WASHINGTON — Choolaah Indian BBQ is bringing its version of authentic Indian cuisine tweaked for American tastes to the D.C. market.
The Cleveland-based restaurant will open an outpost in the Mosaic District of Fairfax later this month, and a second location in Sterling sometime next spring.
Choolaah Indian BBQ says it serves traditional Indian dishes that appeal to the contemporary palate, with a modern twist to a 5,000-year-old Indian cooking tradition — the tandoori.
Its website says, “We’ve replaced spicy hotness with extremely flavorful tastes and textures.”
“Fairfax and the greater D.C. area represent an important part of Choolaah’s growth strategy, and we’re excited about the brand’s new presence in the mid-Atlantic region,” said co-CEO Raji Sankar in a statement. Choolaah’s Cleveland restaurant opened in 2014.
The restaurants will have four tandoor clay ovens, visible to diners behind the kitchen’s glass wall “so the cooking becomes theater,” the statement said — cooking food at up to 700 degrees.
The majority of the dishes are available gluten free, and the restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan options as well. The menu also includes naan pizza.
The Cleveland restaurant serves bowls, plates, sandwiches and salads. See the menu here.
The Fairfax and Sterling locations will also have catering.
The Mosaic District Choolaah opens Dec. 28. The Sterling location, opening in the first quarter of 2017, will be at 21426 Epicerie Plaza.
