I met Ming!

[syzygy]

Friends were visiting for the long weekend and, along with some other friends, we all went to Blue Ginger Saturday evening. And it turned out that Ming Tsai was there, too. He came over to our table and chatted with us for 5 or so minutes and signed a few menus and recommended a few desserts (the table had just been cleared from dinner). Very pleasant. One of the guys with us is a BIG fan and actually made Ming blush -- it was very cute...

The food was fantastic and worth every $$$$$ even though there was only 1 (yes, one!:eek: ) dish on the menu out of 11 appetizers and 10 entrees that I could eat. And when you see the notice on the menu to please let your server know if you have any food allergies, ABSOLUTELY tell him/her. I am allergic to shellfish and the menu was heavy with it in some form or other, either as the main part of the dish itself or as a part of the presentation (and they do not do substitutions). There was a chicken dish that really intrigued me (and 2 others at our table ordered it and raved) but the waitress said I couldn't have it because it was very lightly "flash deep fried" and that "Ming uses the same oil for all dishes" -- so the chicken is fried in the same fryer and oil as the shellfish. You'd think that they could afford a second fryer, especially with the prices they charge...:p

Anyway, my Grilled Vegetable and Lemongrass-Polenta Napolean with Smokey Tomato Sauce with Thai Basil and Avocado Purees was absolutely out of this world and I'd go back again, as long as there is at least one dish that I can have. :D ;) :D

[muriel3002]

Originally posted by syzygy
The food was fantastic and worth every $$$$$ even though there was only 1 (yes, one!:eek: ) dish on the menu out of 11 appetizers and 10 entrees that I could eat. And when you see the notice on the menu to please let your server know if you have any food allergies, ABSOLUTELY tell him/her. I am allergic to shellfish and the menu was heavy with it in some form or other, either as the main part of the dish itself or as a part of the presentation (and they do not do substitutions). There was a chicken dish that really intrigued me (and 2 others at our table ordered it and raved) but the waitress said I couldn't have it because it was very lightly "flash deep fried" and that "Ming uses the same oil for all dishes" -- so the chicken is fried in the same fryer and oil as the shellfish. You'd think that they could afford a second fryer, especially with the prices they charge...:p



Actually, we've been told by friends that work in restaurants that you must be very very very specific if you see lots of shellfish on the menu, and if you are allergic (DH is), it is likely that your food will be cooked in the same pan or on the same grill as someone else's shellfish. So, you must ensure that the server knows that you are VERY ALLERGIC. We don't usually eat out at seafood restaurants at all because of this - even though they say they are being careful, DH usually has some sort of reaction. He's very cautious, and will have a small bite of his food, wait a minute or two, and if his tongue starts to swell up, then he sends the food back, or just doesn't eat it.

[Canice]

Originally posted by syzygy
....And it turned out that Ming Tsai was there, too. He came over to our table and chatted with us for 5 or so minutes and signed a few menus and recommended a few desserts (the table had just been cleared from dinner). Very pleasant. One of the guys with us is a BIG fan and actually made Ming blush -- it was very cute...:D

That's so great! Blue Ginger is on my "must get to one day" list. How far in advance do you have to make a reservation?

[KathrynY]

Your meal sounds delicious, Leslie, and how very cool that you got to meet Ming! :D

[syzygy]

We called about 2 weeks before and there were only 2 slots -- at 6 PM (the one we took) or 10 PM. They don't rush you (and also don't make you wait for hours in between courses, either.) It was a most pleasant evening and we were there for about 3 hours all told.

[donnamp14]

Ming shops at the Natick Roche Bros. for his produce! How's that for an endorsement? I've seen him there a couple of times. And the food at Blue Ginger, oh, it's just wonderful! Glad you met him!

[TeriK]

How exciting! I think he's just great. Very charming and personable--not that I've ever met him, mind you. Sounds like your meal was wonderful.

[Angelina]

I would make him blush allright if I ever met him...:cool:

Maybe it's better if don't.

Angela