Coal Vines Opens in Plano

Today, Coal Vines, a coal-fired pizza bistro from restaurateurs Joe Palladino and Phil Romano, opens at The Shops of Legacy in Plano. The original Uptown restaurant and wine bar opened in 2006. Executive Chef of the original Coal Vines as well as Nick and Sam’s Steakhouse and Nick and Sam’s Grill Samir Dhuradhar developed and oversaw the menu.


The menu offers a Smoked Salmon Tartar, a gorgeous and delicious tower of ruby salmon cubes layered with goat cheese, fresh avocado and splashed with a pomegranate vinaigrette. Other starters and appetizers include prosciutto-stuffed Mozzarella Sticks (which were good but I couldn’t taste the prosciutto), delicious Seafood Risotto Cakes, fresh Bruschetta and cheesy Garlic Bread.

Smoked Salmon Tartar

Bruchetta, Garlic Bread, Seafood Risotto Cakes, Mozzarella Sticks (clockwise)

Coal Vines limits its menu to six traditional pies. They’re simple creations: four are vegetarian-friendly and the meaty remainder — a Bolognese version with a thick blanket of meat sauce and a very tasty sausage with roasted red peppers. The crust on the pizzas are thin and crispy. The prices are very reasonable, and a perfect place to go for a first date or a girls’ night out.

Sausage & Roasted Pepper Pizza