When we talked with Tilth chef-owner Maria Hines in August, shortly after her Iron Chef win, she said that she didn’t want to open a second restaurant but added, “Never say never, though. Someone might give me a pile of money to open another restaurant!” Now comes news from Nancy Leson at the Seattle Times that Hines has investors lined up and will open Tilth’s sister restaurant, Golden Beetle.

Hines plans to stay in North Seattle for her “gastropub with an Eastern Mediterranean focus and a North African accent,” Leson writes.

With investors in line, Hines has her eye on the North End, and a turn-key space that she can turn around fast. Her wish list includes proximity to Tilth, and seating for fewer than 60 patrons.

“I don’t want to drive south of the Ballard Bridge or east of I-5,” says the Crown Hill resident. Nor does she care to build-out a new restaurant, a la Scott Staples, whose third venture is presently under construction in Fremont. Fremont’s in her sight-line, along with Ballard, Wallingford, Phinney Ridge and Greenwood. “I’d love to have another restaurant tucked away in one of those sweet little neighborhoods up here,” Hines says.

Read the rest of Leson’s article on the Seattle Times site.