The Homeport Restaurant & Oyster Bar — Restaurant in Chilmark

I really wanted to like the homeport. I enjoyed the sort of retro concept and the location is hard to beat but the execution is pretty poor.

It seemed like the waitstaff was lacking some training so they did not execute on things like getting new silverware between courses, bringing bowls to discard shells or providing tools the break down the lobster.

Our party had to wait over an hour between courses. Clearly something went wrong with our ticket, which happens sometimes so I don't fault them for that. But when the manager came over after almost a hour of waiting we were informed that the kitchen was backed up (ok), They are short staffed (ok), They are new (?), and they are very conscious of the food quality so they may take more time.

The last point is the most troubling given the execution. I could forgive a lot for spectacular food but this was sadly not the case. Everything was a bit over seasoned and VERY heavy handed on the herbs which overpowered the flavors of the food. The tuna was not sliced correctly so it was falling apart. The salad was not dressed before it was plated (the dressing was simply poured over the top and not mixed at all).

Dessert was good (although it was pie-chicks not made in house) but it was also lacking on the execution from little things like sloppy plating to bigger things like the key lime pie was not served cold enough so the custard was starting to loosen up / get melty.

I would expect after waiting so long because they were so focused on the food quality that at minimum the salad could be dressed, especially at this price point.

We could overhear the people behind us complain that their meals came out cold as if they had been sitting too long. The manager came over to tell them that they serve the food immediately so it was not the issue. No matter what the cause, the fact remains that the food was cold and arguing the technicalities is not a great look.

To add insult to injury, when we finally received our entrees a server dropped a tray with the meal for one member of our party. Dropped trays happen and somehow always in the worst possible moment, I don't fault him for that. But the response was pretty sloppy. They quickly picked up the dish and most of the spilled food but there was no mop to be seen and when we left there was still cole slaw...

Back for 2022 after being closed the past two seasons! So glad the previous owners sold the place...hoping they also sell Beach Plumb Inn (they destroyed both places). New owners, new menu concept. Unfortunately, not that great. Biggest insult is the price. Reservations a must for this seafood restaurant with a more traditional menu and amazing view over the water. They are doing a prix fix three course menu this first year back. Pick an appetizer, entree, and dessert...prices vary depending on entree selected. Lobster, Chowder, fish n chips, salmon, stuffed quahogs, all good. Menu a bit basic. It's very expensive for what you get...everything on the island is expensive, but this really felt like being taken. We thought the prix fix was almost worth it our first time back in June ($75pp). The 2nd time...not so much. Even though they modified the $75pp prix fix to a more understandable price, depending on which entree you chose, it was not a great experience the 2nd time around. Note** they are not doing the "back door" take out anymore. We were fairly happy with our first visit in June, not so much in August (service wise) though. In June we had engaging, eager to please service from the host/manager and waiter. Perhaps because it was the beginning of the season and the new owners were eager to make a good first impression. In August we got the typical aloof kid who seemed stoned. Food was still good, but when paying that much, really expect much better (even just basic) service. Perhaps the end-of-season exodus of workers contributed to the lack of basic service. Spread thin, overworked, can't say under-paid with tips they were making, just a bad day...who knows. No silverware, no water refills, never cleared our two shell buckets for our lobster eaters (had to then put up with the flies they attracted throughout dessert), luke warm coffee, just seemed to not care. We will continue to go unless the bad service becomes a trend over the next few years with the new owners. Still can't...

We have been going to Homeport for years (25 at least) and waited through the COVID closure and were so excited when they opened again last summer. We went and although bummed about the loss of the take-away window and pre-fixe addition for both inside and outside, went anyway with adults and had OK things to say. We went this past Friday for our annual dinner with our kids (my husband’s favorite place on the island) and honestly don’t think we’ll ever be back. The pre fixe menu price went up again which is ridiculous and the food was worse - just mediocre (minus the oysters), and nothing to write home about. The kids menu is ridiculous - only options are butter noodles, a small plain burger and fries, or chicken tenders, which comes with a dessert and soft drink for $30. We usually skip the kids menu, but for $83 per person this seemed insane. I asked if my kids could at least pick something from the appetizers instead of the desserts and was met with a $7 upcharge each. (To top it off my oldest got food poisoning and was sick in the middle of the night.) It was $20 for them to give us glasses and twist off the top of our bottle of wine, and all in the experience for mediocre (and some bad) food was $450 for our family of five (with three kids 7.5, 6, and 3). This is not even fine dining - people are bathing suits, and coverups, cut off shorts, and the interior is the same as it always was. The patio has a more bougie feel than the inside, which is not something at all that matters to us, but good food and not gouging pricing does. The service was good, the waiter was very kind and attentive. It’s sad, the business model seems to have averted to completely and totally taking advantage of people for the view and it’s really just not with the Vineyard used to be about. Bring back the window, options for people to choose what they want to order and how much they want to pay, make food that’s worth the money, and review your business model....