It’s been a long time since I last mentioned Mount Vernon Restaurant in East Somerville. The Mount Vernon is an institution in Somerville as generations of local citizenry have eaten and drank there. John Henry opened the bar in 1935 just after Prohibition ended. John was the consummate host and bartender. He believed in the basics of hospitality: a good drink, good food and a reasonable price all served with a warm smile. John has passed on now but his son and grandchildren are carrying on the tradition. Mount Vernon Restaurant is still a great place to go and has not lost its charm. Years ago I coined the phrase “Somerville Begins At The Mount Vernon.” It is the first restaurant you come to when you exit the Orange Line at Sullivan Square.

The Mount Vernon is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week and also features weekend brunch and private dining rooms for special functions. They will even come to you and cater your special event and they will customize the menu just for you.

A visit to the Mt. Vernon is always a fun event. If you are feeling casual and want to hang out with your friends, you can go to the bar side and enjoy the Bar Menu, play Keno, and schmooze with the “Villens.” Don’t be surprised if you spot a few notable faces in the crowd, some very interesting, famous and infamous people have been known to frequent this establishment.

You will want to try the main dining room, especially cozy in the wintertime when the fireplace is lit. The banquets are comfortable and there are plenty of secluded spots for your dining comfort. Order a drink and be prepared for the classic pony glass served in a glass bowl of ice. The last time I remember seeing this style of beverage service was at the Ritz. Somehow my Manhattan tastes better when I can adjust the water and the ice.

The Menu is an eclectic collection of traditions past. The seafood is the standout here. Four people can try the Baked New England Sampler for $16.99 with Oysters Rockefeller, Clams Casino and Scallops wrapped in bacon…goes great with cocktails. They also have Thai Calamari, Shrimp Cocktail, a Fried Clam Appetizer and more.

Soups and salads are well represented with Lobster Bisque, Clam Chowder, Crock of Onion Soup, etc. There are always salad selections available and they will make anything your heart desires.

The meat selections are always good. Understand, this place is steeped in tradition so the meats are your basics, served in Flintstone proportions. If you like Prime Rib, Steak, Roast Beef Turkey, Pork Chops, etc. you cannot go wrong. There is also a sandwich menu available and I have to tell you that the corned beef is about as good as you can find above New York City. They are also famous for their Roast Beef Sandwich…a staple that old John Henry insisted on from day one. Again, there are specials available like the Two-For-One Dinners at $22.00 for two people. There is also a list of Dinner Specials. The October Special was a Baked Stuffed Pork Chop with applesauce, potato and vegetable for $12.99. By the way, dinner begins with the homemade popovers that remind me of my grandmother. Giant popovers hot out of the oven served with butter are a great way to start the meal.

The real star here is the seafood. The Mount Vernon has its own lobster supplier and there are always lobster specials, sometimes Sundays and Mondays. The Haddock is really good, baked-stuffed, fried or plainly broiled. The Fried Fisherman’s Platter at $29.99 is enough to feed 3 people. The Hot Fudge Sundae for dessert is enough to write home about.

Boston was once dotted with O’Henry era restaurants but now the Mount Vernon stands as one of the last of its class. I think O’Henry would have liked the Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon Restaurant & Pub
14 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
Phone: (617) 666-3830
Hours: Mon-Thu 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.
Fri-Sun 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m.

Ross Blouin is a well-known real estate broker in Somerville who has had a lifetime of cooking experience. At age 18 he apprenticed under Anthony Degalis, a distinguished Russian Chef from the Biltmore Hotel chain. Ross worked for Homer Vine, longtime Chef of The Old Mill in Westminster, MA. While attending Northeastern University, Ross worked at The Top Of The Hub, in Boston. He then went on to a two year stint at the Ritz Carleton Hotel in Boston, under famous French Chef, Yves Menez, who was honored by the President of France as Meilleur Ouvrier De France, 1982. Ross worked under Robert Bergeron, Chef of The Ritz Grill, and with Jim Heywood, who would go on to become famous at The Culinary Institute Of America. Ross ran the hot food section at McKinnon’s in Davis Square, 1992-1995. Ross and McKinnon’s owner, Jim Kontos, cooked and donated over 1,500 meals for The Committee For A Response To Aids, directed by Robert Publicover. Ross was given honorable mention in The Boston Globe three times while at McKinnon’s and has been lauded for his many contributions of culinary expertise to various community organizations and charities.