The menu still reflects John Henry's style of a good, old-fashioned tavern that serves an eclectic selection that is based on years of success with local palates. Overall, the food is hearty, delicious, and ranges from plain to intricate.

Start with cocktails, wine, beer, or appetizers, and you will see that you are being taken care of in a nice way. The cocktails are served in a pony glass sitting in a bowl of ice with your empty cocktail glass on the side. The wine selection is succinct, but good of quality. You will have your choice of very decent whites and reds. I was particularly pleased with the Ruffino Chianti, which is always one of my favorites.

The main menu consists of lamb chops, pork chops, chicken and turkey, with a special concentration on fine beef: sirloins, filets, London Broil, steak tips, and large slabs of prime ribs. The steaks come in large portions and you can choose choice or prime sirloin. The steaks are cooked to order and are very nicely done with that addictive char broil flavor.

The Mount Vernon has always had lobster. They are able to buy the lobsters directly from the boats. You can get them boiled, baked stuffed, casseroled, and in a cold salad. Their Twin Lobster Special is famous. You will not find a better deal anywhere unless you are up for a three hour drive in a northerly direction.

Along with the lobster, the seafood menu is full and varied, including scallops, haddock, schrod, salmon, shrimp, and fried clams. You might want to try their version of surf and surf called Salmon Rockefeller: baked salmon topped with lobster meat, spinach, and hollandaise sauce.

(above text courtesy of Ross E. Blouin, as featured in The Somerville News)