After more than nine months of preparation and renovation the Shila Korean BBQ restaurant has opened at 3812 West Newberry Road, the former Stonewood location in Plaza Royale. Owner Tao Zhao says, “It’s been a long time coming but we are very excited to be launching this new concept in the Gainesville market. All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ restaurants are extremely popular, especially with the college crowd, so Gainesville seems like the perfect market.”
Plaza Royale owner Mike Warren is equally excited, “Shila is a terrific fit to join the other successful restaurants in Plaza Royale. They are launching a product that’s really done well in other cities so I think they’ll get a great reception here.” Shila joins Gator’s Dockside, Bento’s, Moe’s, Relish, Coldstone Creamery, and Heavenly Ham in Plaza Royale.
The concept for Shila allows the patron to cook their food on a hibachi grill built into the middle of the table. The waiter brings uncooked meats, seafood, raw vegetables, and sauces and then is available to assist with pointers on cooking. Says Tao, “The customer gets to cook the food exactly how they like it. And they can have all they want. No one should go away hungry.