Ollie's Restaurant Celebrates One Year Anniversary in Dearborn

DEARBORN, MI--(Marketwire - December 15, 2008) - Opening a new restaurant in a down economy and then staying in business for more than six months, according to sources in the industry, demonstrates a willingness to take risk as well as lots of planning, hard work and perseverance.

Ali Hojaij, proprietor and chef of Ollie's Lebanese Cuisine in Dearborn, agrees with those observations. He announced that his restaurant recently celebrated its one year anniversary and plans to expand to accommodate more patrons for banquets, wedding showers, office parties and other special events.

According to Hojaij, who has 15 years experience in the restaurant business, much of Ollie's success is a combination of authentic Lebanese cuisine and the welcoming open atmosphere of the dining area which includes touches of Phoenician, Greek and Roman culture notable in Lebanon.

Greek columns, brass lamps, wooden beams, stone archways, Phoenician sailing ships and other artwork add an historic flavor to the dining experience in the 135-seat restaurant which also offers seating in nice weather in a large outdoor patio.

The well known Detroit News restaurant critic Molly Abraham has reviewed the restaurant's food as authentically Lebanese "from the appetizers -- always notable in good mideastern restaurants -- to main dishes of shish tawook, shish kafta, marinated chicken and fresh, puffy pita bread" that is baked in a stone oven in a corner of the dining room.

Ollie's serves a wide variety of charbroiled, broiled, sautéed and vegetarian entrees along with a complete fresh juice bar. Chef Hojaij takes great pride in the authentic dishes that are prepared, many of which are family recipes.

Located at 16351 Ford Road adjacent to the Fairlane Meadows Shopping Center, the restaurant offers ample free parking and draws a steady lunchtime crowd from nearby stores and office complexes. Hojaij confirms that evenings are also busy, especially on weekends.

"It's not unusual for some of our regular customers to drive here from West Bloomfield, Eastpointe and even Canada for dinner," added Hojaij.

Ollie's Restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. Catering for off-site events is also available.

For more information about Ollie's and to view the menu, visit the restaurant's web site at www.olliescuisine.com or call 313-253-1010.

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Ali Hojaij Ollie's Restaurant 313-253-1010 Margaret Blohm, APR Margaux & Associates, LLC 313-406-3467