Yelp is the fun and easy way to find, review and talk about what's great - and not so great - in your neighborhood and beyond. You already know that asking friends is the best way to find restaurants, dentists, hairstylists, and anything local. Now, Yelp makes it fast and easy to make and receive real reviews from real people.

You'll know if this site is for you when I tell you that the top-rated restaurant in Atlanta is R. Thomas.

Apparently, the database is strongest in SF, NYC, Boston, and other major cities.

I enjoyed the writeup for Ambient Airlines in SF:

"You walk down a hall lined with East Asian posters and then up a rickety staircase. There you enter what looks to be a guy's living room (perhaps it is?).

The friendly fellow offers you some wine. You oblige and browse his selection of 30 or so CDs in a shoebox. You tell him what you like (ambient, chill, electronic only please) and he puts some stuff on for you. You then purchase a CD by an artist you've never heard of for $16 and leave.

You chuckle to yourself on the way out about how much you love SF. Another Yelp classic is born."

The other review for this place mentions Dave Eggers' pirate shop.

In LA, you'll find the Magic Castle in the top five for nightlife -- highly recommended. And you'll find Amoeba Music and the Farmers Market on the shopping list -- ditto.

Enjoy the site, but always remember:

A recommendation from a friend, a neighbor or a hairdresser is not more important than a state license."

Yelp - Restaurant Reviews, Doctors, Bars, Salons, Dentists and More