Plano's New Bellagreen Specializes in Down-to-Earth Dining With a Green Twist

At the Shops at Legacy’s newest eatery, Bellagreen, the worlds of fast-casual and environmentally conscious collide and manifest in fun, healthy fare. The new Plano location, which opens Friday, is the store’s eighth. The restaurant also has six locations in Houston and one in Dallas, at 8041 Walnut Hill.

Bellagreen employees are trained to reduce the restaurant's carbon footprint through alternative power, water conservation, chemical and pollution reduction, and sustainable food practices. The name “Bellagreen” means  “beautiful green."

Each Bellagreen store is built with sustainable furnishings and building materials, according to a press release. Stubborn Sodas and house-brewed teas pour from low-flowing taps.

Bellagreen’s menu boasts healthy, straightforward, affordable dishes. Among their most popular starters are the high-protein Hempanadas ($9.19), which are made with wheat and hemp flour and stuffed with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, cilantro, raisins and all-natural ground beef. Another solid starter is the fire-roasted tomato basil soup ($3.99-$5.99), which is topped with a fluffed mozzarella pastry.

All of Bellagreen’s burgers come served on a brioche bun with your choice of hand-cut potato fries, sweet potato fries or quinoa salad. Burger options include classic Angus beef, buffalo, turkey or a veggie patty. Guests also have an option of ordering burgers on a gluten-free bun.

Bellagreen’s pastas can also be ordered with gluten-free noodles, and their wood-fired pizzas ($12.99-$13.99), like the Green and the Fig & Pig, can be ordered on gluten-free crusts.

For dessert, guests can choose from a white chocolate bread pudding, a high-protein hemp brownie, domino cake, carrot cake, tres leches and pink velvet cake. The pink velvet cake is aesthetically pleasing with a bright, vibrant pink appearance. It's airy, sponge-y and contains a sweet buttercream icing filling.

In keeping with Bellagreen's environmentally friendly kick, four dishes per year are selected to benefit the restaurant's nonprofit partner, Texas Trees Foundation. "Contributions will fund the planting of tree seedlings across North Texas," according to the press release.

Bellagreen, 5717 Legacy Dr., Plano