Shawn RahmanLocal guide
★★★★★a month ago
The city howled at us that night, a cold, unforgiving New York that crept through Patagonia coat, full grain leather, and human spirit alike. We had crawled from Connecticut sustained by coffee and conversations, and by the time Manhattan appeared, warm authentic Chinese food sounded good, and then there was Ollie’s.<br><br>Inside, all the nonsense of “fine dining” vanished. No velvet ropes. No tragic little portions arranged by philosophers pretending to be chefs. Just steam from the kitchen, clattering plates, and the glorious chaos of a proper Sichuan joint doing what needs to be done on a freezing evening.<br><br>My lady ordered the beef with broccoli. She liked it, and in matters of supper, a wise gentleman quickly learns that her satisfaction is ultimately the higher law.<br><br>I, meanwhile, ordered the roast duck noodle soup, a bowl restorative enough that it could likely reconcile feuding nations. The broth carried warmth, the noodles held their dignity, and the duck possessed the exact degree of sinful saltiness demanded by a winter’s evening.<br><br>The dumplings, alas, simply were not my style. Perfectly harmless little fellows, but lacking the elegance and spirit one hopes for in such things, rather like a Shakespearean actor who forgets half his lines yet continues bowing confidently.<br><br>Still, we departed restored, fortified against the bitter wind with broth, grease, and the fleeting happiness that only a hot meal in New York can provide.
Response from the owner
Shawn, we appreciate the great feedback — and the wonderful writing! A long drive in from Connecticut on a cold New York night, finding warmth and real Chinese food at our door, is exactly the kind of arrival we love being part of. Thanks for dining with us at Ollie's Sichuan Chinese Restaurant — we hope to welcome you back to Midtown West!