New York Metro - October 24, 2005
There's Chinese food, and then there's New York Chinese food. The latter has historically come high in sodium, smothered in sauce, and delivered on a careering bicycle. Ginger, opening this weekend in Harlem's first "green" building and subsidized in part by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, offers a heart-healthier alternative. The menu-devised by consultant Rosa Lo San Ross, scrutinized by Columbia nutritionists, and executed by chef James Marshall-is light on the frying and heavy on the baking, steaming, and grilling. Ginger is the first Harlem foray by restaurateur Michelle Jean, previously known for stylish downtown boîtes like Circa and Butter, and will eventually offer three meals a day plus takeout-good to know when the craving strikes for mu-shu tofu and baked egg rolls.

DailyCandy.com - October 28, 2005
Aretha, start singing another tune. There's a new rose in Spanish Harlem. It's a little ditty called Ginger, and it goes something like this: Take a steady beat from a restaurateur (Circa, Butter) and a chef from the local scene (Vong, Tribeca Grill) and hear the melody in a progressive Chinese menu with a health-conscious baseline.

Start with the Cantonese wonton and noodle soup (save the best - the pork-filled wonton - for last). Steamed dumplings (shrimp, pork, vegetable) are the chorus; mango coulis dipping sauce is the bridge. Place emphasis on garden-fresh ingredients (scallions, chilies, coconut, and mango), baking, steaming, and grilling.

The second verse: hearty barbecue ribs coated in sauce and a dusting of sesame seeds; sizzling sirloin armed with plum sauce and bok choy. Yangshao grilled salmon makes a nice chord with a relish of sweet onions and ginger. The uber-mod boite hits a bright, sleek high note. Set in Harlem's first green building, it gets a cozy touch from wood rafters and a well-placed bronze Buddha waiting for you to dig in. Position your chopsticks. And rock steady, baby.

Eater Curbed.com - October 18, 2005
The opening of Ginger is going to be a big deal for the Harlem neighborhood around 116th Street and Fifth Avenue. The food-healthy Chinese-should be good. But check the scene that Butter's Michelle Jean may bring uptown. We're hearing Sunday is opening night, pushed back (natch) from the previously expected September opening. Crains (yes, Crains) has more, as does Internet intelligence that seems to suggest a next-door take-out branch, Ginger Express.

Crain's - October 4, 2005
Ginger will fill a niche in an area known for less healthy options, according to its owners. Nothing on the menu will be fried and every item has been analyzed by nutritionists at Columbia University. Executive Chef James Marshall, whose resume includes China Grill and Tribeca Grill, will serve items like steamed striped bass with black mushroom sauce and ginger shrimp soup.

The owners said they chose to open in Harlem to get ahead of a trend toward healthier food choices. "If anyone was deserving of good food in a heart-health-conscious way, it is Harlem," said Ms. Jones. Over the past three-to-six months, a juice bar, a vegan eatery and a health food store have cropped up in the area.

Ginger is located at 116th St. and 5th Ave. in a building that's billed as the largest "green" affordable multi-family building in the nation. The building includes 129 condos and several retail tenants, and was developed by Harlem-based Full Spectrum of NY with more than 70% of recycled or renewable materials.