D'oh!

Last time I was there, the service and the steak were fine. And I agree with the Economist that their fixed-price lunch is a good deal. Their chocolate desserts are also quite good. I also like the fact that it has a non-smoking section, a rarity in China. All that being said, there are lots of places with OK service, OK steaks, and good desserts in that price range, so I think that Alameda's real draw is its location.

Incidentally, I agree with your assessment of Annie's. I think it's pretty good Italian in the same way that the place in the strip mall in every town in the US is pretty good Italian, but it certainly isn't the best in town.