About Menotomy Grill & Tavern

In the Algonquin language, "menotomy" translates to "swift running water." In Massachusetts, it's more than just a word; it was also the original name given to Arlington when the town was established in 1635. Today, Menotomy Grill & Tavern honors that legacy through its own name a spirit, blending together a welcoming mix of urban decor, updated tavern fare, and references to the area's pre-Revolutionary War history. That history is most evident in one of the tavern's signature cocktails, the Cooper's Flip, which references a skirmish fought on the steps of Cooper's Tavern after the battles of Concord and Lexington. The drink combines rum, cask ale, molasses, and pumpkin, recreating what the tavern's patron might have been drinking before they plunged into battle.

The restaurant references the past in other ways as well, including live blues and roots performances and a menu with recipes that have survived the tests of time. Many of these draw upon New England's maritime history, with hearty clam chowder and tender cod cakes harkening back to a time when fishermen roamed the seas and a scallop was elected governor of Rhode Island. More contemporary eats, meanwhile, include braised pork shank with cheesy bacon grits and marinated steak tips with herbed parmesan fries.