Little Star Pizza

400 Valencia St. (between 15th & Sparrow)
(415) 551-7827
www.littlestarpizza.com

Even though we were trying to be good after a week of binging, L not only crashed my date with J but suggested Little Star Pizza which try as I might, I can't resist.

When I go to Little Star, I always order the Mixed Salad to share because I think for some reason that it will offset the caloric guilt of pizza. That aside, this salad is pretty good - mixed greens topped with cherry tomatoes, red bell peppers, red onions, gorgonzola cheese, chopped walnuts and a vinaigrette dressing. J ordered the garlic bread which is a DIY kind of gig - the butter, olive oil and a bulb of garlic come separately. I'm sorry, but I don't come to a restaurant to do work and there is something so wrong about eating whole garlic cloves in a social setting. I wouldn't go there again anytime soon.

I cannot say this enough. Always, always get the Little Star deep dish pizza with spinach, ricotta and feta cheeses, mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Although a little cold this time (our server wasn't the most attentive,) there is something about this combo that really works. M mentioned to me after this outing that you can order the Brass Monkey which isn't on the menu (a la Animal Style at In-n-Out) and is the Little Star pizza with sausage! Oh, the remorse...but what better reason to go back?

And if you're in the mood for thin crust, I'm always a fan of the White Pie which features a garlic olive oil base, mozzarella, roasted zucchini, fresh tomatoes and feta.

PS - love the selection of beers here. Everything from PBR to microbrews.

The Verdict: Worth It Even When You're Detoxing