Alice's Favorite Little Bites

We caught up with the peripatetic Ms. Waters during her brief visit to New York, where she was eating pasta at Lucca, ramps at Babbo, and innards at the Spotted Pig, in between jaunts to Italy to judge a food film festival and England to attend a conference on American gastronomy, followed by a rendezvous with friends in Ireland. She told us about some of her favorite joints in S.F. to grab a bite (as opposed to a multicourse sit-down meal). "A lot of this depends on where I can find a place to park," she cautioned.

Pizzetta 211

211 23rd Ave. (at California), 379-9880, www.pizzetta211.com

"I eat pizza here, of course, and I also love their great selection of cheeses, and a good glass of wine. It's a whole aesthetic experience for me there."

Zuni Cafe

1658 Market (at Franklin), 552-2522

"I go to Zuni, to the bar. I usually have one of their wonderful salads. Sometimes a little sandwich, for lunch."

Delfina

3621 18th St. (at Guerrero), 552-4055

"I sit at the bar at Delfina. I really like bars! Especially here, because I can look at the chefs, watch them cooking, and see what's happening. It's a great little experience. I have a very straightforward pasta."

Café Niebaum-Coppola

916 Kearny (at Columbus), 291-1700, www.cafeniebaum-coppola.com

"Sometimes I go into Francis' place in North Beach for a glass of zinfandel and a rocket salad."

Primavera

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, Ferry Building, Embarcadero & Market

"My absolute favorite thing to do is to have breakfast at Karen Waikiki's little Mexican place at the Farmers Market on Saturday. I have whatever she says is the special that day; sometimes it's tacos -- just whatever it is. It's called Primavera, and she's going to open up her own restaurant."