Simply Ming

My sister, Laurie, and I have a deal. Every year for our birthdays, we take each other out to a "fancy" restaurant that we want to try but neither of us would normally splurge for on a regular day. This way neither of us has to struggle to find each other a gift, and we both get enjoyment out of it. This year was no exception. Although we usually like to try new place, we had visited this restaurant for one of my past birthdays. It has always stuck in my mind as one of the best meals I have ever enjoyed so it made sense to go back. The restaurant is Blue Ginger in Wellesley.

If you are a food fan you probably have spent some time watching the Food Network. And if you watch the Food Network, you probably are very familiar with Ming Tsai.

Picture from ming.com

Blue Ginger is Ming's first culinary endeavor. And now, he is touted as a celebrity chef with several cooking shows: East Meets West and Ming's Quest on the Food Network and Simply Ming on PBS. He also has his name on a line of cooking products and serving ware.

While the restaurant is considered one of the best, it is not pretentious or stuffy. The restaurant is very simple and inviting. There is a large open kitchen where you can watch the chefs do their magic. The service is impeccable. Over our two visits, we did not see Ming himself. Which is expected from most celebrity chefs since they are probably out and about filming TV shows. (However Bobby Flay did make an appearance at his restaurant Mesa Grill in NY when we visited there last fall!)

The food was delicious and perfect as I remembered. I ordered the Sake-miso Marinated Alaskan Butterfish. It is incredibly light, delicious and perfectly cooked. It is served with a plate drizzling of vibrant green wasabi oil to add just a bit of heat. On the side there was seaweed salad, and soba noodle sushi- basically maki rolls filled with soba noodles. Every bite was delicious. Laurie enjoyed the Asian Lacquered Poussin with Tamarind-Hoisin Sauce which was served with mandarin chicken orzo "fried rice" and three pea salad.

For dessert, we shared the Sesame Pecan Caramel Nut Tart which was served with roasted bananas and house-made hot fudge and coffee caramel. In honor of my birthday, the plate came out with a single candle, and Happy Birthday written in chocolate on a cookie. It was a nice touch. Thanks, Laurie!

Blue Ginger still remains one of my favorite restaurants that I have been to. I hope to go back again for another special occasion.