The
Henry Family welcomes you to
Mount Vernon
John Henry was just 18 when he arrived here from Ireland
in 1935. He was a young lad in his 20's when he started
the Mount Vernon Pub on the site of the Somerville Meat
Company. Henry led his family through the Great Depression
and went on to expand and build the Mount Vernon Restaurant
into the landmark that it is today.
There's an old
saying "Somerville begins at the Mount Vernon Restaurant."
The Mount Vernon is real Somerville, and just like Somerville,
it has many different faces. There is the pub with 14 draft
beers on tap and central bar with plenty of booths on either
side of the room. There is the front room with upscale natural
wood, as well as a fireplace. There is the back room with
more tables and a laid back atmosphere. Then there are function
rooms that range from large to intimate. There are also
the folks who work at the Mount Vernon, and a lot of them
have been there for years. Say hello to waitresses Judy
and Teri, Steve the bartender, and Jeanne the hostess.
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.
The sliced Roast
Beef Sandwich has been famous since 1935. Kelly's eat your
heart out!
We were knocked
out by the Mount Vernon Chicken Saute: fresh sauteed chicken
with spinach, chopped tomatoes and mozzarella cheese served
over rigatoni stuffed with feta cheese, spinach and artichoke
hearts all done in a light garlic and butter sauce. We were
taken from the sublime to the fantastic with this dish.
John Henry died
in 1998, but his family continues to keep the range fires
burning brightly in his honor. His son, Marty, started working
at the Mount Vernon when he was 14 years old, and he is
still working there today and holding court to all the many
friends he has made. Marty's son Brett, is now the managing
force and you will find him on duty moving room from room
on any given day or night.
Somewhere up
above, the spirit of John Henry is watching over the Mount
Vernon. Many of us who were privileged enough to know him
can remember him playing host to numerous occasions and
charity events in and around Somerville.
The Henry family
has given back to the Somerville community in many ways
and they continue to be a strong and supportive force in
this city. John Henry's kind ways, smiling eyes, and he,
with a bit of brogue, will be remembered for many years
to come.
by Ross E. Blouin,
as featured in
The Somerville News
