Diana "the domestic goddess" L.'s Profile

the food and wine were just as amazing (pork sugo, risotto, burrata, and newly discovered barbaresco wine, mMm).

the service - was MEGA-amazing.

from the kitchen - who made a brand new set of entrees for the entire table when momma di decided to take J for a nap-ride - and even threw in extra desserts!

to the valet staff - who were so accommodating of bringing the car over to me so i could take J for a sleep spin.

to the hostess - who sat us strategically in a place with easy access to open walkways and spacious booth cushions so baby could bounce around.

it is definitely service like this that makes a restaurant not just a place to fill your tummy, but a place to come back to and build a relationship with.

thank you for realizing that parents are people too - who like to eat!! momma di approved! :D

here's what my tummy tells me:

tender, juicy, perfectly smoked brisket - YUM!

sweet and succulent pulled pork - YUM-O!

moist and firm corn bread - WOW, SO GOOT!

super smokey baby back ribs - yikes, TOO SMOKEY, but WOW, SO TENDER! better with sauce!

collard greens - THIS IS HOW ALL VEGGIES SHOULD BE!

my mind totally brings me back to reality:

oof, too many calories. and yikes, why did the server give away all of the pork belly right after our party just ordered some?! it's good to get some greens, so collard all the way! a bit weird eating there, so i'll take it to-go every time.

... but it's worth it!

nyeh.

real estate in my tummy is pretty valuable these days, as i try to trim it down.

while shiny and new on the outside, the food lacks lacquer and substance on the inside. the one saving grace is that at least you are (over)paying for fresh and bountiful ingredients! otherwise, the food is rather flat.  

plates for lunch included the house burger, the savory tart, and the watermelon salad. while my co-diner really enjoyed her burger for its juiciness and flavor, the tart and watermelon salad did not *wow* us. the tart dough was a little stale for being just rolled, though the toppings were fresh and tasty. i couldn't get over the crust nonetheless.

come if you must for its accommodation of large groups, inventive space, and convenient location. definitely stroller friendly and the service-with-a-smile made mama and her milk bottle feel welcome. for that, semi mama-di approved!*

first of all - Mama Di approved!* these days, it's harder to be a foodie as a mama with baby in tow.

but Zero Zero impressed me and baby J!

from bringing a hot bowl of water to warm milk, to guiding us to their hidden elevator to transport strollers, to accommodating our party of 3 babies plus strollers in their space, Zero Zero is truly kid-friendly!

onto the main course - we had pizza and salad for lunch - loved their Fillmore and Castro pizzas, though as most Yelpers have noted, their pizzas are SUPER thin. as in - fold it up and munch, or use a fork and knife - thin.  eating it in slice format would result in pizza droppings.  and you wouldn't want to miss out on those deliciously fresh toppings. mm MM mm!

solid!! we'll be back so that baby can learn more about pizza AND their pasta next time!

stinkin' good burgers.

worth the trek across the bridge.

for a glimpse of the city by the bay emerging from the fog.

and a juicy, oozing, flavorful piece of nom nom burger, crisp lettuce, and perfectly toasted bun.

don't stress about parking and just pay in the lot by the Bank of America (it's way cheap compared to the city!)

and cop a squat along side the water with your burger in hand and cold drink in the other.

if it's cold out, bundle up baby. or squeeze through to the 10 seats in the back of the joint.  be sure baby doesn't go hungry b/c there isn't an easy way to heat up any milk! Mama Di approved!*

there is a new love in my life and in my 'hood - my little baby J!

haha j/k, i mean, Alexander's! haha! (though it's true, I did have a baby)

Alexander's is like the Neiman Marcus of steakhouses. Less of the brute force ho-ho-ho testosterony slab of meat, and more of the refined oooh-aaah course of filet.  It's the place you go for a steak foodie experience!

Some highlights from the last few times we've dined here:
- Sweet and informed service - extremely attentive with just right amount of flair
- the Prime Rib (and Sunday's are prime rib nights - three courses for a steal of a price!) - large portion that can be shared, and an excellent cut of beef. You really can't go wrong. Especially loved the three sauces they provided!
-  the Vegetarian - a beautiful assortment of seasonal vegetables. almost like a molecular gastronomy experience, as they transformed vegetables into different forms!
- the Cheese course - served as if they were antiques, in a shelf format, with crackers, bread, and fruit.
- Tropic Thunder - this dessert was the most refreshing blend of mango and other smooth goodies on a plate.
- And the surprise at the end of the meal that makes you giddy with laughter! Cotton Candy!

I will never whine about going to a steak house again - nor will I ever want to go to your all-American steak house every again.

Alexander's is my new standard for fine meat. And they like baby J too! Mama Di approved!*

i'm "in like" with their grilled cheese sandwiches.

i have a mini-crush on how they serve a little piece of fruit with each sandwich.

i want to give their tomato soup a friendly fist bump.

and i am definitely comforted by all of their renditions of a cozy grilled cheese.

the moscone is my favorite so far - pesto, fresh mozzarella, fontina, and fresh tomatoes make for a light, but satisfying sandwich. the mushroom gruyere was also delicious, but left me feeling like i had a giant lump in my belly.

it's familiar, yet intriguing. i would definitely stop by for a hug and a hello. but i don't know if it'll ever change my life.

(side note: ladies, if you sit inside, prepare to walk out smelling like toasted butter on bread for the rest of the day)

bad news: this was no life changing cream puff experience. the puffs were not fluffy, and the fillings were too dense and one-dimensional for my taste.i did appreciate the green tea matcha filling though - that had some extra depth.

good news: it's alllllways open. and you can order breakfast anytime you want. and they have spam sandwiches! and pink bread! and fluorescent red jam! and a gajillion choices of pastries, cookies, and bread! and easy parking. and such friendly, comforting hostesses.

i'd come back to try some other sweet treats, but wouldn't go out of my way for a cream puff craving.

just like the sun, the sand, and the sea in hawaii -- waiola shave ice is seriously addictive. melt in your mouth ice (duh), that is seriously fine and powdery.  if you like crunching on your ice, waiola is not for you.

the best piece of advice i can give you is - go BIG and go colorful.

i was a bit confused by the menu - what are all those flavors? is that fresh fruit? how many toppings do i get? huh?

so keep it simple - those fruit items on the menu are all SYRUPS. pick three max, otherwise, you'll just overpower your palate (my faves were mango and lychee!)

if you want it a little heartier, add some red bean or mochi.

repeat.

it SOOO hits the spot after a day in the sun.

(ps. they need a drive-by window)

these are a few of my favorite things:

sicilian meatballs - so juicy and tender and tasty. with pine nuts and white raisins. resting on a bed of sweet swiss chard and homemade tomato sugo. it's one of the bigger portions - three giant balls. ooooh yeahhh.

arancini - fried risotto, mozzarella, and short rib balls. the best $3 i've ever spent.

pork ragu - shredded braised ribs in a sweet, sweet sauce, with large tubes of al dente (seriously al dente) pasta. party in your mouth.

fried brussel sprouts - sauteed in duck fat, but the richness is cut so well with the red wine vinegar sauce. eat your greens!

bar seating and ipad drink menus - oh-so-2011.

all for under $70! what's not to heart?

(save your stomach and skip out on the bruschette - they're filling, but there are so many better things to fill your tummy with on the menu!)