Enjoy bay and rock views from the deck of Blue Sky Café
Bistro on the Bay
Denise Robson always had a dream to become a vintner. Instead she and partner Alan Harrison bought Blue Sky Café on the Morro Bay waterfront in 2010 and became restaurateurs; the couple has since seen their business thrive on Morro Bay’s beautiful Embarcadero going on four years.
Robson had experience in the restaurant business, although never as an owner. Since purchasing the café, she and Harrison have upgraded the kitchen and refurbished the interior. Blue Sky Café, with its ideal location on the Embarcadero and an abundance of outdoor seating right on the waterfront, showcases a sterling view of Morro Rock and the sand spit. For those windy days, there is glassed in patio seating.
“We like to think of this place as a Bistro,” Robson said. Some of the offerings and amenities that the couple has introduced over the years definitely tie in to this idea. “Along with the great food on the menu, we feature a great selection of local wines including wines from Le Vigne who helped us pair their wines with our menu.”
Another dream of Robson – being a vintner – was fulfilled when developing Blue Sky’s first premium wine with First Crush Winemaking Experience of Paso Robles. “It’s a full-bodied, smooth blend with Malbec, Cabernet Sauvigon, and Syrah,” Harrison said. After finding success with this first blend, the owners are moving forward with three new varietals in 2014, including a Chardonnay and a couple of premium red wines.
Full menu of breakfast, lunch & dinner items
Breakfast is served all day – locals and visitors alike favor the Blue Sky Benedicts – with delights such as omelets, scrambles, and the locally-famous breakfast burritos. Lunch offerings include fresh salads, homemade soups and savory sandwiches. Lobster Bisque and clam chowder, made from scratch, is found served in bread bowls; both are some of the most popular items on the menu. Dinner offerings range from the catch of the day and pasta dishes to burgers and steaks. Vegetarians will also find a large selection to choose from on the menu and the staff is happy to adapt most meals.
“We have meatless meals on the menu,” Robson said, “and we can adapt many of the meals to vegetarians.”
For the kids, Blue Sky has a special menu with selections such as Mac & Cheese and Peanut Butter and Jelly – they also offer coloring books and crayons. Outside diners are often entertained by area musicians as they watch the local wildlife, whether it may be seals, sea lions or pelicans. Dogs are welcome on the patio and there are heaters outside for those cooler days or evenings.
“We also have a large screen TV for sporting events and we offer free Wi-Fi,” Robson said.
Locally-sourced foods
Joebella Organic Free Trade Coffee from Atascadero is served in addition to a house blend using beans from Brazil and Ethiopia. The ingredients used at Blue Sky are locally-sourced; they use pesticide-free and organic products where and when possible, and dishes are always fresh, made from scratch and made to order. The staff takes prides in using free-range eggs and chickens, as well as premium Angus beef for hamburgers and choice cuts of beef for steak dishes.
“We locally-source our seafood when possible but, just as importantly, we seek out the healthiest and freshest seafood we can find,” Robson said.
Special events and fundraisers are held throughout the year at Blue Sky and those interested may reserve the restaurant for their own special occasion.
“We enjoy creating a fun environment during holidays and private parties,” Robson said.
Happy hour & special events
Happy Hour takes place every day from 4-6 p.m. and features beer and wine discounts. Beers on tap include premium beers from Firestone Brewery, Figueroa Mountain, Alaskan Amber, and Pacifico. A source of pride for Robson and Harrison is how the entire staff helps to maintain a theme of “Food, Fun & Friends” to ensure all customers feel at home while enjoying prompt, courteous service and great food.
Going forward, plans at Blue Sky include promotions such as “Sunset Dinner” specials, a “Dinner and a Movie” night and inviting local wineries to participate in “Meet the Winemaker” events featuring wine tastings and food pairings. Also in the works, a Breakfast Club with special offers sent to members via email.
“This is our dream come true,” Robson said. “Now that we have become established, we are so grateful to have made so many friends. We look forward to each day when we see familiar and new faces walk through our door.”
With continued success, plans for the future and, of course, the amazing food and drink served each and every day, Blue Sky Café really lives up to its well-deserved title of Bistro on the Bay!
Blue Sky Cafe is located at 699 Embarcadero in Morro Bay. For more information call (805) 772-8988 or visit BlueSkyeCafe.com.
— Ruth Ann Angus
