Ruby Skye

Remember that movie Party Monster? This place kind of reminds me of that, minus the awesome costumes. This is where old ravers come to die. I will admit, I am not in to the nightclub scene at all any more. Sorry. You have an old fart (who really isn't *that* old!) giving you advice. I remember when this was the place to come. I was much younger then. Ruby Skye is just kind of a meat market. There have been some really good DJs but as a whole, I'll leave this club to other people. Lots of tourists looking for some booty and plenty of pervs*. I think the guy who rides a certain muni line solely to rub up against unsuspecting people is a regular. Fun, fun nights.

I'm sure a bunch of you are just dying to take me as your super fun date to this club, huh?
*I'm totally not kidding abuot the perv population who frequents this place.

Sinbad's

This ranks very high... on my 'places to avoid' list.
The only reason I'm even giving this a mention at all is because it is being recommended in guide books and such. It is not good. Yes, there is a view of the Bay Bridge, however, you can walk across the street to the Americano and enjoy your drinks on the patio for the view. You can go over to the Ferry Building right next door and eat outside at Hog Island Oyster Company and enjoy the view... or you can go out and simply enjoy the view for free without eating. It is just not worth it. There are plenty of choices in the Ferry Building so if you're in the area, it isn't as though you're without choices.

DeSoto Cab Company

I was going from the Embarcadero down to the Marina and one of the doormen at a hotel in the area was nice enough to hail a cab for me even though I wasn't a guest. Well unfortunately, I got this guy as a driver. First thing, the cab could use a good cleaning. I could have overlooked this until... As soon as I got in the guy starts hitting on me. Okay, I can deal with that well enough then he starts getting sexual, leering at me in the rear view mirror, you get the picture. He drove like a maniac and I'll be honest, I was ready to jump out of the car at a stop light or something. I was seriously creeped out. He took a longer route, driving up the fare on top of just giving him more time to make me uncomfortable. We finally got to the Marina and we were close enough to my destination that I said this was fine. I paid him and started to get out and he asked for my phone number. After I said no, he actually drove slowly behind me and followed me until I ducked in to a store. There is no way I'm getting in one of these cabs again after that experience.

Sam Wo

So simply put, you get what you pay for: bad food, poor service and poor atmosphere. Yeah, this place has been around forever. This is a place I'd avoid. I certainly don't need a place to be expensive for me to enjoy it, far from it, but there is just nothing worth while about it. Although, if you've heard about the "world's rudest waiter", this is the place that made him famous. And it seems as though there are plenty who work there waiting to fill his shoes...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edsel_Ford_Fong

The Stinking Rose

I'm sorry, but this place is terrible. My H had some old friends in from out of town and they really wanted to go here and in the end, I was out voted. Tourist trap aside, you must really, really love garlic to even have half a chance of getting through a meal here but even then, the food just isn't good. I mean garlic ice cream? I love garlic but yeah. Not here. The service sucks and you may as well end up at Olive Garden or something of the like. The place was crowded, the wait was long and the waitstaff were all inattentive and completely indifferent. Simply put, more proof of the tourist trap that it is. I've even had better service at some restaurants in the Wharf area which is saying something.If you really hate the party you're going with or, god forbid, your date, take them here. Why tourists flock to this place and say that they MUST try it is still beyond me. Of all the great places in the City, why this one?!

Kan's Restaurant

Screw this place. Take my advice and RUN far away as fast you can! I came here for an early lunch and only because I work nearby and just wanted something quick. Since you're visiting, there is a very good chance that you'll find this place because a) it is on Grant Avenue and b) they often have people out front luring you in for food. It wasn't busy so I braved it even if it was smack in the middle of Grant Ave. Big, big mistake! Food is very, very greasy and unmemorable. I expected the unmemorable, but the grease was extreme. Ick. I had a stomach ache after that. The worst was that I ordered take out. Thought everything had gone smoothly, paid for it and left a very small tip (in cash though I'd paid with a card) and started on my way. One of the minions that works there had the audacity to chase me on my way out and when she finally caught up to me, she said, "Was something wrong? You didn't leave a tip. Gratuity is NOT included!" Uh... I ordered take out. You didn't do anything other than take the order and bag up my food. On top of that they were rude the entire time and acted like I was putting them out. I explained that I had left a tip on the counter, in cash. I was about 2 seconds away from walking back in and taking their "gratuity" with me. The jerks who work here don't deserve your business. I definitely won't be back, no matter how close my office is. Avoid at all costs.

Ambiance

Simply put, this is the land of STUFF. The clothing is just packed in and it's always busy beyond belief. I find the staff to be pretty pushy and I feel as though Ambiance can't decide as to what type of store it really is. There is quite a range of clothing, some very expensive, some cheaply made stuff that you could buy at H&M or Forever21 for a fraction of what they're charging. There is just way too much stuff to go through and (never thought I'd say this!) too much of a range. It's almost overwhelming to attempt to shop here. I'll stop in every now and again, but in general, I think I'll pass.

Bar None

1980 Union St (between Buchanan St & Charlton Ct)

If you want to relive your college days of never ending frat parties, this is your place. Beer pong? Uh, no thanks. Maybe I've just gotten too old for this crap but jesus, it's just not fun. I suppose if you really want someone to hit on you in hopes of boosting your self confidence, you may also check this out. If you're a cougar, you'll probably love this place. I think I'll leave it. I have to say, that staff here must have a high pain threshold because I sure as hell couldn't put up with half of the stuff that goes on here. My hat is off to you.