Maria Hines's highly anticipated new Eastern Mediterranean restaurant, Golden Beetle, is set to open in Ballard next Friday, February 18. The newest spot from the James Beard Award-winning Tilth chef draws upon the cultures of Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt and Morocco, utilizing organic and seasonal ingredients from local purveyors. The name Golden Beetle is rooted in a celebrated 27-ingredient spice mixture from Morocco, ras-al-hanout, containing dried golden beetle, a Spanish fly considered to be an aphrodisiac. Along with Hines's Tilth, Golden Beetle received its organic certification from Oregon Tilth, making it the third restaurant in the nation to do so. more ›

In mid-November, Tilth chef de cuisine Larkin Young left Maria Hines’ kitchen to pursue his own restaurant. While he doesn’t yet have a space, Young does have investors, a business plan, the full support of his former boss, and a notebook full of ideas for dishes at his new spot. He also has a name and a hope of opening his doors “some time in early spring.” more ›

We're long overdue in telling you that, earlier this week, Maria Hines of Tilth Restaurant won the James Beard award for Best Chef Northwest. You'll recall that Maria was part of an amazing, collaborative dinner featuring all of the nominees. Her Skagit River Ranch pork cheek with trotter cake, charcroute, and parmesan broth was fabulous, and illustrative of her local, organic approach to cooking. more ›

As we mentioned on Friday, we've got a dinner invitation of sorts for you tonight. more ›

The stars were out last night in Seattle. The Rising Stars, that is. more ›

While we're all still reveling in the Academy Awards, the restaurant industry is honoring its finest as well. A slew of local chefs are semifinalists for James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards [pdf], with nominees to be announced on March 23. more ›

Just announced, the 2008 James Beard award nominations and Seattle does just fine, thank you. Tom Douglas, left, is one of five nominees for outstanding restaurateur in America; Canlis a nominee for best restaurant service, and four Seattle chefs in the running for "Best Northwest Chef:" Maria Hines, center (Tilth), Holly Smith (Cafe Juanita), Ethan Stowell, right (Union) and Jason Wilson (Crush). Winners to be announced early June. more ›