Little Ese

What is Little Ese? Occupying the prominent corner of Queen West and Walnut across from Trinity Bellwoods Park—a corner previously anchored for three decades by white-tablecloth stalwart Noce—Little Ese is a high-energy pizza and cocktail hub. Conceived by Nathan Godin and Elena Arsenov of Pnut Gallery Hospitality (the crew behind Papi Chulo’s and Aleria), the 210-seat venue pairs plush leather booths, photo booths, and neon-lit dining rooms with a massive wrap-around streetside patio.

Little Ese Menu & What to Order The kitchen embraces playful, unpretentious comfort food spanning thin-crust New York-style pies and bar classics. The Hot Honey Ricotta pie is a proven staple, though the cross-concept Birria and Al Pastor pizzas offer satisfying crossover punch. Pair the gargantuan house-made mozzarella batons or the crunchy fried chicken alla vodka sandwich with sprawling tabletop Margarita Towers or a neon Duckin Delicious cocktail topped with a mini rubber duck.

Know Before You Go Tables can be booked in advance via OpenTable, but the generous indoor seating and sprawling outdoor perimeter keep walk-in flow steady for post-park crowds. Weekday happy hour runs from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with discounted pies and drinks before the evening volume picks up. Transit access is seamless via the 501 Queen streetcar, with street parking available on adjacent side streets.