Touch to close, reopen as Char

The Jalili family of restaurateurs are planning to convert their south-side restaurant Touch Restaurant & Oyster House into a new venture called Char Steakhouse & Oyster Bar.

Co-owner Mike Jalili made the announcement in a personal Facebook post Nov. 10. He said Touch’s last day will be New Year’s Eve, and after a two-week “minor remodel,” Char would open in its place in January at 1620 E. Republic Road in the French Quarter shopping center. Jalili could not be reached immediately for comment by deadline this morning.

The Jalilis registered the Char Steakhouse brand as a fictitious name with the Missouri secretary of state Nov. 10.

The Jalili family — comprising brothers Billy and Mike Jalili, as well as Billy’s wife Sara Jalili — in May 2005 agreed to buy what was then called Chardonnay from the late Bill Jester. They renamed it Touch.

The Jalilis also own Flame Steakhouse downtown, three Black Sheep Burgers and Shakes restaurants, and nightclubs Midnight Rodeo and Zan. Also in the works is the Jalilis’ Chops restaurant at the Galloway Creek development they co-own at 3938 S. Lone Pine Ave.