Ollie's (CLOSED)

Basically an ok Chinese restaurant with good food right across from the movie theater. Some of the staff is a bit rude some are nice like everywhere. I'm commenting because they do let homeless eat in their outside lobby/take out area which is not part of their restaurant area. I can't believe anyone would criticize them for being kind-how unfortunate.

For inexpensive Asian cuisine, this is pretty good. The lunch special is a good selection (preferably the Tofu with black bean sauce and the sesame chicken -both of which I prefer spiced up), and dining in is always a pleasant experience. But time and time again, when I order for delivery, the kitchen fills the container with so much rice. Even when asked specifically not to. So, you get your food and it's pretty much dried up from any remnants of a sauce because the rice has soaked it all up. They just don't listen. Now, I will only eat in... at least then I know the rice will come on the side, and I can do with or without however much I want.

It's best for take-out or delivery. Curt, (kinda rude) phone staff but whatever, deal. Delivery is prompt. It's like they have a kitchen in your building. The prices are more than reasonable. Quality is above average, but nothing spectacular, nothing terrible. I'd never actually eat in the place again, it's lacking on many fronts. They're open late as well. If they improved their quality only slightly, I'd like it more. And I don't think a homeless shelter is so hip.

Rude waiters that stood around our table as we ate- one person actually leaned against my friend's booth from the other side as we ate dinner, almost looking over us! When we left a smaller tip to reflect our dissatisfaction, another waiter had the nerve to be rude and tell one of my friends to leave. I do not recommend.

While I usually head for Chinatown. we were in the area. Artsy decor. busy, busy, busy place. It was much better than I expected: nice vegetable dumplings, excellent sesame chicken. affordable wine and beer, I found the service neither rushed nor the servers rude. For two entrees, an appetizer,and two drinks . it totalled $39.(It was a Saturday night.but neither pre nor post theatre time .which could explain the relative ease of service.)

Its not a bad place to eat, the food tastes great and it comes in pretty big portions but the things I don't like is the coldness of the staff and the constant raising prices of the food. I could never rely on their menus anymore because all their prices are raised. I also don't like that there is always at least one homeless person around making a big scene but other than that its not bad.

My wife & I ate here for the whole time that we were in NYC. It was a great find and the food excellent. Definitely best value for money. I would recommend it to anyone going to NYC.