BY AVERY GOODSTINE for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 6/26/2026
With beautiful views overlooking Tacoma and Fife, live music, and a classy brunch menu, Emerald Queen Casino’s Slahal Steakhouse outdoor rooftop bar is officially open for the summer season.
Located on the roof of the hotel and casino on the eleventh floor, Slahal Steakhouse offers a more upscale and intimate dining experience for those looking to take a break from the rush of gambling.
The rooftop deck is now open from 8 p.m. to midnight and is scheduled to have live music performances throughout the summer. Saltwater Sky and Kimo Muraki are among the scheduled artists.
Saltwater Sky regularly plays at EQC and is an up-and-coming local country band pulling inspiration from blues and rock music. Kimo Muraki is a multifaceted musician based in the Seattle/Tacoma area and is a founding member of Marmalade, the longest-running funk/soul residency in the history of the Seattle music scene. While he has been or currently is a contributing member of many other bands and artists, he has also independently released four EPs and three full-length albums. Muraki has also played at numerous festivals in the region, including Sasquatch Music Festival, West Seattle Summer Fest, and Noise Pop Festival.
In addition to the normal Slahal dinner menu, the Skyline Brunch will also be served during the summer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays. The buffet is $75 per person, or $90 per person with bottomless mimosas. I’m always searching for a bottomless mimosa brunch, so I was happy to see that offered.
For those wanting something a bit more savory, a Bloody Mary bar is an optional add-on with classic additions like celery, olives, and tomatoes. Or try a piece of bacon, an artichoke heart, shrimp, or a lobster claw for an extra-indulgent pairing.
Served buffet style, the brunch menu features a fresh fruit platter of seasonal melons and berries; Alaskan king salmon gravlax with Boursin cheese, red onions, capers, mixed greens, and assorted breads and crackers; a made-to-order omelet station; slow-roasted prime rib; bacon; breakfast sausage; potatoes O’Brien; Bananas Foster French toast; eggs Benedict; and an assortment of petits fours, croissants, muffins, and mini desserts.
My personal favorite was the French toast, with the prime rib coming in at a close second. The Bananas Foster French toast was crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and soaked in a warm, syrupy caramel sauce. The fresh bananas on top offered a bright freshness, cutting through the sweetness.
The prime rib was cooked to a perfect medium to medium rare with a warm red center. The outside was coated in a rich, salty crust. Accompanied by a savory au jus and horseradish sauce, every bite melts in the mouth. Thinking about it again now, I wish I had eaten more.
Both the French toast and prime rib are meals I would happily order on their own if they were offered on a standard menu.
The bacon and fresh fruit were also standout pairings. The bacon was just crispy enough, with a deep, fatty flavor without being too greasy. The fresh fruit consisted of dragon fruit, golden kiwi, watermelon, honeydew melon, cantaloupe, pineapple, and more. As a fruit fiend, I appreciated the platter with high-quality, in-season offerings. My husband also thoroughly enjoyed it, as he raved about the fruit the whole way home.
Since I typically prefer a sweet breakfast, I also enjoyed the mini desserts and array of bakery items, including muffins, croissants, and danishes.
There was also a beautiful cornucopia display made with classically decorated loaves of bread, one with a rose and another with a bunch of grapes and a braided edge. There was also a bread alligator, which added a touch of whimsy to an otherwise elegant meal.
Overall, everything tasted fresh and high quality. The selection of foods was diverse, with a little something for everyone. The buffet style was a great way to try a taste of everything.
Reservations are not needed, though I would recommend one, especially if you have a larger party. Right at 10 a.m., there was a line out the door as people waited to be seated. There is ample seating while still curating an intimate experience with those you are dining with. White tablecloths, linen napkins, and table lamps add to the elevated atmosphere.
The overall ambiance is family-friendly while still being elevated. There were many families with young children sitting indoors, while the outside deck was reserved for those at least twenty-one years old.
Despite the large crowd for Father’s Day, the brunch crew was able to keep up with the demand and replenished all the hot foods quickly. The servers were kind and attentive, never letting our plates stack up or our water glasses and coffee mugs go empty.
Whether you dine inside or outside on the deck, you are surrounded by lovely skyline views of the city, Commencement Bay, Mount Tahoma, and the Olympic Mountains. With crisp fresh air and warm sun rays, dining on the deck for brunch should be a no-brainer this summer.
Whether you’re looking for a nice meal to bring the whole family, searching for beautiful city views, or wanting a peaceful way to end the weekend, I would highly suggest adding EQC’s Slahal Steakhouse Skyline Brunch to your to-do list this summer.
This content paid for by the Emerald Queen Casino
