Discussion of Robin Garr's Coals Artisan Pizza review

I was sad to see that Southern Tier XX IPA had been taken off the list.

Mother of GOD !!! Tell me it ain't so ! That's some good beer. Might have to pull a few strings and see what can be done about getting it back on.

That is what the waitress told me; said it wasn't selling enough. Sierra Nevada Torpedo filled in as a nice replacement.

"Torpedo" works...Not as well as Southern Tier though. Best of my knowledge Southern Tier hasn't been around here too long, maybe in another couple of months it will have more wide appeal.

GOD this is great...a thread about pizza AND beer

GOD this is great...a thread about pizza AND beer

It is the simple things.......

Went on Tuesday night for my birthday dinner as our plans were torpedoed last minute by DiFabio's being closed on Tuesdays. I was worried about taking this part of my family there as trying to get them to eat some place I can eat as a vegetarian is a chore at times. My family all loved it. I dont know how often they'll make the trek from Cane Run RD but I'm glad they enjoyed it. The place was hoping that night, if this keeps up they may either have to get a larger spot or open a second location at this rate.

The place was hoping that night, if this keeps up they may either have to get a larger spot or open a second location at this rate.

I thought there were talks of either an upstairs or basement that was being worked on for more seating. This was supposed to be where the draft beer setup was going to be installed? or I might be dreaming.

The place was hoping that night, if this keeps up they may either have to get a larger spot or open a second location at this rate.

I thought there were talks of either an upstairs or basement that was being worked on for more seating. This was supposed to be where the draft beer setup was going to be installed? or I might be dreaming.

The plans were (and still are as far as I know) was to use the upstairs area for private parties and other events not for regular dining. I think they're trying to avoid expanding too fast and getting overwhelmed by phasing in additional food items and space. They were actually not expecting to become as popular as they are as fast as they were!

The plans were (and still are as far as I know) was to use the upstairs area for private parties and other events not for regular dining. I think they're trying to avoid expanding too fast and getting overwhelmed by phasing in additional food items and space. They were actually not expecting to become as popular as they are as fast as they were!

The original-original plan was to use the area upstairs to house a walk-in cooler for (keg) beer storage and as previously mentioned an area for private parties. I'm pretty sure the walk-in cooler option is close to being off the table due the amount of HVAC work that would have to be done. The private party area is still a "go" but not in the immediate future.

Speaking of HVAC, my construction-expert friend noticed when we were there on Saturday that the current ductwork in the Coals dining room is pretty inadequate for the space. On a crowded weekend evening, with the oven going full blast, it got quite warm in there.

The set back was the air conditioner. It just cannot keep up so we have to bump up the system. That should happen either Friday or Monday so relief is on the way. I do see us moving forward rather quickly with the upstairs space in addition to the taps. We need the capacity since the patio is not a substitution for an air conditioned dining room. My goodness Louisville can get hot in the summer!

I do see us moving forward rather quickly with the upstairs space in addition to the taps. We need the capacity since the patio is not a substitution for an air conditioned dining room.

Does capacity mean additional seating or the original party room?

Additional seating as well as a party/conference room.

The set back was the air conditioner. It just cannot keep up so we have to bump up the system. That should happen either Friday or Monday so relief is on the way. I do see us moving forward rather quickly with the upstairs space in addition to the taps. We need the capacity since the patio is not a substitution for an air conditioned dining room. My goodness Louisville can get hot in the summer!

Should have known you'd be on top of it already. Kudos - you guys are handling the greater-than-expected demand very well! We look forward to the new additions!

Went by last night to give it a try. Given what's been discussed on Hotbytes I was expecting a religious experience.

We had a nice time and enjoyed the food. We arrived at 8:00 and were immediately seated - service was prompt, pleasant, and professional. My wife and I ordered some micro brew because beer goes with pizza. We had the Caesar salad which was done well - the one anchovy was breaded and deep fried (what a thing to do to such a small fish) - other than that it was a solid Caesar.

For the three of us we split two pies - we had the Clifton and the Bardstown Road. I preferred the Clifton because it was closer to my idea of pizza - the Bardstown Road was fresh and crunchy with nice toppings of onions, garlic, and mushrooms if I recall correctly - however, I also thought it was dry with little or no sauce. The Clifton was very tasty and the crust was nice.

We had the Tierra Masu for desset and it was a solid version. And the end we paid about $65 including an appropriate tip.

In the end we thought Coals was nice, well executed, and runs like a machine. I'm less sold on the favor profile - I think we need to try other combinations because I did not have a pizza epiphany.

If you were expecting pizzas from Coals to fit what you were expecting for a normal pizza I'm sure your expectations were not met. These are Neapolitan style pizzas which are very different from what most Americans consider pizzas. The flavors and textures are very different which you found. If you're looking for a traditional pie just go to Pappalino's or one of the other locals which make traditional American pies.

If you were expecting pizzas from Coals to fit what you were expecting for a normal pizza I'm sure your expectations were not met. These are Neapolitan style pizzas which are very different from what most Americans consider pizzas. The flavors and textures are very different which you found. If you're looking for a traditional pie just go to Pappalino's or one of the other locals which make traditional American pies.

Having been to Italy a number of times - I'm fine with that style of pizza. I just didn't eat anything that blew me away - I'll be back and check out other options. Don't take my report as negative.