Dinner: Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill and Bar
Seafood sits on the throne here, and salmon is king in this dining room reminiscent of a tribal longhouse. Watch your catch of the day roast over Alderwood coals on ironwood sticks – a traditional preparation of wild Alaskan Sockeye by the Tulalip tribes – and be sure to sample shucked-to-order oysters or a fresh and crunchy romaine hearts Caesar, garnished with a fist-sized roasted garlic crouton ring. Or go big with the Pacific NW Bounty Bowl, a greatest hits compilation of local seafood: Dungeness and Alaskan king crab legs, prawns, mussels, clams, wild salmon and lobster saffron bisque, plus grilled fingerlings and asparagus. The Northwest-focused drink list is one crafted and curated by award-winning sommelier Tommy Thompson, like the 2015 Figgins Wine Riesling from Walla Walla and Toil Oregon‘s 2015 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.
Breakfast: Cedars Cafe
After a restful evening in your room, ride the elevators back down to the lobby where you’ll find Cedars Cafe, adjacent to the front desk. Simplistic and comfortable, the restaurant and its menu oblige with regular diner fare, from gargantuan burgers to a wide selection of seasonally rotating breakfast and brunch options. A proprietary house coffee blend is served piping hot and table-side, while fresh “Good Morning!” juices are also available to quench your thirst next to a Morning Glory stack of pancakes or your choice of four different benedicts. Try the version titled Pacific Northwest, where two poached eggs are served next to Dungeness crab and baby spinach leaves, dredged in classic hollandaise sauce on a toasted English muffin.
Lunch: The Draft
Probably one of the wisest remodels to the resort casino, The Draft sports bar is the latest incarnation of a space that once held a oft-rowdy nightclub. Now, the modern pub atmosphere is amplified by a 14-foot by 9-foot wall matrix of high-definitions TVs. Focused on local beers, regional wines by the glass, craft cocktails and pub fare, you can find eight beers and ciders on tap and a killer patio featuring pod hanging chairs, gas fire pits and outdoor furniture straight out of a Crate & Barrel catalog. If your game isn’t on, grab a seat outside, weather permitting, and order the TD Jumbo Wing Board with three different sizes and six sauces to choose from, the Sherman-Style Smothered Fries (layers of fries, melted cheddar, house-made chili, bacon, green onions, pico de gallo, guacamole) or the pork schnitzel served with an apple remoulade.
Happy Hour: Journeys East
Step one: order the Hou Hou Shu sparkling sake. Step two: try the Dragon G&T, gin muddled with dragon fruit and topped with tonic. Step three: knock out a few signature apps where shrimp is the name of the game, like the Xia Wan (ground and seasoned shrimp rolled in shredded spring roll wrappers served with a honey-wasabi dipping sauce), the Goi Cuon (fresh Vietnamese shrimp spring rolls) and the Har Gow (steamed shrimp dumplings). Need a sushi roll in your life? Journeys East has 18 options to choose from, with both traditional and New World takes. A centrally located display kitchen fuses flavors from Japan, Thailand, China, Korea and Vietnam at this brightly lit and “zen-focused” restaurant and bar.
Dinner: Tulalip Bay Restaurant
Find sommelier Tommy Thompson and do to everything he recommends. A whiskey cocktail made table-side from the roving drink cart? Okay! How about a bottle of a limited release Brunello from a storied Tuscan winery or a small-batch Pinot Noir Blanc from the lauded Domaine Serene in Willamette Valley? Pull my leg. This is the restaurant for the ultimate indulgences, where you will roll yourself down the aisles of the gaming floor back to your room after. A steakhouse in concept with a tighter menu than the other joints, Northwest seafood dishes, like dense Dungeness crab cakes and fire-roasted King salmon, are thoughtfully woven in between house-made pastas and classic beef cuts from Washington’s Double R Ranch. Filet, New York and bone-in ribeye, plus a smoked pork belly steak, satisfy meat lover cravings, expertly cooked and plated to medium-rare perfection.
At this point, unless you need to scratch that gambling itch, you might just have to go to bed – of course, you could satisfy said itch by checking out something like an online sportsbook (read this Oddsmonkey Review to see if this option is for you). Belly full, underneath the cushy down comforter of your seemingly ever-expanding mattress, you can rest accomplished. You did the Tulalip Resort Casino dining experience right.
Cedars is conveniently located across from the hotel lobby.
360-716-1276
Monday - Thursday
7AM - 1AM
Friday
7AM - 6AM
Saturday
24 hours
Sunday
6AM - 1AM
Cedars Café serves up a wide range of menu offerings, providing a relaxed atmosphere for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. The Chef’s approach to food is simple and straight forward, celebrating classic dishes fromcoffee shop favorites and hearty breakfasts served until 2PM to grand half-pound monster burgers, as wellas slow roasted prime rib and seasonal salads. The cafe scene is set with a twinkling fiber optic night sky ceiling that compliments the large cedar wrapped columns, and the lively decor and comfortable furnishings.