The following list includes all the Restaurant.com gift certificates from places around the Bay Area which I've purchased for one reason or another - whether it's that it had a 4* rating on Yelp [most of the ratings below were from July '10, so please double check before buying], is also featured on OpenTable as a 1,000 point restaurant, includes alcohol, has a great happy hour, or has a particular dish I've been craving for:

SAN FRANCISCO

Restaurante Mazatlan, San Francisco | Yelp: 4.5*/16 reviews

Helmand Palace, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/318 reviews | SkyMiles Dining

Marino Mexican, San Francisco | Yelp: 4* /78 reviews | SkyMiles Dining

Chiaroscuro Ristorante, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/180 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Infusion Lounge, San Francisco | Yelp: 3*/509 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Palio D'Asti, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/208 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points | Free Corkage

Panta Rei, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/393 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Roots, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/104 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

First Crush, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/520 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Paul K, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/321 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Triptych, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/374 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points | Free Corkage Tuesdays

Chouchou, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/601 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Butterfly, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/591 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Chan Chan Cafe Cubano, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/92 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Circa, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/815 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Luna Park Kitchen, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/1190 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Prana Restaurant, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/150 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Ruchi, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/52 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Stone Korean Kitchen, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/165 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Tokyo Go Go, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/622 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points | Michelin Bib Gourmand

Albona, San Francisco | Yelp: 4.5*/175 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Bushi-Tei, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/438 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Destino, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/497 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Little Baobab, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/309 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Espetus Brazilian Steak House, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/1217 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Opaque Dining in the Dark, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/112 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points | Free Corkage

Pulcinella Pizzeria & Italian Ristorante, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/105 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Cafe La Taza, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/110 reviews

Aicha Moroccan Restaurant, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/83 reviews

Ambassador, San Francisco | Yelp: 3.5*/521 reviews

Boardroom, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/155 reviews

Curry Village, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/66 reviews | Note: Did not accept our gift certificate.

Fattoush, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/236 reviews

Giovanni's Pizza Bistro, San Francisco | Yelp: 4.5*/69 reviews

Haltun Mayan Cuisine, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/14 reviews

Hunan Home's Restaurant, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/200 reviews

Mars Bar & Restaurant, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/225 reviews

Melt, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/149 reviews

Modern Thai, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/253 reviews

Okoze Sushi Bar, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/246 reviews

Passion Cafe, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/84 reviews

Walzwerk, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/509 reviews

Stefano Cucina Italiano, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/58 reviews

Layaly Mediterranean Grill, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/134 reviews

Clement Street Bar And Grill, San Francisco | Yelp: 4*/128 reviews

EAST BAY

Everest Cafe, Berkeley | Yelp: 4*/21 reviews

Taste Of The Himalayas, Berkeley | Yelp: 4*/209 reviews

Zabu Zabu, Berkeley | Yelp: 4*/294 reviews

Champa Garden, Oakland | Yelp: 4*/421 reviews

Enssaro Ethiopian Cuisine, Oakland | Yelp: 4.5*/277 reviews

Messob Ethiopian Restaurant, Oakland | Yelp: 4*/113 reviews

PENINSULA

Divino Ristorante, Belmont | Yelp: 4*/125 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Iron Gate Continental Cuisine, Belmont | Yelp: 4*/81 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Hangar Steak , Burlingame | Yelp: 3.5*/22 reviews | OpenTable: 1000 Points

Chalet Ticino, Foster City | Yelp: 4*/75 reviews

Terrace Cafe, Millbrae | Yelp: 5*/14 reviews

Sajj Restaurant, San Bruno | Yelp: 4*/86 reviews

La Tosca, San Carlos | Yelp: 3.5*/63 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Tannourine Restaurant, San Mateo | Yelp: 4*/102 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

El Sinaloense Seafood, San Mateo | Yelp: 4*/36 reviews

Joy Sushi, San Mateo | Yelp: 4*/551 reviews

Ceviche Taqueria, San Mateo | Yelp: 4*/84 reviews

SOUTH BAY

Twist Bistro, Campbell | Yelp: 4*/235 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

TGI Sushi, Campbell | Yelp: 4*/542 reviews

Martins West Pub, Redwood City | Yelp: 4*/147 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

New Kapadokia, Redwood City | Yelp: 4*/180 reviews | OpenTable: 100 Points

Flaming Fresco, Redwood City | Yelp: 4*/86 reviews

Karakade Thai Cuisine, Redwood City | Yelp: 4*/145 reviews

Sweet Basil Thai Cuisine, Redwood City | Yelp: 3.5*/27 reviews

Pronto Woodfired Pizzeria, Redwood City | Yelp: 4*/52 reviews

Flames Eatery, San Jose | Yelp: 4*/312 reviews

So many of these group buying websites have appeared lately it's hard to keep track of. In the meantime, it's a good idea to subscribe to the following websites. I'll continue to update this article as I see newer deals and might better describe the differences between each site as well as post my purchases so you have an idea of what kind of daily deals each site might feature.

If this information's been at all useful to you, please do use the links below to open in a new window and sign up for FREE - I'll get a referral bonus, and in some cases, you might get one too!

• GROUPON

Offers: A huge range of deals of higher quality goods at ridiculously low prices - including hotels, meals, local bakeries, chocolates, massages, facials, laser hair removal, car detailing, and more.

Purchased: 75% off laser hair removal, 50% off local restaurants, $1 yoga classes, $38.50 facial, $38.50 massage, $39 1 hour chiropractor

• CITYDEALS

Offers: Half off movie tickets for AMC and Cinemark, gift cards for popular national chains.

• BLOOMSPOT

Offers: Luxury. A huge range of incredible deals for higher end things such as hotels, meals, massages, facials, and more.

Purchased: 2 facials, 1 night at Intercontinental (includes 7 course tasting at a Michelin starred restaurant for 2 + $100 spa voucher), 50% off dinner

• EVERSAVE

Use this LINK and earn $5 towards your first purchase.

Purchased: Coffee Cake

• BERGINE

Offers: Luxury. A huge range of incredible deals for higher end things such as hotels, meals, massages, facials, and more.

• GILTCITY

Use this LINK to gain access to the site - you need an invite to join!

Offers: Luxury. Example: Venetian Las Vegas, Marni Accessories, European getaways.

• LIVINGSOCIAL

Use this LINK and earn $5 towards your first purchase.

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, local bakeries, chocolates, massages, facials, car detailing, and more.

Purchased: 50% off dinner+drinks, 4 Limo Rides

• FRESHGUIDE

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, massages, facials, and more.

• HOMERUN

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, massages, facials, and more.

Purchased: $1 for full day at business center/meeting space, FREE dance class

• TOWNHOG

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, massages, facials, and more.

• SOCIALBUY

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, drinks, massages, tickets, and more.

Purchased: $10 for $40 of drinks at the Melting Pot.

• PLUM DISTRICT

Use this LINK and earn $5 towards your first purchase.

Offers: A huge range of deals from hotels, meals, local bakeries, chocolates, massages, facials, car detailing, and more. Slightly more high end.

• KGBDEALS

Purchased: $4 AMC Movie Tickets

• SAVVY AVENUE

Offers: A huge range of deals from meals, massages, facials, and more.

• ADILITY DEAL

Offers: A huge range of deals, though frequently for things that aren't as popular.

Purchased: $21.99 for 4 rounds of mini golf + 50 tokens + more

• BUYWITHME

Offers:

• TIPPR [As of 09/18/10, a lot of major cities weren't included yet.]

Offers:

• JUICE IN THE CITY [As of 09/18/10, a lot of major cities weren't included yet.]

Offers:

• STEALTHEDEAL [Catered towards the Canadian market.]

Offers:

___________________________________

THE FOLLOWING TEND TO BE MORE GOODS-ORIENTED THAN SERVICE

• IDEELI

Use this LINK to gain access to the site - you need an invite to join!

More for shopping and finding special deals on goods than services.

• RUE LA LA

More for shopping and finding special deals on goods than services.

• WOOT

More for shopping and finding special deals on goods than services.

My version of the five single rule states never to shop online without doing all five things:

1. Search for your item on http://shopping.google.com [About 5+ years ago, I used primarily http://shopping.com to compare prices, but Google's is pretty complete as well.]

2. Sort by price - Low to High. [Weeding out irrelevant results shouldn't be too much trouble..]

3. If there are multiple options at the lowest price, prioritize the online stores that aren't located in your state to avoid paying an additional 10% (ish) on sales tax.

4. Visit MrRebates to make sure you earn a cash rebate on your purchase. [Please use this URL so my broke self can earn a referral bonus + as of the time this article was written, you earn $5 just for joining! *psst* It's free.]

5. Check RetailMeNot for coupons and promotional codes to save on shipping or get additional discounts. [Sometimes, MrRebates won't grant you rebates if you try to combine it with other offers - read the fine print to make sure! However, they'll usually feature the same coupons on their site as well - if you shop through their link, you'll be able to use the promotional code AND still earn a cash rebate on your purchase!]

Our resident recessionist is still in the middle of developing this area + taking an extra week or two to hang out with family and friends in Indonesia. Do come back after the 1st of October.

In the meantime, a link to a bit of internet meme to reminisce with:

Subservient Chicken

Tips: "do the ymca," "fight," "shakespeare," "cartwheel"

Our resident recessionist is still in the middle of developing this area + taking an extra week or two to hang out with family and friends in Indonesia. Do come back after the 1st of October.

In the meantime, a link to a bit of internet meme to reminisce with:

Subservient Chicken

Tips: "do the ymca," "fight," "shakespeare," "cartwheel"