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A three-year-old gave this reaction to her Christmas dinner:
"I don't like the turkey, but I like the bread he ate." ~Author Unknown
The Galley
Seafood Grill & Bar
The quote above has very little to do with our current review, but it was too funny not to share, as we all look back at our holiday feasts with satisfaction. Our own table featured prime rib, au jus, horseradish sauce, mashed potatoes, spinach salad, Chardonnay-braised carrots, and Fausto's obligatory pumpkin pie. We eat well, even when not dining out, but for a wonderful treat, try The Galley at 899 Embarcadero in Morro Bay. The restaurant is open daily with lunch from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 5 p.m.
We'll get on to the food in a moment, but let us describe first the afternoon light that floods the beautifully remodeled restaurant, and the location right on the edge of the water, which cannot be topped. The view of the bay, sand spit, activities of sea life, and, of course, stately Morro Rock can be enjoyed from any of the booths or tables. The warm colors, fabric textures, generous windows, and pendant lighting are stunning and tasteful. The owners made the right choices two years ago when they renovated the dining room. There is also a promenade just outside with white lights strung along the railing to invite strolling.
There are always specials from which to choose. I started with a lovely salad sprinkled with two of my favorite things: blue cheese and bacon. I offered the crispy something-or-other on the side of my plate to Fausto, then regretted it. It was a beet, he reported, but it looked more like a dark potato chip. I mentioned it to our server, Jennifer, and she surprised me with another one, since I had missed out. I could have stopped at that point, completely satisfied with my generous pour of Sauvignon Blanc, bread, and the salad. Fausto tried a cup of French onion that was flavorful and served its purpose in activating his appetite. I would have preferred a more traditional chunk of bread floating on top, but he was pleased. Another starter we tried was the breaded calamari; with both tartar sauce and a red sauce on the platter. When the halibut ceviche special was delivered to another pair of diners, it turned my head; it was piled high on a tortilla with avocado slices, embellished with chips. How many appetizers can we try in one night, I wondered?
It's all about seafood at The Galley. They offer their fish "naked." Diners can customize their orders by choosing the preparation style and the sauces to accompany them. That night we had the choices of yogurt dill, mango salsa, or traditional tartar sauce, but Fausto did not feel the need to dip in, since his fish was "blackened" with plenty of flavor to hold its own. I seem to be stuck on the seared scallops, having ordered them twice now - this night as the appetizer. The entrée version includes nicely presented vegetables, and I have to admit the mashed potatoes do go well with the sauce that accompanies the perfectly undercooked scallops.
The entire staff has always been attentive and welcoming. One especially busy night, we were told it could be awhile so we walked outside with our two friends to discuss other options. Host Dave Peter hurried out to the parking lot and graciously invited us back with a table that had opened up sooner than he thought. Check out their website and click on the reviews to read more about the dedicated people who make dining such a fun and flavorful experience at The Galley.
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