Botiwalla, the Optimist Hall anchor restaurant by Asheville chef Meherwan Irani, is now open. Unlike most of the concepts in the food hall, Botiwalla is a full-service restaurant, taking up nearly 2,800 square feet. Botiwalla is currently operating from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. as a soft opening, but will begin regular hours of 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 17. The restaurant is currently doing to-go orders only.

Irani is executive chef and partner in Chai Pani Restaurant Group, the group behind renowned Asheville barbecue restaurant Buxton Hall, as well as Chai Pani in downtown Asheville. The group now also has concepts in Georgia, including two locations of Botiwalla, making Charlotte the third place to welcome the Indian street food concept. 

The Optimist Hall location of Botiwalla will serve cuisine inspired by Indian street food and tea houses, including grilled chicken, lamb, and paneer in naan; lamb burgers; chaat masala smashed potatoes; and cumin tikka desi salad, with boozy slushies and afternoon high tea inspired by India’s Irani cafés. Visitors can also purchase retail items including Irani’s line of Spicewalla spices. 

“My mission with Botiwalla is to bring the streets of India to life — the glowing charcoal sigris, the sizzling meats, the aromas of chaat masala — in the most delicious way possible,” Irani said when announcing the restaurant would come to Charlotte. “I want to blow away people’s preconceived notions about what Indian food is and show them what it can be.”

Delivery will be available starting next week. 

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