A Decadent Date Night: Blackfish Grill

It's Date Night! Woo-hoo! Time to get out my tall black heels and my very best mascara and let's go before my hubs changes his mind. We are headed for Blackfish at the Tulalip Casino.

We're not gamblers. For the first ten years of our married life, we lived in Nevada and while that was a blast in our twenties, it also burned us out on the need to spend time at a casino. Just not our personal jam so it is rare you will find us at our fine local gambling establishments. But when we are thinking of somewhere special to go for date night, (or especially at Christmas to see the spectacular tree light display) we head north out of Everett up to Blackfish.

Blackfish is found toward the back from the main entrance to the Tulalip Casino (where they offer a very nice valet service which is great when you're in your tall date night heels and don't want to walk too far.) It's kind of a word of mouth, or in this case, a word of blog, sort of place. They don't advertise but those who have dined there tend to tell others. That's how we learned about it. And now I'm telling all of you. Because I'm chatty like that.

We learned two big things the first time we dined at Blackfish: One, they serve yummy oysters on the half shell, so fresh, slurpy and delicious; and, second, always sit in Jill's section. Okay, it turns out Jill actually gets days off and we've had other wonderful servers at Blackfish but part of what we love when we dine there is the great service by Jill and others. Oh, and for pre-dinner cocktails in the Piano Bar, you can't beat service from Lorraine (who, it turns out, happens to be good friends with Jill.)

While great service always adds to a great meal out, having delicious food is a requirement, and Blackfish delivers. Besides oysters, they have lots of seafood selections and a couple of steaks. This last time I had the seafood bowl which was packed with a variety of seafood in a delectable saffron sauce and my husband ordered the halibut which he declared the best he had ever had. I managed to get a bite and really couldn't disagree. It was moist and flavor-packed which cannot always be said for halibut.

Something unique about the menu at Blackfish is they offer a lot of signature accompaniments. You can add on French fries, mashed potatoes or roasted red potatoes - kind of standard. But you can also choose from a side order of golden beets, roasted Romanesco or grilled butternut squash - not so common side dishes.

Whatever you select, from the numerous starters to the delicious-sounding desserts, you are sure to find, as we have, that Blackfish is worth the buzz and the short drive from Everett.

Presently, through December, the bar area of the restaurant is being remodeled but that didn't affect our dinner or the atmosphere at all. Maybe it will even be done when I convince my guy to take me back to see the tree lights at Christmas. I'll roll the dice on that fun idea! C'mon lucky sevens!

We live lucky my friends! -- Jingle

Blackfish Grill
10200 Quil Ceda Blvd.
Marysville, WA 98271

Jingle Jackson grew up in Everett, attended WSU (go Cougs!) and worked a great career at Snohomish PUD. Now, she is working on the pursuit of new adventures and fun wherever she can find it.