Our last evening in Boston consisted of a meal at Menotomy Grill, but before going there we stopped to visit the Longfellow House located at 105 Brattle Street. The beautiful home was built in 1759 by John Vassall. Mister Vassall was loyal to the King and chose to abandon the house when George Washington and the Continental Army marched into Cambridge.
Finding the house empty General Washington moved in and used it as his headquarters during his time in Boston. In 1843 the house became the property of the noted American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who lived in the house until his death in 1882.
The house is worth your time and is a great example of the colonial period. The part of the visit that I most enjoyed was the walk through the gardens behind the house. I would love to return to the house in summer when everything is in full bloom. As I walked through the gardens I could imagine Longfellow walking as I was with pen in hand.
After the tour we returned to our hotel – the Homewood Suites by Hilton in Arlington. Beside the hotel is the Menotomy Grill and Tavern. The Menotomy Grill also has its part in history. It was built at the site where another tavern once stood. The older tavern that the Menotomy Grill and Tavern replaced was Cooper’s Tavern.
After the battles of Lexington and Concord the British army returned to Boston. The return march was not pleasant for them. Americans were up in arms and fired upon the British every step of the way. Their march through Arlington was the worst part.
Hearing that the British were approaching the Coopers decided to hide in their cellar. They had only two customers in the tavern, Jabez Wyman and Jason Winship, who refused to hide with them. When the British saw the light in the tavern they entered and killed both men then drug their bodies out into the road.
Enough of the history, let’s talk food. The Menotomy Grill and Tavern has wonderful food and a menu which should satisfy anyone. I had the Braised Pork Shank, which came with cheesy bacon grits, a fried egg, and cilantro. It was a great contrast of flavors and textures. It is something really worth trying.
Also at the table we had herb roasted chicken with a potato sausage stuffing, a grilled chicken BLT which came with a chipotle aioli. Just saying grilled chicken BLT says it all, you know it was good. For those who like to combine the modern with the past, the Grill has a drink called the Cooper Flip in honor of the other tavern.
The Menotomy Grill and Tavern was a great end to our time in Boston and Cambridge.
