The guy who runs the fitness center in our office building suggested a dining review on the Torch Grill in the Quil Ceda Creek Casino in Tulalip.
“We go every couple of months,” he said. “They serve a nice little breakfast for a fair price and it’s always been good. I get scrambled eggs and ham and hashed browns.”
Wait, the buff fitness guy eats hashed browns?
“Sometimes you just gotta have some hashed browns,” he said.
The fitness guy added: “There’s no smoking in the restaurant. If you can make it through the casino and get in there it’s fine.”
The grill’s extensive breakfast menu of omelets, bacon, sausage, oats and pancakes was tempting. A Yelp reviewer called it “the Holy Grail of breakfast.”
With breakfast covered, I went at lunch. The parking lot was packed. This is, after all, a casino. And it was a Saturday.
Inside, the aisles were aglow with the flashing lights of slot machines with hovering slumps of people mesmerized by the animation and fantasy of riches.
I was tempted to stop, just for a few minutes and a few dollars, but my family members knew better than to let me get off course. They ushered me to the grill, which is sealed from the casino by glass doors, keeping the smoke and noise at bay.
We were greeted by a friendly hostess who led us to a booth in the bright room with a stylish red-and-black decor and tables with white linens.
We sank into a comfortable booth. The ambience is relaxing. It makes you want to stay, not eat and run. The menu is extensive, with options to ponder.
We agreed on the crostini appetizer ($4.99), which came with two plump heads of roasted garlic and an olive oil-balsamic vinegar dip.
It arrived within a few minutes. At the same time, a basket of rolls also arrived, with a bowl of whipped creamy butter, the way butter is meant to be.
I could have dined on bread alone.
The roasted garlic was tasty but not overpowering. The crostini was crunchy good. The rolls melted in my mouth.
The shrimp fettuccine alfredo pasta ($12.99) came with a piece of bread that was nothing special. The alfredo sauce was some of the best I’ve ever had and the noodles were cooked just right.
The Mediterranean burger ($8.99) on ciabatta roll had tzatziki sauce, feta cheese and sliced cucumber. My husband said it had a zing of spice without being heavy.
We all liked the sweet potato waffle fries with a savory dipping sauce.
My vegetarian daughter didn’t want a full-fledged veggie burger or a full-fledged salad, but she wanted both. So, she asked the waitress if she could have a veggie patty cut up in a salad. They were happy to do so, and for less than $8.
The menu has everything from meatball stroganoff and prime rib to healthy choices and small bites options.
The entrees seemed to take forever to come, which was good because we weren’t in a hurry and the bread was wonderful. Also, a steady stream of servers came by to fill our water cups and coffee.
The bill came to about $50, including tip.
On the way out, we stopped to play our vice of choice. We lost our cash allowance in much less time than it took to get the appetizer.
We dropped more money on casino games than on lunch. But at least we had a good meal to show for it.
Torch Grill
Inside Quil Ceda Creek Casino, 6410 33rd Ave NE, Tulalip; 360-716-1700; www.quilcedacreekcasino.com/Dining/TorchGrill
Hours: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Alcohol: Full bar; beer on tap and bottles, wine and mixed drinks.
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