Shola marks Chef Laila Bazahm’s third restaurant in her four years of being an Austin chef/restaurateur. First came El Raval drawing on her experiences from living in Barcelona; then Siti celebrating Southeast Asia’s home cooking, and now Shola, an Indian Smoke House which she is partnering on with Chef Hari Nayak a native of Udupi India. Shola (living flame in Urdu/Hindi) is Indian street dhaba style fire cooking meets Texas barbecue energy. Homage will be paid to regional Indian open flame cooking traditions drawing on the wealth of options to showcase India’s amazing diversity and tell the stories of their culinary traditions. Out of the custom J&R Oyler rotisserie smoker will come meats, fowl, and poultry for items such as smoked butter chicken; goat and brisket biryani, and chili tamarind ribs. Skewered meats and various naan will come from the tandoor. The casual, loud, and very social atmosphere is built around hosting groups emulating Desi pubs and night market food stalls.