New England Dining Reviews >>> Mt. Vernon Restaurant, Somerville, Mass., Dining Review

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 Boston area dining landmark, the Mt. Vernon Restaurant in East Somerville, MA.

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, MA
Tel. (617) 666-3830