New from the folks at the lauded Nancy’s Hustle, Tiny Champions is another east side winner. The menu is short but imaginative and the food soul satisfying. Prices are right, and most dishes travel well. Order this to go: What sounds like a ho-hum starter, the “thinly shaved mushrooms” turned out to be slivers of cremini mushrooms with olive oil, a shot of lemon and black pepper, and a snowfall of Parm—simply delish. More hearty are the five smoky fried mozzarella balls, creamy within and crusty outside, served with marinara sauce. We soldiered on with the mortadella tortellini, perfectly al dente, bathed in lemon butter, and, for extra texture, sporting pistachios. Our pizza, covered with tomato, mozzarella, sausage, peppers, onion, and basil, had a bit too much char for us but still tasted fine. Pro tip: Order online and arrive a little early for pickup, as parking can be tricky.
Note: Review reflects COVID-19 protocols in place at the time of visit.