Fourthchild Café & Restaurant — Restaurant in Ipswich City

TLDR - Poor food, long wait times and defensive/irritated staff on Valentine's Day dinner service.

My partner and I had a booking for dinner on Valentine's Day. We were not told that we could only order from the Valentine's Day reduced menu until we had been seated with the standard dinner menu. Valentine's day special menu mearly consisted of 2 starters, 2 mains and 2 dessert options as a package for $62 per person. This $62pp package was the only option that night. As every other restaurant in town was booked out, it was too late to change venue's.

Despite the reduced menu, wait times exceeded 45mins between courses. Food was less than mediocre and left ourselves and other customers disappointed.

After 2 hours we decided to cancel our dessert order, report our complaints to the manager and only pay for what we ordered. The barman at the paypoint was short tempered when confirming our order total which further soured the experience. We had $20 reducted off our order due to our previous complaints, despite 2 of our items never arriving at our table.

We chatted to other customers to check in on their experience. They agreed that the limited menue, poor food quality and long wait times were outragous for the price. They also cut their dinner short, payed for the meal and left the venue dissatisfied. One couple near our table waited 1 hour between starters and mains.

None of the other customers we spoke to that night were satisfied with the service and most people left before desserts were served.

After speaking with the male manager and politely raising my complaints to him, he quickly became defensive and asked if "I could read the specials on my table?". I explained my partner and I had both read it but were not aware it was the only option for dinner and would cost a minimum of $124 between us.

The manager stepped out from his side of the bar to hold up the Valentine's day menu at eye level to confirm I did read it. I re-explained the issue was that us and other customers were blindsided by the fact that we HAD to buy the $62pp package if we wanted to eat that night. I explained further that the high price for poor quality food that took +45mins to arrive was not acceptable. We didn't even have the option to order snacks while we waited as they were in the standard dinner menu.

Overall the poor food, long wait time and defensive/irritated service staff ruined our Valentine's dinner. After laying ±$180 for myself and my partner, our expectations were not met and Valentine's day will have to be...

Food was decent enough but probably overpriced for what it is. We (a couple) were seated at one end of a long table with another couple at the far end, problem was that everytime someone moved anything the whole tabletop would rock a good few inches. The table needs to be fixed.

Once seated we were forgotten about for about 10-15 minutes. Eventually water was brought over and a few minutes later our orders were taken. We ordered a meal and drink each. From order to food and drink arriving was about as fast or slow as you'd expected on a busy Sunday morning. One drink came out, when the food finally came out we asked about the second drink and the girl said that she's sure it will be out in a few minutes but didn't actually check. It never came. No one stopped by to check on us either. When they discovered when paying they were happy enough to remove (as they have to) but they did offer to quickly make it for us... as we were leaving? That's not how this works.

I was inclined to cut them some slack because it was a busy Sunday morning but then I remembered that this is their business, it's the wait and drink staffs job, and they take orders electronically. Any one aspect on its own and I wouldn't think much of it but the combination speaks to a bigger issue. The staff/cafe aren't up to managing at their current capacity. (We didn't appear to be the only neglected table)

Cut out a few seats, let people queue if need be, but cater to a level that doesn't overwhelm and reduce service. The food still tastes good and was timely enough so the kitchen can handle it.

One definite positive is they have plenty of aircon which actually manages to keep the whole cafe cool.

All in all, I'm sure it's okay most of the time but the food isn't anything special and you're paying a tad more than similar or better options...

I have been a repeat customer at the Fourthchild since February 2013 (yes, 11+ years). My experiences have been with both the PREVIOUS owners (The Williams Family), and also with the NEW owners who purchased the business about three months ago. This IS NOT the only venue I frequent, but it IS my favourite. I have seen countless staff come-and-go over the decade, and I can put my hand on my heart and say that IPSWICH would be poorer without the Fourthchild. The standard has been maintained over the years, and over the two venues (the former venue was at 126 Brisbane Street, where St. Shoebill currently is), the new venue has significantly more atmosphere – especially with the indoor area, small function room, back deck, downstairs function room, curbside seating, and “walk-in pick-up” area. The Chefs are second to none, and the Owner/Manager is (at my guess, based on her dedication to food service and standards) a Chef in her own right.

✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Five stars for FOOD (i.e. Exemplary)

✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ ✪ Five stars for SERVICE (i.e. Exemplary)

✪✪✪✪✪ Five stars for ATMOSPHERE (i.e. Absolutely Bloody Fantastic)

The coffee and tea are the BEST (the establishment changed their coffee to Di Bella some time ago, and it was a very wise decision). The cocktails are “to die for” yum yum, but I warn you – you lose count after two!

The new Directors/Owners are easy to talk to (any issues can be resolved on the spot). The staff are trained and competent (as usual some staff are new, inexperienced, under training).

Hey, do not take my word for it … go and experience the Fourthchild for yourself.

BTW . . . there is also live entertainment, just check with the staff to find out what is coming up.

Well done guys – keep up the good work. I am coming...