SIXTH AND STATE IS ONE HOT CORNER LATELY >>>

After years of watching local businesses close their doors due to a struggling economy, it's exciting to see others take on newer and bigger expansions due to increased community support. 

Let's all offer cheers to Cork! A Wine Bar for being one of those expansions.  The well-known vino destination will soon be moving from its spot at Sixth and South Junett Street.

Except, from now on let's drop the "A Wine Bar" part and just call it Cork. Owner Nick Coughran tells me they've removed the latter part of the name.

Cork's new location, to be opened sometime in May 2011 according to Coughran, will be on the corner of Sixth Avenue and State Street in Tacoma, in the building that Rector's Antiques & Wardrobe once operated from, and also the future home of Bluebeard Coffee Roasters.  Other notable T-Town businesses to have called the corner home at one time or another include Salon Baroque, House of Tattoo and Cafe WA.

In its new location Cork will keep the previous menu of flatbread, cheese plates and antipasto plates, while adding paninis, seasonal salads, Italian sodas and teas.  Expanding the hours to host a daily lunch crowd, Cork's new menu incorporates the "Bistro-type feeling we're going for in the new space," says Coughran, adding, "We don't want to expand the menu too much.  We still want to keep it simple by just adding a few key things."

Another exciting addition to the menu will be a variety of dessert fondues. With chocolate as the base, guests will have the opportunity to add key ingredients such as honey, almonds, chipotle and oranges.

"We're also going to add some taps to the bar, but instead of holding beer they'll hold wine," Coughran tells me. 

What? How?  Like boxed wine?

Nick, say it ain't so!

"There are wonderful wines using California and Washington grapes that sell in the form of a keg, which comes at a savings to me that I'll be able to pass on to the customer," Coughran quickly assures. " Instead of using CO2 like they do with beer, they use nitrogen to keep it smooth."

The info sends comfort to my heart. According to Coughran, Cork will start with six taps, adding more in the future once the demand hits.

Well hot damn - wine in a keg.  Next thing you know they'll be allowing people to bring kids into Cork. 

What?  They already do?  Dang.