Four Winds Revolving Restaurant

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Came here in a group of about 30. Our booking took up a good chunk of the restaurant but there was quite a lot of other people there. We were lucky, it was a clear winter's day and the views were lovely. Not exactly pram-friendly but kids loved the fact the restaurant revolved and got stuck into the sushi. Huge prawns, very good selection of hot and cold dishes, with dishes being topped up regularly.

Dessert selection quite impressive. Wait staff competent and responsive. We got a good deal due to the size of the group. Parking on the street right outside the hotel, which was easy to find.

Jun 17, 2011 

6.3 Average

Food  5      Ambience  9      Service  6      Value  5     

The View of course is the only reason to come here, as there are far far better Buffets on the GC if you're into Buffets.

The retired Caterer and myself, ventured to these dizzying heights, as our last visit was several years back. Although only a party of 2 we did get a coveted window table as requested previously when booking, as our arrival at 13.20 hours saw the place less than 1/3rd full.

First impression on entry is the odour of tired seafood and shellfish in the air. Table was great, likewise the service, and as I see previous reviewers seem to have had trouble with getting drinking water, now we had a carafe of water served to the table automatically, so I guess restaurants do read these reviews.

Overall the hot buffet items, mostly in an Asian theme, all seemed a little tired, maybe it was because it was an hour or so into the buffet when we arrived, and nothing was being topped up at this time, or maybe it was because we have been spoilt by the Sheraton Buffet in the past, it was just all so tired and ordinary, with quite a few empty or almost empty chafing dishes with a few sad scraps in the bottom that the kitchen never attempted to top up.

The hot chafing dishes were battered and not user friendly. I had to fish through the few limp looking Oysters on the half shell that were left on the buffet to find a handful that looked fresh and edible. The balance left looked quite tragic.

As the Ex caterer remarked, being in the know, they will probably be turned into oyster Kilpatrick for the evening buffet There were plenty of Prawns and Crab pieces available. Sweet selection was also attractive and satisfactory.
Cheese selection was minimal. The pleasant waitress offered us humble drip coffee, included, and an account, which was $97 for the 2 being lunch mid week.
The cheapest bottle of wine was over A$40, so we gave that a miss. So the moral of this story is if ya gotta eat there, go early. Bon Appetit The Galloping Gourmette.

Apr 29, 2011 

5.8 Average

Food  7      Ambience  7      Service  3      Value  6     

I dined there with a very dear companion. The young lady who showed us to our table, smiled and we never saw her again. Yes, the view is really spectacular, despite the fact it was raining and gradually cleared.

The food was adequate, not plentiful as I have had bigger and better buffets, but they have maximised seating. The traditional tour groups were there and were 3 deep around the seafood. For a top-up of the water we had to ask twice, for a glass of wine it was there in an instant because it was being paid for. We did enjoy the meal and the views, the company was the best of the lot and our plates, cutlery and finger bowls kept disappearing and we had to ask for more, explaining that we had not finished eating.

When I asked for the bill it was there in 30 seconds, the best service all day. I asked for a tax invoice and that took 10 minutes and I went and got it. The quality of the food that was there was above average, the views pleasant and I felt it represented fair value, but the service, well it quick when it should be slow and slow when it should be faster. I would go again as I think its about the best on the Gold Coast.

Dec 09, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  8      Ambience  9      Service  7      Value  8     

On a clear Spring-like day there's nothing nicer than a window-side table (for 3 persons or more) at 4 Winds for lunch. Mon-Fri lunch will set you back $48 per person.

The food 'formula' is consistent if somewhat predictable, particularly if you've visited here before.

Appetisers: Hot steamed chicken dim sums and satay, Vegetarian Tom Yum Soup (! - why not with prawns?), vegetarian spring rolls, cold sushi, glass noodle salad, marinated tofu salad, (boring) bean/potato salad etc.

Seafood: Prawns, oysters and spanner crab. Hot: Beef Vindaloo, Singapore Noodles, Pork Spare Ribs, Honey chicken, steamed fish pieces, Roast Veal, roast pumpkin and potatoes, stir fried vegies, steamed and fried (of a fashion) rice,
Desserts: profiteroles, creme caramel, baked cheesecake, fruit platter, cheese platter, chocolate eclairs. New 'sago (tapioca) pudding' with raspberries at the bottom and Black Forest gateaux (not bad actually). 'Freshly whipped cream' was very deceptive as it was mock cream (which is just margarine and sugar whipped until white..Yuk!).

And yes, the wait staff were extremely quick to try and whip away plates when there was still food on them (are they trying to get you to leave quickly?) but they were slow offering cold water (had to ask more than once) and clean finger bowls or plates to put seafood shells on so service gets dropped a point this year.

Nevertheless the seafood was fresh, tasty and plentiful, the view fantastic all the way into NSW and catching up with old friends over a long lunch is always a treat so I still return here year after year and recommend. Visitors to the Coast, try and dine here sooner rather than later, it will put you into 'relax' mode!

August 2009 I said: I dined here for lunch twice in the first week of August, both times with friends and we all agreed the service had improved over previous visits in the past few years. The Seafood is still fresh, views still impressive and desserts still the same old suspects (profiteroles, creme caramel, baked cheesecake, fruit platter, cheese platter, with a 'chocolate fondue' and chocolate eclairs thrown into the mix for good measure.

Hot buffet offerings vary but to give you an idea, Thai chilli basil beef, 'Hong Kong' style steamed fish, butter chicken, Chinese Roast Pork, Roast Veal, Vegie dumplings, Vegetable Hokkein noodles. Chicken and sweetcorn soup and Laksa, steamed chicken 'dim sum', chicken and beef satay sticks etc. Priced from $48 M-F lunch.

My previous review of July 2007 said: Allow a couple of hours and go on a clear day (or night), sit back, relax and enjoy the expansive 360 degree views. Dinner and weekends more expensive than the lunch buffet. Seniors discount offered. All buffets offer seafood (prawns, oysters, crab) which is always fresh and Asian-inspired dishes which range from spring rolls and sui mai to stir-fries and curries which range from fillers to tasty depending on the chef that day.

Guaranteed Asian tour groups to frequent at lunch. Don't put your handbag down on the ledge unless you want it around the opposite side to you 40 minutes later due to the slow revolve! Service can be a little slow if you choose water over wine.

Sep 04, 2010 

6.5 Recommended

Food  6      Ambience  8      Service  4      Value  8     

Generally good buffet food, fresh and served in lovely chaffering dishes in order to keep hot, clean and fresh. Seafood was fresh, good fresh plump prawns, oysters and oysters kilpatrick are the best I have ever had. Good selection of asian dishes. However, if you don't like spicy, asian or seafood, you won't have many choices.

Desserts were a good standard, above some of the 5 star hotel buffets I have been too. Family friendly, easy to park car and take elevator to the top. Service was a bit abrupt, waiters tried to take plates off your table when you hadn't even finished which I felt was quite rude. Overall was good and would definitely go back when I visit the gold coast. Brilliant views.

Mar 07, 2010 

8 Recommended

Food  9      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  7     

My partner and I enjoyed our experience at Four Winds, the food was delicious and if you can fit it in you really get the value for your money. Although, in my opinion, it is too expensive for dinner, the lunch prices were a little cheaper and the food was still great quality; the dessert tray is to die for.

The view is great! Although if you're only sitting at a table for 2 you will most likely be seated away from the windows. The service is good as the waiters are very attentive and always remember where your table is even though its always moving! I can't wait to go back again!

Feb 17, 2010 

7.8 Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  8      Service  8      Value  8     

Standard Buffet fare, nothing totally amazing about the food but if you love seafood you can certainly get your $58 worth with fresh prawns, oysters, crab and oysters kilpatrick and black bean mussels. My tip is go for lunch, its cheaper and the night lights don't look nearly as nice, you're not really high up enough to see enough for that pretty fairy light effect!

Oct 02, 2009 

8.3 Highly Recommended

Food  7      Ambience  9      Service  9      Value  8     

Great views of the gold coast. I've had both the lunch and dinner buffets. Dinner Buffet has more variety. Is good value for money, all you can eat!

Jun 25, 2007