At Ollie’s 99 on Railroad Ave, owner Bill Xia has a new partner in chef Ming. The change is reflected in the menu has moved away from the Asian-fusion focus to classic Italian-style pizza and cuisine.
Mr. Xia said that because he also owns STEAM on Greenwich Avenue, he is leaving the traditional Chinese food to STEAM and focusing on pizza and Italian cuisine at Ollie’s.
You can get still get dim sum at Ollie’s but overall the Ollie’s menu is now focused on pizza and Italian cuisine.
“This lets Ming showcase his talents,” Xia said, describing Ming as a “30-year pizza man.”
Chef Ming moved to Italy at the age of 14 and stayed for three decades. During that time he lived in Venice for 20 years, but it was in Rome that he got his skills making Neapolitan pizza, which he describes as his lifetime passion. Along the way he started a family and has two boys, now 18 and 20.
Ming has won awards at the All-American Pizza Championships in Las Vegas and is highly respected in both the Venice region of Italy and in New York City.
“Chef Ming is a lifetime Italian chef and now the menu emphasizes his skills and authentic Italian food,” Xia said.
Chef Ming with his Insalata Di Rugola (Baby arugula with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and goat cheese), Margherita Pizza (Tomato, mozzarella with basil), and Prosciutto Sandwich (Prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomato, mozzarella). May 3, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Outside Ollie’s the chalkboard announces the arrival of the restaurant’s new chef. May 3, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Ming, who speaks Spanish, English, Cantonese, and fluent Italian, said he particularly enjoys chatting with customers who also speak Italian.
In fact, Chef Ming is especially eager to have Italians give him their feedback, especially on his Margherita Pizza.
Ming, who left Italy 10 years ago in order to educate his sons in the US, he has been the chef at the acclaimed Hoek Pizza in Brooklyn, where business grew significantly. Prior to that he was the chef at San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina in Manhattan’s upper east side and at Sottocasa in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill.
On Friday, we sampled the Insalata Di Rugola (Baby arugula with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, and goat cheese), Margherita Pizza (Tomato, mozzarella with basil), and Prosciutto Sandwich (Prosciutto, arugula, cherry tomato, mozzarella), all of which were terrific.
Chef Ming’s Tiramisu is outstanding. May 3, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
For dessert the Tiramisu was light and delicious. Mr. Xia said the Nutella Pizza is very popular with children on their birthdays!
Since arriving at Ollie’s two weeks ago, Ming has turned up the heat.
Literally, he now operates the pizza oven at 800° and cooks his pizzas in under two minutes for a chewy thin crust.
“He’s never failed in 30 years,” Xia said of Chef Ming. “He has the golden touch.”
Notably, the pizza dough is made from “00” flour from Italy.
Mr. Xia and Chef Ming are eager for feedback and they are offering anyone dining between 1:00 and 4:30pm who mentions GFP 25% or “MING 25” 25% off their food – for dine in and take out – for two weeks, from May 8 to May 22 only.
Ollie’s 99 is located at 99 Railroad Ave in Greenwich, CT 06830
Tel. 203-202-7444
Order online here
Partners Bill Xia and Chef Ming outside Ollie’s 99. May 3, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager
Chef Ming’s Margherita Pizza is made from ingredients from Italy and cooked in just 2 minutes at 800° in the pizza oven. May 3, 2024 Photo: Leslie Yager