How long will dinner take?

Usually 3-4 hours

How much food is it? Should I not eat at all that day?

While you should certainly come hungry, treat this as you would any other dinner. The goal is for you to leave full & satisfied, but not overstuffed.

Does Gardner eat along with us?

Nope - this is essentially a private restaurant-like experience. I'll be in and out with drinks and food, and enjoy hanging out for a few minutes as I can.

Should we help clear plates or bring food out?

Nope - I got this! It's fun for me to replicate the restaurant experience. You just need to enjoy the evening and the food!

So, what is expected of us?

Reimbursement for food and honest feedback about which dishes you liked the best, the ones you didn't like as much, and any ideas for constructive feedback. See more on here.

How much of a say do diners get in the food? Do we order from a menu?

Honestly, not much. The dinners are pre-fixe tasting menu format, and I try to find the best ingredients and preparations I can to serve you the best possible meal. If you have an ingredient that you absolutely love and would like to make it part of a special dinner, please let me know and I’d be happy to feature it if I can source it. Similarly, if there’s something you detest, let me know, and I can probably avoid it (with few exceptions). Outside of dietary restrictions (see below), I can accommodate avoiding 1-2 ingredients, but not much more. Homard is going to please people with adventurous palates and likely frustrate picky eaters. You can see a sample of food that is served here or on my Instagram page.

Do you consider dietary restrictions?

Generally, yes. I’ve made dinners that are gluten free, dairy free, and both at the same time. I haven’t yet done a vegetarian menu, but I’m open to the challenge and feel confident I could deliver a tasty, nuanced and luxurious vegetarian dinner. Vegan is still a work in progress for me - I’d love to offer a vegan dinner option, but I need be confident that you’ll get a stellar dinner before I offer it. More updates to come on this front!

If you have any restrictions that require you to avoid cross-contaminants and trace amounts of a given food, let’s talk first. I’ll share what process & precautions I can put in place, and you can decide your comfort level from there.

How much does the food cost?

All prices at Homard are strictly based on reimbursement for raw ingredients purchased. While that may seem straightforward, it’s been a learning process as the ingredients change with every dinner and what’s available seasonally. I’m trying to get to the point where I don’t lose money on every dinner :-)

Starting January 2022, prices start at $160 for a party of 2 and increase based on ingredient tiers and party size. There is some cost efficiency for larger parties. Wine pairings start at $15 per person for 4 pairings (equivalent of 1/2 bottle per person). As with the food, wine is priced solely based on the cost. Think of it as BYO but where I’m picking it up from the wine store for you and you’re paying me back.

If you have any questions about prices before you book, feel free to email me and I’ll share the full price list.

Can I expect great service like I would find at a top tier restaurant?

In a word, no. For now and the foreseeable future, Homard is a one man band. The guy who is cooking is also the guy who is bussing, pouring your wine, checking your water, plating, inspecting, serving, dishwashing, and listening to music and having fun himself while doing it all. As part of all of this juggling, I do sincerely want your experience here to be as good as it can be. What I lack in dedicated time & attention for service alone, I hope to make up for in enthusiasm, and I’m always open to feedback and requests.

How do I get a reservation?

Dinners at Homard are invitation only.