When the producers of Throwdown with Bobby Flay wanted the top Arthur Avenue eggplant Parmesan to square off against, they were told to check out Grandma Maria Cappiello’s version at Mike’s Deli. You can take a trip to Arthur Avenue for the winning eggplant parm (yes, Grandma’s dish beat Bobby’s) or sample it in Westchester at Tuscany Cafe (239 Central Ave, White Plains 914-358-1550), a Wi-Fi-friendly, 30–seat casual eatery owned by Cappiello’s grandson Sal and his wife, Lisa. The chef is Sal’s sister Michele, a CIA and French Culinary Institute graduate. The $14.95 dish is served at dinner only and is made with sautéed, breaded eggplant, fresh marinara sauce, and mozzarella and Romano cheeses. Other offerings at the café include daily homemade soups (try the carrot ginger); panini; salads; mains such as breaded pork cutlet with escarole, beans, and sausage; homemade desserts including tiramisu and pot de crème; and coffee from Tarrytown’s Coffee Labs Roasters. The siblings have plenty of Arthur Avenue cred: their parents owned Emilia’s Restaurant from 1988 to 1999. Tuscany Cafe is open for breakfast and lunch every day and for dinner Tuesday to Sunday.
