Photos by Bill Ryan/The Gazette Longtime employees Sheree Rodriguez and Virginia Vance, both of Mount Airy, show off various breakfast fare at the Four Seasons.

The restaurant continues to be a landmark and constant bright spot in the area.

On a recent cold evening, my husband and I, along with another couple, were surrounded by warmth at the restaurant. The exterior was well illuminated and the large windows allowed us to see the bustling servers efficiently attending to the needs of their patrons inside.

The interior was also well lit and comfortable. We entered through the diner area, which is also the smoking area. Booths and counters with stools are the seating choices in this area. This area lends itself to quicker dining.

The main dining room, which is non-smoking, is bright and cheerful. This room is more suited to leisurely dining. Large brick archways and green gingham curtains form the backdrop for the buffet steam tables. Large windows are partially covered with fabric window treatments, which are a close match to the vinyl table coverings. Silk ivy is wound around frosted hanging lights. The wine list is printed on a label and attached to an empty wine bottle, which also serves as decoration.

Four Seasons Restaurant is well known for its buffets. Though the availability of some foods does affect the selections, for the most part the menu remains the same each day.

For the dinner buffet, beef, pork, seafood, and poultry are mainstays. Several types of potatoes, vegetables, stuffing, hush puppies, pizza, soup, burritos and a salad bar are also included. More than 40 selections are available.

On Monday and Tuesday, the buffet is $7.25; on Wednesday and Thursday, $7.99; on Friday and Saturday, $9.99; on Sunday from 12:30 to 2 p.m., $7.99, and from 2-9 p.m., $9.99. Children ages 5 to 10 are half price; ages 2 to 4, $3; and children younger than 2 are free.

Having perused the buffet tables on the way in, we all decided that it would be our choice for the evening. We were not disappointed. Even with four of us enjoying the selections, we were unable to taste each and every offering, but did enjoy those we chose.

The roast turkey was especially good, as was the stuffing shaped the size of a ping pong ball and served with rich, creamy turkey gravy.

My husband found the lasagna tasty, and others in the party enjoyed the fried chicken, shrimp and baked fish.

Since several of us were drinking sodas, it was nice when the server offered us a flask to keep on the table. Every time we returned to the buffet, the selections were full, and the serving areas clean and neat. We did feel, however, that the desserts could use a little revamping.

An extensive breakfast buffet is available for $6.50. On Wednesday and Thursday, a salad bar is available for $5.99, and on weekends for $7.99. Holiday prices are subject to change.

If you do not want to partake of the buffets, breakfast is served Monday through Friday until 12 noon, and Saturday and Sunday until 1 p.m.

Eggs any style, omelets, hot cakes, French toast, chipped beef, breakfast sandwiches and combination breakfasts are available. It has been a long time since I have seen scrapple on a menu. I will have to go back for that another day.

Lunch is served in the dining room from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appetizers, soups, salads and sandwiches are on the lunch menu. There are at least 15 hoagies served on an 8-inch roll and none are over $4.75.

Hot and cold sandwiches comprise an entire side of the menu. The most expensive is the new fried oyster sandwich at $6.25.

The dinner menu is equally interesting and full of possibilities. Tossed salads with or without added ingredients and homemade pasta are popular choices. All Italian specialties are served with a salad and garlic bread.

Dinners are served with your choice of potato, vegetable and homemade bread. A tossed salad can be added for $1.25. Many side orders are also available.

Fresh dough pizza, with your choice of toppings, is another option at Four Seasons. The white pizza with provolone cheese, sliced tomatoes, olive oil and fresh basil sounded like a winner. A T-bone steak dinner platter, at $12.99, was the most expensive item on the menu.

Children, ages 10 and younger, and seniors, ages 55 and older, can eat at reduced prices. There are about eight choices for each category.

Desserts include assorted pies, fruit cobbler, carrot cake, and German chocolate cake.

Whether spring, summer, fall or winter, you will find that the Four Seasons restaurant is a comfortable, pleasant place to have a good meal at a reasonable price.

The restaurant is visible from Route 70, but you will have to do a little maneuvering south on Route 27 to find it. It will be well worth the effort.