1424 is a great way to impress without seeming to be too over the top or overly pretentious. The food is great and the servers really know what they're talking about (a huge plus in my book). Wine selection is decent, could use more French and Italian wines instead of your usual J. Lohr fare. Their Beef Wellington is to die for and the lunch specials are stellar as well. All in all, 1424 is a truly great restaurant that couples great service with wonderful food.

La Fiesta on Franklin Ave. should be ashamed to call themselves a Mexican food restaurant. The enchiladas tasted manufactured and to say the food was over salted is a gross understatement. The tamales tasted like something you pulled out of a Sam's freezer bag, so if they're actually telling the truth when they say the tamales are made daily, that makes me terrified for anything else on the menu. Being originally from San Antonio, I realize I tend to be spoiled, but there are so many other better places to get a great plate of enchiladas here. The only reason I didn't give them a very poor rating was because of their margaritas. Those are very good. Everything else tastes like freeze dried astronaut food with cheese, day old beef, and an unholy amount of salt piled on top.

Let me preface this by saying I love this place. Like borderline obsession sometimes. Those emotions aside, the Vietnamese cuisine to be had here is simply stellar. I always get a small cup of their pho before any meal (unless of course I can hear the knock of death in my temples after a long night, then you better believe I'll be signing up for a whole damn bowl of the only true hangover cure I know of). After that, the options are straight forward and Stan is always there to guide you through the menu if you are afraid of trying new things. Thanh's special is my new go-to dish for any of my friends trying Clay Pot for the first time. It's a sort of Viet-style pad thai and no one has ever had anything bad to say about it. Ever. If you're looking for a very laid back atmosphere with a knowledgeable and friendly waitstaff, and are looking for a change out of the ordinary (often redundant and bland) Waco food options, give Clay Pot a try, you won't be disappointed.

I really wish I could give this restaurant a higher rating, but based on horrific service mixed with portion sizes that left a lot to be desired, I simply cannot. I've been to Bangkok Royal a handful of times and the food has always been decent and consistent. Pad Thai is never a bad choice, and their Cashew Chicken is very good. That being said, good luck ever getting a refill of anything, or God forbid, you need to order more food. An understaffed dining room coupled with an incredibly ill equipped waitstaff makes for a dining experience that would be best left to taco cabana. I truly do enjoy their food and the restaurant has a very inviting ambiance, but until they step up their dining experience quotient, I'll be forced to relegate my business to take out only.

Homestead Heritage has never done me wrong after a friend of mine turned me in their direction almost a year ago. Fresh, locally grown produce, all grass fed beef, and all prepared with the kind of love and attention that makes Cafe Homestead a truly rare experience in today's dining world. You can't go wrong with any of their burgers, and I love literally everything on their menu (I've had it all). Don't leave without trying one of the stellar desserts or homemade ice cream. I'm usually a total snob when it comes to food, especially when it pertains to a restaurant that lauds itself being organic and local. You will not be disappointed with the experience Cafe Homestead brings. The people there are also more than happy to explain what it truly means to live in a sustainable community. After lunch, take a stroll around the many cool workshops and gift shops that adorn the property.