Capatosta Trattoria Opens in Elmsford

“Capatosta in Italian means blockhead or knucklehead,” owner Patricia Pardo says. She gives no specific reason for its choice as a name — just her sense of humor at work. But one would have to be a blockhead not to try this restaurant before the word gets out.

Its menu is similar to the one served at Pardo’s other restaurant, Via Veneto 26 in White Plains, and includes a long-time, best-seller at Via Veneto 26 called Floreti Rustica (pasta, prosciutto, mushrooms, and peas in a pink sauce). I tried this dish at Capatosta and loved it — and its $16.95 cost represents a good value. A second dish that I enjoyed immensely and fully recommend is chicken pecorada served with a choice of pasta, salad or potato croquette ($16.95). It has been one of the most popular dishes at the White Plains sister restaurant.

Another bargain is Capatosta’s osso buco, veal shank with portobello mushrooms in a barolo wine sauce — a large plateful is priced at only $20.95.

But perhaps the biggest value of all is a five-course dinner served family-style for four or more people, priced at $35 per person plus tax and tip.

This awesome meal starts with appetizers shared by all (fried calamari, mozzarella contadina, bruschetta, and cold antipasto), followed by Pulcinella salad (romaine lettuce, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted peppers and onions). Two pastas, fioretti and cavatelli broccoli, are served next (other pastas may be substituted). Three entrées for everyone to eat follow:

Chicken pecorara, tilapia Frances, and eggplant parmesan. Dinner concludes with vanilla gelato with raspberry sauce and coffee, cappuccino or tea.

The à la carte seafood selections include branzino which is not shown on the menu but is always available on request, and halibut insalata with pasta and potato croquette ($23.95).

Happy hour runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the bar only and includes $6 cocktails, beer at half price, and regular-size appetizers at $6.

Lunch specials

Lunch specials include veal parmigiana hero ($8.95), Caesar salad ($6.50), spaghetti with meatballs ($8.95), baked ziti ($8.95), sandwiches ($7.50 to $7.95), six different chicken dishes ($10.95) and six different veal dishes ($13.95).
A private party room can comfortably seat 40. In the pizzeria, customers are welcome to create their own pizzas with ingredients on hand at the restaurant. Specialty pizzas on the menu are offered in three sizes and Sicilian pizzas come in one size only.

Both the restaurant and pizzeria dishes are available for takeout as are hero sandwiches, three to six feet in length (advance order needed). A lengthy catering menu lists half trays (typically $35 to $40) and full trays ($70 or more).

Pardo grew up in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She learned how to play soccer from her three brothers and how to cook from her grandmother, a native of Sulmona, a town in the province of L’Aquila in Abruzzo, Italy. She helped prepare meals for her parents, her brothers, her sister and herself beginning when she was 10.

She arrived in America in 1980 and her first job was working at a restaurant in The Bronx called Marabella, owned by her father and a partner.

Via Veneto 26 opened three years ago at 8 City Place, White Plains, NY 10601, 914-328-4000.

Capatosta Trattoria is located 121 East Main Street, Elmsford, NY. It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. A free parking lot with a direct entrance to the restaurant is located in back. For reservations, call 914-345-3200. The pizzeria phone number is 914-592-8800.