GROSSE POINTE WOODS, Mich. (WXYZ) — A new Indian restaurant in Grosse Pointe Woods is celebrating their opening, as they drummed up an unexpected amount of interest.
NoorJahan opened their doors just a few weeks ago and have been dishing out dishes nonstop. One of their youngest diners is excited about the cuisine.
I promise I didn’t eat EVERYTHING in front of me... #yummy pic.twitter.com/bpLE7pNe27
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) January 28, 2020
It’s pretty obvious 12-year-old Lola Branch has a refined palate. Her new favorite restaurant is NoorJahan on Mack Avenue. Branch has been eating Indian dishes since she was a baby and she isn’t of South Asian descent. She says it’s all thanks to her dad.
“He’s English and he likes Indian food, too,” Branch said.
Owner Syed Mutaher saw a need for Indian cuisine in this area.
“So far we are doing really, really good,” Mutaher said.
The next closest Indian restaurant, also owned by him, is about a 30-minute drive. It’s no surprise people have been excited for their opening.
“(A) lot of customers without any advertising,” Mutaher said.
Who here has tried #IndianFood?
Noorjahan in Grosse Pointe Woods opened a few weeks ago and they’ve been busy with orders!
We talk with one of their youngest (and most loyal) customers about what keeps her coming back!
Story at 5:45pm! pic.twitter.com/UmwaoYFYWL
— Syma Chowdhry (@SymaChowdhry) January 28, 2020
Before debuting, people were already knocking on the door asking, when the restaurant opens. Noorjahan did a soft open on Christmas Eve and were not ready for the 67 orders on the first day. The first few weekends had customers waiting up to four hours.
“Really good, really fun, excited, but on the other hand I was a little bit scared because I don’t want anyone to get upset,” Mutaher explained.
He started calling family members to help with orders. Mutaher hired a chef from California with 25 years of experience. And if you ask 12-year-old Lola Branch, the food is top notch.
“I like the tikka masala and I like the chicken korma and naan bread,” Branch said.
Can’t handle spicy food?
You control how hot you want it, but don’t forget it’s not just peppers in here. Other ingredients include garlic, ginger, onion, turmeric and curry powder.
So if you’ve never had Indian food before, Lola says now is the time to try it.
“They should definitely, definitely come and they should have everything,” she added.
