March 13, 2018

Morro Bay: Anderson Inn + The Galley Seafood Grill + STAX Wine Bar; hotel review + restaurant review

1 South

Anderson Inn  

897 Embarcadero, (805) 772-3434.  8 rooms; 2 stories.  No pets. 

Located waterfront, the small family-owned boutique-style Anderson Inn lodging includes three deluxe guest rooms with a fireplace, soaking tub, and great view of the town's famous rock.  The others each have a small balcony from which you can also get a pretty good view.  All guest rooms are on the second level and feature a high vaulted ceiling, while the office is on the ground level.  An elevator makes arrival and departure a snap.  Part motel (you can park your car adjacent) and part boutique hotel (the decor is clean-lined contemporary), it provides spacious rooms and bathrooms and the convenience of being in the heart of town so you can walk most places.

guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California
guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California


view of Morro Rock from guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California
view of Morro Rock from guest room at Anderson Inn in Morro Bay, California


The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar 

Downstairs, (805) 772-7777.

The Galley Seafood Grill overlooks the harbor and has that same view of the rock.  A bank of comfortable booths provide prime seating.  Unfortunately, for dinner in fall and winter, darkness cuts out the great view of the rock.  In business since 1966, the restaurant specializes in premium seafood.  We started with a cup of the house clam chowder.  My main was shrimp scampi, with the prawns perched around a mound of garlic mashed potatoes and topped with fresh asparagus.  My partner had blackened rock fish.  Additional popular items include the pan-seared scallops, calamari steak, and several steaks.

interior of The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California
interior of The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California


shrimp scampi at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California
shrimp scampi at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California


blackened rock fish at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California
blackened rock fish at The Galley Seafood Grill & Bar in Morro Bay, California



STAX Wine Bar & Bistro

A few blocks away at 1099 Embarcadero, (805) 772-5055.

STAX Wine Bar & Bistro offers a wine menu that includes vintages from the Central Coast and from around the world.  We sat on a stool at the bar, which overlooks the quiet street and the old landmark power plant stacks, and did the basic tasting of five wines ($10/person) to Otis Redding background music.   We especially enjoyed a smooth Rhone from Arroyo Seco and a pretty Merlot from Rutherford.  If we hadn’t already made dinner arrangements, I would have stayed on for a glass of wine and the artichoke appetizer followed by a few more selections from the small-plate menu that features Morro Bay Grassy Bar oysters, locally made cheeses and meats, paninis, salads, and more.  Most of the seating is at the bar and raised tables, but a few couches let the friendly clientele get really cozy. 

interior of STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California
interior of STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California


wine tasting at STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California
wine tasting at STAX Wine Bar & Bistro in Morro Bay, California


More things to do in Morro Bay.

More ideas for exploring Northern California.

images ©2018 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

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