This one is so obvious it seems wrong somehow. And yet Yoshi’s World Class Jazz House & Japanese Restaurant is indeed the best place to listen to live jazz in the East Bay — and on the entire West Coast, for that matter. But don’t take our word for it. Destination: San Francisco calls it “the crown jewel of North California jazz culture.” Guidebook writer Carla Labat, in her book Steppin’ Out, says: “This ultra-cool club feels and sounds more like a grand concert hall, only the tuna sashimi is better.” And guitarist Pat Metheny enthuses: “I thought clubs like this only existed in the movies.” Metheny, and just about every other major jazz artist that’s toured the United States in the past twenty years, has played Yoshi’s. Most rave about the place. The sight lines are clean, the sound system is magnificent, and the Japanese food is solid, if not innovative. This Bay Area landmark has come a long way since live music was first presented in the upstairs lounge of its old Claremont Avenue location as entertainment for diners waiting to eat sushi.