The Water’s Edge restaurant in Hesston has returned to full open dining for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The public is invited to again dine at the Hesston favorite that serves a wide variety of homemade classic dishes.
With its location on a senior living community at Schowalter Villa’s Lakeside Village, the restaurant has been taking extra precautions in its reopening plan to provide the highest infection control possible for residents who live at Schowalter Villa and frequent the restaurant.
“We’re excited to again be serving both Bluestem Communities residents and the general public in a way that looks more familiar to pre-pandemic life,” said David Hickoff, Water’s Edge general manager. “We’ve reached a place with vaccine availability, having offered a third dose to Bluestem Communities residents, current county COVID rates and just knowing more about the coronavirus in general that we feel good about this decision.”
The restaurant has been open to public dining since late spring 2021, but was only being promoted through word of mouth. Seating restrictions were in place for residents and general public with the number of diners per table limited. Bluestem Communities residents and the general public were also seated in different sections of the restaurant separated by partitions.
With the recent changes, in-person dining now looks much the way it did pre-pandemic, with just a few visible changes in place to continue infection control measures. Tables are spaced further apart from one another to allow for greater physical distancing but no partitions remain. Masking is encouraged for restaurant patrons while coming and going at the restaurant and whenever customers are up from their table. Restaurant staff continues to wear masks at all times as well.
The restaurant has also transitioned from buffet-style dining on Thursday evenings and Sundays. Instead, the Water’s Edge has an “all-inclusive interactive menu” that allows guests to select from an array of options to create their ideal plate. Likewise, salad bars are staffed rather in self-serve, and staff build customers’ salad per their instruction.
“To continue to safeguard against infection spread at the Water’s Edge, we feel it’s best to not offer buffets at this time,” said Grant Gordon, chef de cuisine. “Our alternatives still allow guests to have options that best suit them.”
Given the slightly lower capacity than pre-pandemic times due to table spacing, customers are encouraged to make reservations for dining times and with larger groups of four or more, though walk-in dining also remains available. Reservations can be made by calling 620-327-4099.
“With our limited seating capacity at this time, the restaurant fills up quite quickly during peak meal times,” said Hickoff. “Reservations allow us to provide appropriate seating without much waiting.”
The pandemic period allowed Water’s Edge to try some new things that will continue even with the return to normal. One of those changes is curbside pick up for to-go orders. Customers can call in their order and have it delivered to their vehicle. An updated menu with both new and favorite options is also welcoming diners back. The menu can be viewed online at watersedgehesston.com.
Water’s Edge is open Tuesday through Saturday from 7 AM to 2 PM, Thursdays from 5 to 7 PM with special weekly menus, and Sundays 11 AM to 2 PM. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Water’s Edge also offers catering options for special events.
Learn more about the Water’s Edge at watersedgehesston.com or contact at 620-327-4099.
