IN THE NEWS: The Boston Globe reports that Ming Tsai, chef and owner of Blue Ginger, announced plans for a major renovation and expansion of the Wellesley restaurant. Blue Ginger has taken over the former retail space next door to the restaurant, a move that will nearly double the restaurant’s size. … The Globe’s Devra First gives three stars to Ten Tables (597 Centre St., Jamaica Plain. 617-524-8810. tentables.net) and notes the scheduled Feb. 19 opening of Persephone, the long-awaited Michael Leviton (Lumiere) restaurant, while Sheryl Julian reviews Ali Baba Tandoor (2088 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. 617-876-8664. alibabatandoor.com) and Katie Johnston Chase considers Shabu Shabu Toki (121 Brighton Ave., Allston. 617-254-8888). boston.com … The Phoenix’s Robert Nadeau awards four stars to Sushi-Teq (510 Atlantic Avenue, Intercontinental Hotel, Boston, 617.217.5150), while MC Slim JB reviews Pepper Pot (208 Dudley Street, in Roxbury,  617.445.4409). thephoenix.com … The Herald’s Mat Schaffer gives a B+ to Gitlo’s Dim Sum Bakery (164 Brighton Ave., Allston; 617-782-2253), while Patricia Sinaiko reviews Bloc 11 Cafe (11 Bow St., Union Square, Somerville; 617-623-0000). … Kerry Byrne reports, “Boston will soon have its first three-star Michelin chef. French culinary superstar Guy Martin was in Boston  to announce the opening of restaurant Sensing at the new Regent Hotel on Battery Wharf in the North End late this spring.” bostonherald.com … Boston’s Hidden Restaurants visits Apgujung (1114 Beacon Street, Newton, MA, 617-527-7888). hiddenboston.com

Compiled by Pat Embry, WhereTheLocalsEat.com

Filed under: Boston Restaurants | Tags: Ali Baba Tandoor, Apgujung, Bloc 11 Cafe, Blue Ginger, Gitlo's Dim Sum Bakery, Guy Martin, Michael Leviton, Pepper Pot, Persephone, Sensing, Shabu Shabu Toki, Sushi-Teq, Ten Tables |