Hedges Nine Mile Point Restaurant — Restaurant in Town of Webster

Went for my Mother's birthday, you only turn 80 once after all! One of her friends suggested Hedges and let me tell you the location does not disappoint. Right on the lake with plentiful outdoor seating and views of the lake and (eventually) the sunset. The facility has a very old school restaurant feel to it, a 70's vibe if you will. They have a long bar and a piano with seating around it. Even had a live musician playing. The place can get a little loud, but I felt it added to the energy of the place, I don't particularly like silent eating lol! Drinks are on the strong side, those that complain about them being "too" strong are likely used to going to places with a very tight control on the booze pours. I had the Old Fashioned and it was full of muddled fruit and a good strong whiskey. Delicious, butI wish I was out side drinking it! They also have quite a few beers on tap and canned products as well as a full bar. My Specialty cocktail was only $12 which is I feel fair for a drink at this type of restaurant. Now to the food...it ain't cheap. But the portions were great, and the quality was mostly excellent. I say mostly Two of us had the Surf and Turf, a massive 10 oz lobster tail and filet Mignon, with perfectly crisp tender green beans I forget the size but about 2 inches thick. Lobster was perfect, succulent and tender with butter. The Filet (with garlic butter)is where I struggled, ordered medium rare, I received medium to medium well. Filet gets funky to me when it is past medium the lack of fat just makes it taste underwhelming. Had a good sear to it and the garlic butter made it workable though. My wife had the Blackened Salmon Caesar salad a much more reasonable price, and she still brought half of it home, the salmon was perfect and the salad was...well it's salad. lol Last was my Mom's friend medium Prime Rib, again not an unreasonable price, and it was absolutely massive! Au jus was very rich and topped it off nicely, I would add some Horseradish but she was not interested in my opinion lol. Last the service, from the moment we arrived to the moment we left the staff could not have been nicer and more attentive. The hostess sat us quickly from our reservation, and even made a cute comment about me having three attractive ladies in my party, made them all giggle. Our waitresses were two younger ladies ( Liz I believe was the waitress) were both excellent, they listened, they quickly took care of a few requests (extra Blue Cheese from my Mom!). Water glasses were filled and empty plates whisked away, but we never felt rushed. They both honestly seemed happy to be helping us and participating in our experience. All in all a great time, worth the money capped with great people and a special feel. Just lost one star because they call themselves a surf and turf joint, the filet should have knocked my socks off...but I will be back and order it...

Growing up in Rochester, many special occasions have been celebrated at Hedge's. Later, as we began having children, Hedge's became a special place for them as well. "Where shall we go to celebrate your birthday this year," was met with, "Hedge's!" Lucky for us, none of them were born in January, February or March, because with the seasonal closing just before Christmas, we wouldn't have such a great tradition. I'd like to say that I'm a food adventurer, and much of the time I am, but with the steamer clam special as an appetizer, a side Caesar (yes, add anchovies) and Shrimp Leo (off and on the rotating menu) I have landed myself in the most magnificent food rut of all time. You just can't beat that combination of "perfect". My husband loves the Tuscan Seafood, loaded with scallops, clams, lobster, shrimp, crab and mussels (for him, hold the mussels) though nightly specials tempt him on rare occasions. Though there is rarely room for dessert, you must try Judith's Butterscotch Sundae. This butterscotch sauce is homemade and delicious, developed by family matriarch Judy Swift (now retired) and perfected over time by her middle son Thad, now the owner. Thad frequently circles the dining room visiting with guests, many of them loyal Hedge's lovers of many years. As summer turns to autumn, and we begin to feel the "Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald" weather, we call ahead to see if one of the tables near the massive fireplace is available. Depending on our willingness to flex on time (we always are), it usually is an option. And when the ice begins to melt, we measure time by "when does Hedge's open?" always anxious to get back to the lake, wondering what changes will have come... a new fixture, a missing menu item or a delightful new one, familiar wait staff (we are madly in love with Jacqui), new bus-persons to get to know, an amazing piece of art- drift wood sculptures usually roll in unannounced- or pretty blue lights as beacons as you reluctantly find your way out the door to a waiting car... ah, Hedge's. We never know what will wait as we mark our return by weeks, then days, then hours. Hedge's and the Swift Family... we love,...

We continued returning to Hedges because of the drinks (martini with a side-car, anyone?!) and the location. Hedges has THE BEST front row seat to the sunset in the summer. And it’s a shame there are not more waterfront restaurants in the ROC-metro area. But this was likely our last visit to Hedges. The food quality is sub-par, menu is outdated and basic and their prices…please. This is not fine dining. $80 for a KC Strip? At Hedges? Nope. We arrived :45/min before our reservation with a goal of enjoying a cocktail on the lawn. We never got that cocktail. We were never acknowledged while standing at the bar (and we both had money in hand…just incase the staff was confused as to why we were there), nor able to order a drink for 35/minutes! Two very slow bartenders and one service bartender were behind the bar. Why so inefficient and slow? For one; they still hand write drink slips for accountability and put them in a drawer. They use a cell phone calculator to total your order and figure tax. And then run to a CC machine or cash drawer. No eye contact. No “I’m sorry we’re short handed - we’ll be right with you”. Nothing. No drink on the lawn for us that night. And we were not the only people with the same experience. Others also vented their frustration with me - and they had been waiting longer!!!

We gave up on the drink, abandoned our spots at the bar and sat at our table. I let our server know how long we’d waited at the bar (and gave up) and supposedly a bartender called in sick. When our drink was made wrong - a new excuse; a new bartender. Our food was mediocre at best. The water server spilled water all over the table at every fill with no clean up. Our dishes were cleared and taken from us while we were still chewing, had our utensils in our hands and plates were far from empty. Yes, we could’ve intercepted the clearing of plates but at this point - we were so annoyed we all wanted to leave. ASAP. And we did.

Sorry Hedges. We know you have a following and the corner on waterfront restaurant real estate. But you need to step up your game. If I’m going to spend this sort of money for dinner and drinks - I’m...