Giampolo Falchetti was born and raised in Umbria, a landlocked region of Italy just north of Rome and south of Florence. Known as the country’s “green heart,” it borders neither water nor foreign land. The Italian chef — though his wife and now business partner Kathryn Philbrook said he avoids that title — will bring memories from his native land to Tacoma’s Proctor District in the form of Crudo & Cotto.

The intimate restaurant, located in the former Old House Cafe space, will formally opened its doors Friday, Dec. 27. (It has been soft-open since Dec. 5). Visitors to Olympia’s Basilico Ristorante might recognize the couple’s name, but the cuisine at 2717 N. Proctor St. will venture beyond the comfort of red sauce and bread baskets — though there is plenty of bread in the form of crostini and homemade focaccia.