Tulalip, Washington — There’s a lot to celebrate at Tulalip Resort Casino as two of the property’s coveted establishments take home the Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award Excellence”! The Wine Spectator’s Restaurant Awards program honors restaurants across 50 states and more than 79 countries.
Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill & Bar showcases traditional Tulalip tribal cooking techniques and has recently been awarded its 2019 Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence.”
“Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill is a Northwest seafood grill, so my objective is to select wines from Washington state to complement the culinary team’s menu,” said Tulalip Resort Casino Sommelier Tom Thompson. “Price and approachable wines are also significant factors in my decision-making, so I always look for quality in the glass paired with a good value.”
Tula Bene Pastaria + Chophouse, the Resort’s newest dining destination, is the 2019 recipient of its first Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence” honor.
“Tula Bene has an internationally focused wine list with offerings of 40 wines by the glass,” Thompson said. “We also offer a minimum of 15 Italian wines by the glass at this dining destination. Our featured ‘house’ wines are locally crafted beauties by Sean Boyd of Proletariat Wines.”
These two standout restaurants are among the eight establishments garnering attention at Tulalip Resort Casino for their quality and consistency. Thompson is always on the lookout for great wines and hidden gems to add to the Resort’s cellar. He has set a new standard for one of the best wine lists in the Native American hotel and gaming industry by always searching for ways to enhance the guest’s wine experience and by seeking out new wines to add to the Resort’s extensive list.
“My goal is to bring the fun and element of surprise that you find at Tulalip Resort Casino to our restaurant wine lists; I mean…why wouldn’t I?” said Thompson. “For the guests who aren’t aware of the depth and breadth of these approachable award-winning wine lists, from local wines showcasing the diverse growing regions of our state to world-renowned wines sought out by wine collectors and oenophiles alike. I like to make sure that I have a little something for everyone on our wine lists.”
The complete list of nearly 3,800 award winners will be listed in the Aug. 31 issue of Wine Spectator, which also looks at how restaurants serve their communities beyond food and wine. All of the restaurants can be found in WineSpectator.com‘s Restaurant Search, along with details about their wine selection, cuisine, prices and key staff.
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About Tulalip Resort Casino
Award-winning Tulalip Resort Casino is the most distinctive gaming, dining, meeting, entertainment and shopping destination in Washington state. The AAA Four-Diamond resort’s world-class amenities have ensured its place on the Condé Nast Traveler Gold and Traveler Top 100 Resorts lists. The property includes 192,000 square feet of gaming excitement; a luxury hotel featuring 370 guest rooms and suites; 30,000 square feet of premier meeting, convention and wedding space; the full-service T Spa; and eight dining venues. It also showcases the intimate Canoes Cabaret and a 3,000-seat amphitheater. Nearby, find the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, Cabela’s and 130 designer names at the Seattle Premium Outlets. The Resort Casino is conveniently located between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. just off Interstate-5 at exit 200. It is an enterprise of the Tulalip Tribes. For reservations, please call 866.716.7162 or visit us at Tulalip Resort Casino. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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