Curry comes to downtown Birmingham, Touch of India opens

As Eftikhar Ahmed has gotten to know Birmingham – and Oakland County – he has learned that European transplants miss the Indian food so common to where they came from. After enough times of hearing about their longing, "especially the English," he says, he decided to do something about it. He and four partners are opening Touch of India at 297 East Maple Road in downtown Birmingham. The restaurant, which is taking the place of Le Feast, has been in a soft opening phase since April 18. "When I would walk through the streets and talk to people, I would say this would be a good business here." The owners are waiting for permanent signage and got an OK from the city last week t  put a temporary one in the window. Even as the owners work toward an official opening day, which will come in the next two weeks to 10 days, customers are finding them. "People are finding us," he says. "So far, so good." Within weeks the restaurant, which is employing four full-time chefs, manager and owner operators, will hire more wait staff, he says. Source: Eftikhar Amhed, owner/operator, Touch of India Writer: Kim North Shine