More than eight years after opening the acclaimed Coalfire Pizza on Grand Avenue, owner Dave Bonomi will finally light the coal ovens for the public at a second location tomorrow. And Coalfire Two, in a much different neighborhood that houses a different demographic, is in the same vein as the original—but much larger, sleeker, and with an expanded menu.
"We wanted to build a different place than Grand Avenue but keep it streamlined and stylish, but put as much money into the food and beverage as possible," Bonomi says of the sibling at 3707 N. Southport. "It's amazing to see people on the sidewalk," he adds about the increased foot traffic in the neighborhood.
Roughly twice as large as the first location, customers will enter the industrial space into a bar area with a 12-seat bar, two 8-seat communal tables, and two coal ovens visible in back. A separate dining room to the south holds 54 seats, featuring reclaimed wood and metal and tables stained with coal ash. A lit-up "pizza" sign is prominent against a red backdrop next to exposed brick. Bonomi has a sidewalk patio permit and is planning to open that in late August or September.
As advertised, Bonomi is planning new pizzas, appetizers and salads, in addition to more alcoholic beverages and cocktails that utilize the full bar—stay tuned for those details. Coalfire Two opens tomorrow at 4 p.m.; the opening hours will be 4-10 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays and Sundays, and 4-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Expanded hours are in the works for a later date.
