My Neighborhood

—WELLESLEY, MA— Choice Morsels

CHEF, ENTREPRENEUR, and TV personality Ming Tsai likes to call Wellesley “the Greenwich of Boston,” thanks to its well-manicured streets, historic town hall, and a friendly population that really appreciates local restaurants. “Basically, everyone in Wellesley is nice, which is why so many people like to live in Wellesley,” says the chef, who opened his restaurant Blue Ginger there in 1998, pioneering East-meets-West dishes like Garlic Black Pepper Lobster. “Awesome people, and they all enjoy great food,” he notes.

Tsai closed Blue Ginger in 2017 to focus on other projects, including Ming’s Bings, a healthy vegan take on the classic Hot Pocket, sold at Fenway Park and nationally through his website. However, his decadeslong connection to the town keeps him coming back. “I am missing Blue Ginger,” the chef admits. “I miss the people who worked with me and people who came into the restaurant.” Luckily, you can still spot him around town at some of these favorite spots.

—Jeanne O’Brien Coffey

Wasik’s Cheese Shop

GOURMET GOODIES

The Cheese Shop (61 Central St., 781.237.0916), known to locals as Wasik’s, “is just the consummate fromager. Their wines are just as good as their cheeses. When you want to splurge on caviar, foie gras, and smoked salmon, they also have it.”

LIGHT BITES

“My wife and I enjoy Cocobeet (57 Central St., 781.772.1213). We pop in there when we need a quick snack. One of my [former employees] from Blue Ginger runs the shop.

“If you want a great sandwich, The Linden Store (162 Linden St.,

Linden Square

Ming Tsai

781.235.9837 ) has the best subs and wraps,” especially the smoked turkey wrap with tons of veggies and hot peppers, Tsai says.

BE SEATED

“Michael Schlow’s Alta

Strada Italian Restaurant

& Market (92 Central St., 781.237.6100) would be our date-night place. The food is always spot on— pizzas, great wine, and a great outdoor space. Café Mangal (555 Washington St., 781.235.5322) is just down the street. Love, love the food there. Chef Mehmet is fantastic and [his restaurant operates] just like Blue Ginger did—very friendly and family-run. And of course, Juniper (13

Cocobeet’s Green Energy Bowl

Central St., 781.446.6950). [Owner] Dave Becker is the friendliest, most generous person. I love all his restaurants. I think Wellesley is quite lucky to have so many great restaurants.”

WALK IT OFF

“We like to hike and walk around Elm Bank (900 Washington St., 508.653.9641) and Brook Path (entrance at Grove St.). We usually park near the track or at Whole Foods. We love hiking all through Wellesley College. It’s one of the most beautiful campuses around, with the

Lulu Chow Wang Campus

Center as an architectural standout.” [Note: At press time, due to COVID concerns, only the grounds of Wellesley College were open to visitors.] “We take Buddy, our Labradoodle, all those places. We don’t take him to the Town Hall Duck Pond because…well…he’d eat them. Actually, I would eat them, too.”

Juniper

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