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Lisa's Favs...

These are a few of my favorite things..

Top Bay Area Tattoo Shops

If tattoos were once the insignia of sailors, bikers and inmates, they're now so accepted around here that it's not hard to find a young chef or graphic designer with more ink than an entire chapter of the Hells Angels. Luckily, anyone looking to get tatted is in the right place: San Francisco is home to some of the best tattoo artists and shops in the world, and here are the best of the best.

Do-It-Yourself Craft Classes in SF

Blame the economy, blame the percentage of creatives in this city, blame our love of all things homemade--whatever the reason, the DIY ethos thrives in San Francisco, as evidenced by the popularity of Indie Mart, Maker Faire and street food carts citywide. To get in on the movement and save a few bucks (or make them), pick up some skills in bookbinding, glassblowing, knitting or cooking at one of these local schools and studios. (Photo of Crucible students: Dave Wright)

East Bay Boom: New Spots to Eat, Drink and Play in Oakland

As much as SFers like to think they live on the better side of the bay, Oakland's got a lot worth fighting for these days: a love-it-or-leave-it attitude, cheaper rents and now the emergence of some serious hot spots offering food, drinks and entertainment that easily rival their SF counterparts. Revitalization or gentrification? Either way, the venues on this list--a temple to Southern comfort, a wait-worthy Burmese restaurant and a revamped concert hall, to name a few--are worth a try.

Speciality Beer Bars in SF

Back when a man's appreciation of beer was measured by the size of his belly, few could have imagined the quintessential everyman drink being judged on its nose and finish and paired with gourmet food by beer stewards. But several new beer halls are doing just that--and packing in crowds of discerning brew-connoisseurs who come for rare American craft beers and obscure foreign suds. Of course, there are still a few local institutions that offer 100-plus bottles and drafts, but leave the sniffing and pairing to the Napa crowd; take your pick.

You Scream, I Scream: Gourmet Ice Cream in SF

There are few things more simply satisfying than a heaped ice cream cone. And just because your palette has advanced beyond orange sherbert and bubble gum doesn't mean you have to give up on the creamy fair-weather treat entirely--SF boasts a number of parlors churning their own ice cream and using innovative ingredients, from foie gras to Blue Bottle, salted caramel to purple yam. Forget the fro-yo and try one of our top foodie-grade ice cream spots.

Bad, Bad, Bad...Very, Very Bad

These are companies that I wouldn't recommend under ANY circumstances!

Double Trouble: Two Ethnic Eats, One Confused Restaurant

As Americans, we've learned to embrace the diversity that comes with our "melting-pot" identity, especially when it comes to our food. Make one type of ethnic food well and you're just like every mom 'n' pop shop in the Mission; combine two disparate cuisines--Cambodian barbecue and doughnuts, Indian curry and Italian pizza, American omelets and Korean rice plates--and you make it on our definitive list of ideal spots to satisfy the bizarre cravings of your pregnant wife or stoner roommate.

Nerd Alert: Cool Spots to Geek Out

Wool cardigans, horn-rimmed glasses, math rock--nerd chic is in, whether you've got the brains to back up the look or not. Get in touch with your inner egghead by beefing up your comic collection, building a legion of robots and mastering your "Checkmate!" at these fun SF spots to nerd out.

3 Buck Bites: San Francisco Meals Under $3.99

Remember the days of throwing a handful of change down on the counter and saying, "What can I get for this?" We do. Partly because we said it just last week! We're allowed to, thanks to our new frugal foodie lookbook, 3 Buck Bites, a go-to guide for meals under $3.99. From adventurous ethnic eats to classic standards, you'd be surprised how far you can stretch those quarters you found between the couch cushions. Here are a few highlights. And if you've got some of your own share them with us--you could be featured next!

(Photo: Ben S., Cooking With The Single Guy)