1424
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:20 - 7:15 PM
$$$$
Valentine's Day. This holiday calls for something extra special, and 1424 fit the bill as always. We tried to eat here last year, but they had a full house. This time, we made our reservations when we visited in November.
Nick had prepared a special prix fixe menu consisting of a fresh greens salad with pesto, leek soup, and an entree consisting of shrimp with etoufee, two broiled lamb shanks, and beef wellington, all over a bed of rice. Vanilla creme brulee finished of a wonderful meal. We shared a bottle of Bomarito Cabernet, 2004, Napa Valley. The wine had an exquisite bouquet, and went perfectly with this absolutely perfect meal.
While the food clearly deserved a rating of outstanding, we do have a couple of suggestions for next year. First of all, Nick, you need to put bread plates for each guest. Second, for special occasions, a prix fixe menu is perfectly appropriate, but a card should be at the table listing the menu and the price. After we settled in and ordered our wine, the waiter informed us of the price. We felt a bit uncomfortable, as if we might want to make sure we could afford the dinner. I know that was not the intention, but it seemed as if a young couple left rather quickly without eating. As regulars at 1424, we know what to expect, so we had no "sticker shock." I think this information could also have been revealed when we heard from them to confirm our reservation about three weeks ago.
None of this will stop us going to 1424 as often as we can. We love the atmosphere, the food, and the wine list -- except it could benefit from some French Bordeaux's. We want 1424 to be as good as it possibly can, especially since we always refer friends there when the occasion calls for a special dining experience.
-Jim
Showing posts with label 1424. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1424. Show all posts
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Dinner -- 11/22/08
1424
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:20 - 7:15 PM
$$$
Ramona: Caesar salad, Seafood piccata (scallops, shrimp, tilapia fillets) over rice with carrots, sugar snap peas, triple chocolate mousse cake
Jim: Caesar salad, Mahi-mahi stuffed with crab and shrimp, topped with a mild spicy tomato sauce, sugar snap peas and carrots with garlic, white chocolate bread pudding, coffee
Shared: Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse, 2006 (France)
One of the weak links in prior 1424 dinner experiences was the bread. That has been remedied with fresh, hot, crusty french (i.e., perfect) bread.
The result was one of the finest meals we have had at one of our favorite restaurants in Waco. However, we must say we have never had a bad meal there. We both chose dishes we had never had. Jim's mahi-mahi was a Friday seafood special. The fish was sweet and delicate, and the stuffing was an excellent contrast to the slightly spicy tomato sauce as a topping.
Ramona's seafood piccata was a wonderful variety of tastes and textures. The dish also had plenty of shrimp and scallops for sharing with a chunk of my fish, sauce, and stuffing.
Wes did an excellent job of serving. He is the opposite of all the things we find annoying in the chains. He was attentive without hovering, and knew when to refill wine and water glasses. He also offered coffee, which was a shade weak for my taste, but my test is a spoon able to stand by itself in the middle of the cup!
All in all, an outstanding dining experience, and a must visit. Incidentally, we put our name in for Valentine's Day dinner, even though they have not yet started taking names. Last year we were shut out, and that will not happen again, especially since this will be our sixth anniversary together.
-Jim
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:20 - 7:15 PM
$$$
Ramona: Caesar salad, Seafood piccata (scallops, shrimp, tilapia fillets) over rice with carrots, sugar snap peas, triple chocolate mousse cake
Jim: Caesar salad, Mahi-mahi stuffed with crab and shrimp, topped with a mild spicy tomato sauce, sugar snap peas and carrots with garlic, white chocolate bread pudding, coffee
Shared: Louis Jadot Pouilly Fuisse, 2006 (France)
One of the weak links in prior 1424 dinner experiences was the bread. That has been remedied with fresh, hot, crusty french (i.e., perfect) bread.
The result was one of the finest meals we have had at one of our favorite restaurants in Waco. However, we must say we have never had a bad meal there. We both chose dishes we had never had. Jim's mahi-mahi was a Friday seafood special. The fish was sweet and delicate, and the stuffing was an excellent contrast to the slightly spicy tomato sauce as a topping.
Ramona's seafood piccata was a wonderful variety of tastes and textures. The dish also had plenty of shrimp and scallops for sharing with a chunk of my fish, sauce, and stuffing.
Wes did an excellent job of serving. He is the opposite of all the things we find annoying in the chains. He was attentive without hovering, and knew when to refill wine and water glasses. He also offered coffee, which was a shade weak for my taste, but my test is a spoon able to stand by itself in the middle of the cup!
All in all, an outstanding dining experience, and a must visit. Incidentally, we put our name in for Valentine's Day dinner, even though they have not yet started taking names. Last year we were shut out, and that will not happen again, especially since this will be our sixth anniversary together.
-Jim
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Dinner -- 9/5/08
1424
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:15 - 7:05 PM
Ramona: House salad with honey mustard dressing, roast pork tenderloin, sugar snap peas, Alice's potato medley (white, golden, and sweet potatoes diced with onions)
Jim: House salad with red wine vinagrette dressing, lamb chops, sugar snap peas, Alice's potato medley
Shared: Chateau Lamy Corbieres (French, 2005), French chocolate truffle mousse cake with a strawberry and whipped cream
Clearly 1424 remains one of the best restaurants in Waco. The only special occasion this weekend was our 232nd Anniversary on Sunday and we had not been here it quite a while.
The service was perfect, as were the entrees, the dessert, and the wine.
We also noted a great improvement in the bread, which Jim always felt was a weak spot here. This time a warm, crusty french bread was served. Our server told us the bread was new and baked fresh on the premises.
Ramona's pork was delicious with a delicate sauce. Jim's lamb chops were larger than usual, tender and prepared at the right temperature and also with a delicate house sauce.
The wine was a nice surprise. It had a complex flavor -- a bit dry, a hint of fruit, and a little nuttiness in the background. Another improvement: the wine was available at room or cellar temperature, and we went with the cellar version.
The dessert was also great -- one we had not tried before. Usually we get the Austin Creme Pie, but it was absent from the menu this visit.
-Jim & Ramona
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:15 - 7:05 PM
Ramona: House salad with honey mustard dressing, roast pork tenderloin, sugar snap peas, Alice's potato medley (white, golden, and sweet potatoes diced with onions)
Jim: House salad with red wine vinagrette dressing, lamb chops, sugar snap peas, Alice's potato medley
Shared: Chateau Lamy Corbieres (French, 2005), French chocolate truffle mousse cake with a strawberry and whipped cream
Clearly 1424 remains one of the best restaurants in Waco. The only special occasion this weekend was our 232nd Anniversary on Sunday and we had not been here it quite a while.
The service was perfect, as were the entrees, the dessert, and the wine.
We also noted a great improvement in the bread, which Jim always felt was a weak spot here. This time a warm, crusty french bread was served. Our server told us the bread was new and baked fresh on the premises.
Ramona's pork was delicious with a delicate sauce. Jim's lamb chops were larger than usual, tender and prepared at the right temperature and also with a delicate house sauce.
The wine was a nice surprise. It had a complex flavor -- a bit dry, a hint of fruit, and a little nuttiness in the background. Another improvement: the wine was available at room or cellar temperature, and we went with the cellar version.
The dessert was also great -- one we had not tried before. Usually we get the Austin Creme Pie, but it was absent from the menu this visit.
-Jim & Ramona
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Dinner -- 2/15/08
1424
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:40 - 7:45 PM
Ramona: Caesar salad, 1424 Wellington, grilled onions and peppers, rice pilaf
Jim: Caesar salad, 16 oz. ribeye, Alice's potato medley, sugar snap peas,
Shared dessert: white chocloate bread pudding
Wine: Forchini Beau Sierra Cabernet 2005
Since the closing of The Northwood Inn, this has moved near the top of our dinner restaurant list in Waco. The cutely eclectic decor (usually local artists), soft lighting and gentle background music, makes this a perfect venue for a quiet dinner or a special occasion.
All the ingredients are fresh, and everything is prepared fresh to order. Don't miss the potato medley -- white and sweet potatoes, cubed and sauteed with a hint of onion. The white chocolate bread pudding was incredibly delicious -- it was warm, and not too sweet. Another dessert we like there (not available last night) is the Austin Cream Pie. Think Boston cream pie, then think chocolate -- just chocolate.
My only complaint is, a usual one in Waco, about the wine list. There was only one bottle of French Bordeaux and they were out. The Forchini was more than adequate, however, in fact it was quite good, but like most California wines, they have too much of a fruity, spicy flavor, and not enough of the wine for my taste. Sorry, but I think French wines have a smoother taste, and a fuller, longer lasting after taste.
-Jim
1424 Washington Ave
Waco, TX 76701
254.752.7512
5:40 - 7:45 PM
Ramona: Caesar salad, 1424 Wellington, grilled onions and peppers, rice pilaf
Jim: Caesar salad, 16 oz. ribeye, Alice's potato medley, sugar snap peas,
Shared dessert: white chocloate bread pudding
Wine: Forchini Beau Sierra Cabernet 2005
Since the closing of The Northwood Inn, this has moved near the top of our dinner restaurant list in Waco. The cutely eclectic decor (usually local artists), soft lighting and gentle background music, makes this a perfect venue for a quiet dinner or a special occasion.
All the ingredients are fresh, and everything is prepared fresh to order. Don't miss the potato medley -- white and sweet potatoes, cubed and sauteed with a hint of onion. The white chocolate bread pudding was incredibly delicious -- it was warm, and not too sweet. Another dessert we like there (not available last night) is the Austin Cream Pie. Think Boston cream pie, then think chocolate -- just chocolate.
My only complaint is, a usual one in Waco, about the wine list. There was only one bottle of French Bordeaux and they were out. The Forchini was more than adequate, however, in fact it was quite good, but like most California wines, they have too much of a fruity, spicy flavor, and not enough of the wine for my taste. Sorry, but I think French wines have a smoother taste, and a fuller, longer lasting after taste.
-Jim
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