Pomodoro, which has served Tacoma’s Proctor District since 1997, will close at the end of July to make way for a new restaurant and wine bar helmed by local industry veterans.
Erin Behnke ran the Italian staple for over a decade, taking over for her late mother Markeen Tower who bought the business in 2001.
Trevor and Emma Hamilton soon will open a new concept at 3819 N. 26th St., a 1920s-era building that was home to several taverns in its century of existence.
For the past seven years, he has been the wine director and a partner of The Table on Sixth Avenue, where his lists received recognition from Wine Spectator. She works a day-job for Metro Parks Tacoma and will lead marketing and design at the couple’s first standalone venture.
They will be joined by Craig Tronset, most recently chef de cuisine at The Table, during which time chef-owner Derek Bray earned a coveted semifinalist nod in the 2023 James Beard Awards — Tacoma’s first nomination. Megan Henson will bring years of experience in the local industry to lead the cocktail program.
“I’m saddened that it’s not going to stay Pomodoro,” said Behnke, “but I’m excited for what Trevor is going to bring — that youth, that passion. This is a young person’s game … I just felt like it was the right time. When Trevor approached me, I talked to my husband and said, ‘You know, I’m ready.’”
French for crow, the name Corbeau represents the Hamiltons’ desire to foster a contemporary destination for the community they, too, call home.
“Crows have home — they stick together, they build a community,” said Trevor Hamilton. “They treat each other well.”
The menu will feature small plates and French classics — steak, moules frites, always onion soup — made with local ingredients wherever possible.
“The way we’re describing it is a Franco-Tacoman restaurant. We both grew up in Tacoma,” said Hamilton, referring also to Tronset, who worked at the late Bastille Cafe and Bar in Seattle for several years. From there he cooked at Rhein Haus (now Poquitos and Stadium Golf in Tacoma) with the same restaurant group, Yes! Parade. “We want to build a community here, but we’re both Francophiles — and it’s something Tacoma needs.”
Corbeau will have “an awesome beverage program that we’re really excited to bring to Proctor,” continued Hamilton. Not classically trained in wine, he learned on the ground, and through his years at The Table has nurtured close relationships with distributors and winemakers around the world.
He anticipates collaborating with a producer in Beaujolais, the Gamay-growing region just north of Lyon, on a private label next year and hopes to add a house Champagne. Look for forthcoming details on a “pretty darn cool wine club,” too.
Families, fret not: It will continue to be an everyday, all-ages affair.
CORBEAU TACOMA
▪ 3819 N. 26th St., Tacoma, corbeautacoma.com
▪ Target Opening : Fall 2024 | Anticipated Hours: Monday-Thursday 4-9 p.m., Friday-Sunday 12-9 p.m.
▪ Follow instagram.com/corbeau.tacoma for updates
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