PHOTOS: Ollie’s 99 in Greenwich Merges Neapolitan-Style Pizza and Chinese Cuisine

There is a new restaurant in downtown Greenwich offering a unique concept.

Ollie’s 99 – the 99 refers to its address on Railroad Ave – has an eclectic menu that fuses Neapolitan style pizza and Asian cuisine.

Pizza and Chinese food?  Yes!

The innovative menu proposition works. We jumped around the menu and enjoyed creations like the Pancetta Pizza, its crispy-chewy crust the perfect anchor for its toppings: Pancetta (Italian style  bacon), buffala, truffle white sauce, mushroom and a generous garnish of arugula.

The experience of selecting from an assortment of delectable, handmade dim sum that arrived still steaming in a basket, paired with dipping sauces, is another memorable highlight.

And, if you enjoy salad, we’re crazy about the Kale salad at Ollie’s. It comes loaded with avocado, Quinoa, nuts, Parmesan, and cherry tomatoes.

Ollie’s 99 owner Bill Xia, who also bought the nearby restaurant Steam on Greenwich Avenue in August and has since doubled its sales, is as an enthusiastic restaurateur as you’ll ever meet, personally welcoming every patron.

Recognizing the dearth of high quality, authentic Chinese food in town, and having secured his great location at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue and across from the Greenwich train station, he enlisted his friend Master Chef Ming – yes, the celebrity Chef Ming – to oversee the menu creation.

Mr. Xia, who is originally from China, said it was important for him to reintroduce locals to quality Chinese cuisine, perhaps change their perception after years of mediocre options.

“I found this location so Victor could showcase his talent,” Xia added, explaining that Chef Zhou had become known in China for his dim sum dumplings before traveling to Italy where he spent 10 years preparing brick oven pizzas, becoming an expert in the process.

While Chef Ming created the menu, Xia said, “The presentation and flavor is from Victor – Michelin style.”

Indeed, the chef special Sesame Chicken pizza is Zhou’s creation. It features chicken, buffala, sour & sweet sesame sauce, mushroom, bok choy and tofu.

Beyond his Sesame Chicken pizza, Chef Zhou has added many touches to the eclectic menu at Ollie’s.

“He used his Michelin experience to incorporate sandwiches and rolls,” Xia said. 

Mr. Xia is so convinced that his try-it-you’ll-like-it approach will result in repeat customers, he is offering 15% off his entire menu for the month of December.

Mr. Xia, who lives in New Canaan and whose daughters attend Greenwich Academy, said his foray into the restaurant business was a hobby turned into a sideline inspired by his daughters. His established career success stems the diamond tools company he runs.

“My kids grew up here and they love dim sum,” he said. “But 13-year-olds love pizza better than dim sum.”

Xia said his overall goal is for Ollie’s to become a destination for everyone, including teens and families.

His lunch special, priced at $14 is also available at dinner time.

“Young people can always order the lunch special,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to let more people to know the China culture. The more they try the food the more they appreciate the culture.”

“I wanted to do this for the community, for the kids. The money is secondary,” he said.

So far, Xia said the response to Ollie’s has been positive, and that oftentimes new customers eat at Ollie’s and return the next day to continue exploring the menu.

Mr. Xia, who is a devotee of Peter Chang and his namesake Chinese restaurant on Tresser Blvd in Stamford, said he shared Mr. Chang’s goal of bringing high quality authentic Chinese food to the US, and that it was Mr. Chang who suggested the Railroad Ave opportunity.

“It’s not just about Sesame Chicken. I want to open people’s eyes to authentic Chinese food,” he said.

Toward that end Mr. Xia has kept his prices affordable.

Plus there is 15% off the entire Ollie’s 99 menu through the month of December.

Ollie’s 99 is located at 99 Railroad Ave in Greenwich.

Dine in, order at the Ollie’s 99 website for take out or delivery, or call Ollie’s 99 at 203-202-7444.