Downtown’s Rosy’s at the Beach continues its charm with new owners

Rosy Bergin sold popular eatery a year ago

Even though I’ve lived in Morgan Hill for my entire life, I never tried the food from Rosy’s at the Beach until a random Tuesday a few months ago when I enjoyed the most flavorful fish tacos. Fresh, lemony, and cooked to perfection, the salmon melted in my mouth.

Recently, I met the new owners of Rosy’s, Pam Novak and Vanessa Bermudez. Little did I know the downtown restaurant had much more in store beyond fish tacos. Its peaceful, Hawaiian-like ambiance, matched with top quality service, creates a delightful experience.

Vanessa and Pam have owned Rosy’s for about a year, after Rosy Bergin sold the business to them. Rosy knew them through the interior decorating company they own. Before they even knew Rosy owned Rosy’s At The Beach, both women were established customers at the restaurant.

When Rosy sold her business, she ensured that the transition was as seamless as possible. She not only trained the owners for six weeks, she welcomed them to her Morgan Hill community. It is this warmth that Vanessa and Pam hope to give back.

Established in Morgan Hill more than 28 years ago, Rosy’s at the Beach gets its success from its community. The restaurant supports local businesses by offering wines from local wineries such as Rosy’s brand, LUV, which is produced near San Martin. Both owners ensure the restaurant caters for as many community events as possible. Recently, they helped Airs for Paws, a charity raising funds for the air masks firefighters use for cats and dogs that inhale smoke.

Other than catering, the restaurant looks to give back through a dinner night for underprivileged families. The aim for the event is that underprivileged families pay 50 percent of the original price for a meal at Rosy’s.

Running Rosy’s has been an adventure for Pam and Vanessa. Their biggest motivation to keep going has been their customers. They hope to take this positive feedback and use it to possibly expand Rosy’s in the future, perhaps by an actual beach.

Active, and constantly managing Rosy’s, Pam and Vanessa find delegating certain responsibilities among one another produces the best flow in the restaurant. Vanessa manages most of the kitchen staff and their work, as well as the marketing/email lists for the restaurant. Pam manages the financial aspect of the restaurant. She also pays close attention to the aesthetics of the dishes and drinks. Even though they each have their specific focuses, both owners work together and serve as each other’s checks and balances.

Not only did the owner’s prior experience as interior designers aid their business journey, it added a new look to Rosy’s, reflected in the subtle modifications made to the restaurant’s interior, in hopes to preserve the beautiful originality of the space.

Rosy’s cuisine is “New American with a twist.” Not only is a tasty variety of seafood offered, there are also chicken and beef dishes on the menu. With the option to make any dish vegetarian, customers cannot leave Rosy’s hungry.

The owners each have their favorite dishes off the menu, such as Vanessa’s favorite: the seafood summer salad. Unique to Rosy’s, the dish includes ingredients from the sea such as prawns, salmon, and scallops, with classic flavors such as bacon, blue cheese, and more. One of Pam’s go-to meals is the garlic prawns and scallops, a garlicky risotto topped with fresh scallops and prawns.

There’s never a dull moment at Rosy’s, as there’s always a delicious special every day — even on days when they don’t call it a “special.” Customers enjoy the restaurant’s famous Taco Tuesday, beloved by many locals

On Thursdays, the $1 oyster deal draws in a crowd, making diners feel like they’re at the beach Thirsty? Fresh specialty drinks make every day feel like it’s summer, such as the lychee martini, a new martini made the Southeast Asian fruit.

Known for their Mai Tais, Rosy’s also serves the Big Kahuna, and the Blue Lagoon, all tying into the restaurant’s relaxing Hawaiian theme.

“The food and the service keep customers coming back,” Vanessa said. She believes Rosy’s established customers are more like friends and family than just clientele. Called by their first names and having their favorite meals before them before even ordering, customers often describe the restaurant to feel like a second home.
Rosy’s At The Beach has been a family-run business since it opened. Despite it changing management, it has kept that close-knit nature over time. From the bussers, to servers, to kitchen staff, everyone gets along and knows another.

From the mouthwatering flavors, to the staff that knows their customers on a first name basis, Rosy’s has long been a Morgan Hill favorite.

Ishq Kandhra is a junior at Sobrato High School. She wrote this column with mentorship from publisher Marty Cheek.