Indulge in creamy chowder, local oysters, bottomless mimosas and more on a Chablis Cruise
“You get to experience beautiful Morro Bay from the water, and enjoy fresh from scratch food on the Chablis Cruise” – Annie Clapp
Get up close and personal with the wild inhabitants of Morro Bay aboard Chablis Cruises. See local animals like sea lions, harbor seals, egrets, white pelicans, and of course those adorable fuzzy sea otters. The best way to enjoy the beauty of Morro Bay might just be from the water.
Chablis Cruises offers public or private charters, and hosts public events weekly like the Saturday brunch, and Sunday chowder cruise. “You get to experience beautiful Morro Bay from the water, and enjoy fresh from scratch food on the Chablis Cruise,” says operator Annie Clapp. “We focus on farm-to-table cuisine. The flowers are from our garden, and we live on a Hass Avocado Farm locally,”
Ten years ago, Clapp and her family purchased the Morro Bay Coffee Company to start making their own pastries, and in 2007 they bought the Chablis in Northern California. This vessel is a unique, 50-foot, two-story flat-bottom riverboat that guides guests along a smooth, relaxed cruise,and is perfect for the whole family. The Chablis features a full bar with libations, and each weekend they go out for private charters, birthdays, private events, and reunions. Chablis Cruises is a wonderful way to experience the natural beauty of the area.
The owners of Chablis Cruises are a family; Annie Clapp, Shasta Rouch Birkey, and Patty Rouch, all are veterans of the US military. Executive chef, Rodney Clapp, married Annie after they met in culinary school. Both are classically trained in front-of-the-house and kitchen management.
“The crew is related, and working so close together is a blessing, we have each other’s backs,” says Annie.The family is very active in running the business together, and each person plays an important role. Every two years, they take it out for the Coast Guard inspections, and her brother does all of the work and repairs with her.
The bottom level of the boat has a spacious dining room and the upper level has a viewing deck, perfect for a sunny day of sightseeing. Sample from the generous and hearty brunch spread which includes an omelet station, fruits, frittatas, and free flowing champagne. Gnosh on sausages, ham, scalloped potatoes, salads, vegetarian frittata, or a few freshly homemade baked goods. Try a plate of waffles topped with berries, whipped cream and hot maple syrup.
Feeling like an elegant evening? Bring over your favorite bottle of wine, or visit the full-service bar. Want a little seafood with that wine? Join them for an oyster cruise, where you’ll savor the sweet briny flavors of fresh local oysters supplied by Grassy Bar, straight from Morro Bay to your plate, harvested within 8 hrs. Chablis Cruises aims to please and also offers a full-service wedding which includes DJ, cake, dinner, and flowers. The plushly decorated interior with its panoramic windows and rooftop deck make it the perfect setting for parties, business meetings, bridal showers, weddings, receptions, and events of all kinds. A cruise on Chablis will be a lasting memory.
“This is a great way to see Morro Bay,” a review says. “We have taken this cruise twice and had a great experience both times. There are a ton of cute otters that get close to the boat. You’ll also get to see a bunch of sea lions. The downstairs “bar” area is a great place to hang out if it is cold out with windows all around, and going above gives a great outdoor experience. This really is a perfect little two hour cruise of the bay.”
“I love the beauty of Morro Bay, it is such a lovely pace. We have the support of our neighbors on the dock, and people are very tight-knit in the community. It’s easy to ask for help and we get so much external support from the local fisherman, musicians, and the small-town charm is unlike anywhere else,” says Annie.
Chablis Cruises is located at 1204 Embarcadero, in Morro Bay. Hop on board between The Great American Fish Company and the Lil Hut Fish & Chips on the Northern end of the Embarcadero. For more information call (805)772-2128 or visit www.chabliscruises.com.
–Cassandra Frey
