rotation at San Francisco's KFOG, 104.5 FM, our readers' pick for Best Radio Station.
www.kfog.com
BEST STREET FAIR
A gathering of leather, rubber, latex, and steel - elsewhere this might sound like an upholsterers' convention, but San Franciscans are just a wee bit more creative with their hardware. Trussed, gagged, or branded, the Folsom Street Fair invites you to think outside the sex box. Unless confinement is your thing, of course.
www.folsomstreetfair.com
BEST DOG-WALKING SERVICE
Your little Idéfix or Marmaduke needs to run and play in the sunshine, but you've got to log hours in the cubicle. Don't come home to a smelly Cerberus or pouty Cujo: Tails of the City knows what wags the tail o' the pup and provides canines with the outdoor adventures they crave.
(415) 753-5189, www.tailsofthecitysf.com BEST PET GROOMER
Sometimes a trip to the pooch parlor makes all the difference. Even just a quick wash and brush can move your furry best friend to the head of the pack. Our readers choose Noe Valley's VIP Grooming to keep their pets looking like a million and ready to take a bite out of life.
4299 24th St., SF. (415) 282-1393 BEST VETERINARIAN
Our readers turn to Pets Unlimited when it comes to the health and well-being of their little four-footed ones. Preventive and emergency care is available around the clock from a staff of 14 full-time veterinarians who'll help with everything from treating splinters to setting broken bones. And they're open 24 hours, even.
2343 Fillmore, SF. (415) 563-6700, www.petsunlimited.org BEST DENTIST
Cow Hollow's own Cynthia Brattesani has a long list of loyal and trusting customers. Many cite her professionalism, modern equipment, and friendly staff as the reasons they go back gladly and come out smiling.
2001 Union, Ste. 450, SF. (415) 922-2992 BEST DOCTOR
When they feel like they're at death's door (or just want a checkup), our readers feel the most secure with internist Michael Schrader. For the past 10-plus years he's been putting the tired and the sick at ease while they mend.
2300 Sutter, Ste. 301, SF. (415) 921-8210 BEST MASSAGE THERAPIST
Tasha Berg specializes in deep tissue, trigger point release,
and cranial sacral therapy. She combines techniques to focus on pain relief, relaxation, and detoxification.
(415) 307-6224, www.nurturopathy.com
BEST MECHANIC
The mechanics at Pat's Garage teach technical classes for women, give people free coffee, and will fix your Honda, Acura, Subaru, or hybrid in no time flat - and they're openly dedicated to a greener San Francisco.
1090 26th St., SF. (415) 617-4500, www.patsgarage.com BEST PLACE FOR A HAIRCUT
For perms, tints, highlights, and haircuts, our readers flock to Dekko Salon in Potrero Hill. The loft space is awesome, and the expert stylists are always ready to get down to business.
1325 Indiana, SF. (415) 285-8848, www.dekkosalon.com BEST DAY SPA
Unmatched serenity can be found hidden within the concrete jungle at the corner of Geary Boulevard and Fillmore Street. The Kabuki Spa helps troubles melt away in refinement and luxury for a lot less than one would expect. A full day of relaxing in the baths can be had for as little as $20. Nude single-sex bathing does wonders for the skin.
1750 Geary Blvd., SF. (415) 922-6000, www.kabukispa.com BEST SHOE REPAIR
You finally found the perfect pair of shoes - five years ago. Now your fabulous yet overworked hoofers are crumbling to dust. Fret not! Our readers recommend a visit to Anthony's Shoe Service. The skilled cobblers there will have your battered soles up and running and good as new in no time.
30 Geary, SF. (415) 781-1338 BEST TAILOR
A good tailor is hard to find, and when you do find one, or in this case an entire bevy of them, you want to keep it a secret. Tough luck, pal: the alteration-and-repair cat's out of the hemming-and-readjustment bag about San Francisco Tailors, near Union Square. Don't blame us!
109 Geary, Ste. M, SF. (415) 392-6611 BEST ROOMMATE REFERRAL SERVICE
Our readers just want to thank you again, Craig. Not only can we track down cool roommates on Craigslist, but we can also hook up with a foot fetishist who's into yodeling while we do it. How did we ever get by without you?
www.craigslist.com
BEST LOCAL ANIMAL RESCUE
The SPCA fixes broken dogs and cats and gives them away for a small adoption fee. It has a no-kill policy and offers no-cost spaying and neutering. Our readers love that.
2500 16th St., SF. (415) 554-3000, www.sfspca.org |
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