Bleu Ginger Restaurant & Lounge has brought big city dining, a la San Francisco, to Milpitas. Nestled in the corner of a shopping center off Calaveras Blvd. on South Abel Street, Bleu Ginger is an exciting new entry in the Pan Asian cuisine market. Owners Jimmy and Elizabeth Thai wanted to bring something different to the area. “My husband and I wanted a change,” says Elizabeth. “We always had to travel to the city if we wanted to go to a restaurant like this.”

Marlynn Harwood of Idesign in Campbell helped the Thai’s bring their dream restaurant to life. “We sat down with her and worked with her to design the interior,” says Elizabeth. “Everything was custom ordered.” With light fixtures that resemble works of art and an entrance that rivals the trendiest of restaurants, walking into Bleu Ginger feels like you are entering an art gallery.

Head Chef Terrence Khuu likes to keep a very small and limited menu, allowing the quality of the food to stand out. “I try to keep everything to its original flavor but with a little twist,” says Khuu. The dinner menu boasts 10 full size entrees, but there are small plates and rolls such as the Nori Roll, which is pan-fried tofu wrapped in nori and tofu skin and served with sesame soy, to promote sharing.

“It draws a younger crowd,” says Khuu. “We encourage diners to share the large plates as well, that way they can get a taste of all the food.”

According to Khuu, since the grand opening in February the most popular dish on the menu has been the Five Spice Chicken – baked chicken that has been marinated in Asians spices and is served alongside garlic rice.

If you don’t have time to stay for dinner in the 300-person dining room, there is a sensual and intimate lounge area that beckons you to sit and relax. With silk couches and low lighting, this area is perfect for cocktails. Bleu Ginger has a secret weapon behind the bar in form of veteran bartender Greg Catera, formerly of Studio 8. He mixes up old favorites such as the lemon drop and apple martini and serves them alongside new creations like the X-Rated Cosmo and the signature Bleu Ginger Martini.

The Thais work hard to make every customer feel comfortable and treat them like family. “We wanted to create something that we would want to go to ourselves; we really put ourselves into this restaurant,” says Elizabeth.