|
New
England dining >>> Mt. Vernon Restaurant, Somerville, Mass.
Somerville really
does begin at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant
by Eric H.
Years ago, the late John Henry
used to invite our family yearly to his Nahant, Mass., North
Shore summer home to enjoy good times, feast on lobster and watch
the scenic ocean views. It was a childhood highlight each year
visiting this kind, thoughtful man's wonderful summer home, as
well as going to Henry's landmark Mt. Vernon Restaurant in East
Somerville, Mass.
Even as children, we knew that
going to Nahant and the Mt. Vernon were special treats, as Mr.
Henry -- as we called him into our 30s -- taught us without being
preachy -- the value of hard work and the passion that fuels
dreams. Henry, who came to the United States from Ireland when
he was just 18 in 1935, opened the Mt Vernon restaurant before
World War II, and expanded upon his dining vision to make the
Mt. Vernon a household name in the Boston area. The restaurant
has gained a stellar reputation specializing in reasonably-priced
American fare and pub food, resulting the in old adage, "Somerville
officially begins at the Mt. Vernon," (which also refers
to its geographical location at the gateway of Somerville at
the Charleston line.)
The Mt. Vernon indeed approaches
near perfection in its steak, seafood and chicken dinners, especially
the perennial favorite, twin lobster, and the wonderfully fresh
and ample roast turkey, roast beef, shrimp scampi and steak tips
dinners. The Mt. Vernon also features a Sunday morning and afternoon
brunch that puts others to shame with a long table serving an
endless array of breakfast, lunch and dinner favorites.
Henry's son, Marty, has run the
restaurant for many years now (John Henry died in 2000), with
his son Brett taking on many managing responsibilities. The second
and third generation of Henry restauranteurs have maintained
the high quality and attention to detail that has made the Mt.
Vernon a legend amongst those looking for a high quality, fairly-priced
meal. Add to that the traditionally great service a warm, living
room- like atmosphere (with nice wood tones and a fireplace in
the main dining room) and you have a recipe that makes one understand
that there's no need to get too fancy when it comes to operating
a restaurant -- all that's needed is a mastery over the basics
to make it come alive.
The Mt. Vernon also features
an extensive wine list and a bar that offers several draft beers
on tap.
The Mt. Vernon Restaurant is
an ideal neighborhood restaurant that serves as an unofficial
model of how a "local" establishment should be run,
offering timeless favorites in a timeless atmosphere in the heart
of a neighborhood known for many years as being hard-working,
community-oriented and close. John Henry's culinary vision just
proves that enjoying what one does and having a plan with a strong
vision is every bit as strong a recipe as some of the great dishes
served at this noteworthy restaurant.
The Mount Vernon Restaurant
14 Broadway
Somerville, Mass.
Tel. (617) 666-3830
|