As much as I enjoy à la carte dining, If I’m hungry, time is an issue, and I’m faced with a big menu, my brain goes wonky on me, and I take forever to make up my mind.  Thus, in certain situations, I find the table d’hote concept very appealing.  Literally translated as “the table of the host,” and better known as a prix-fixe menu, this is the opposite of à la carte dining.  And while the fixed price is always appealing to my inner bookkeeper, for me it’s the luxury of having had all of the heavy lifting, decision-wise, done by those in the know, leaving me to simply pick one item from each section.

Recently, I met my dad for dinner at The Venetian (where he was playing in a poker tournament).  Armed with the knowledge that Buddy V’s Ristorante had just rolled out a new set menu, we went to try it out, and were glad we did, because it was pretty fantastic.

Offered only on Tuesday nights, the Mi Familia Locale menu offers diners one choice from each of the following categories: Antipasto, Entrées, and Dessert, and all for thirty bucks and change!  What’s more, it comes with unlimited servings of a ridiculously flavorful Cheesy Garlic Bread that is itself worth the visit.  And if you’ve got a hankering for the vino, the sommelier has selected a Chianti and a Prosecco that pair nicely with this menu; a bottle of which can be added for a $12 upcharge.

Don’t get me wrong: Sometimes I’ve gone to a restaurant with a prix-fixe menu and couldn’t find anything in any category that seemed appealing.  This was not the case at Buddy V’s.  I can state unequivocally that I’d have been happy with any of the selections in each category.  That said, some decisions had to be made. 

Having started with the Cheesy Garlic Bread (which I continued to enjoy throughout the meal), I went with the Caesar Salad (with parmesan, focaccia croutons, and a classic Caesar dressing) that was wonderfully creamy and garlicky; Nonna’s Lasagna al Forno (with Italian sausage, beef, pork, ricotta, mozzarella, provolone, and parmesan) that combined all of the red sauce Italian flavors I love with none that I don’t—hats off to Nonna!—and finished with the Tiramisu (with marsala mascarpone cream, chocolate, espresso, cake, and ladyfingers).  Delizioso!

Now, before you say it, I know what you’re thinking: The Italian word for family is famiglia, and you’re correct.  However, back during the Pax Romana, when Latin was the official language, the term familia was used to describe what we think of, today, as the nuclear family.

So, when Buddy V’s invites you to enjoy the Mi Familia Locale menu, on Tuesday nights, it’s because they consider you part of the Buddy V’s family.  But, lest you linguists fret, Buddy V’s is also offering the La Famiglia To Go menu—available Monday through Thursday—where you simply place your to-go order and pick it up in the driveway of what used to be Barney’s, without having to leave your car.

And while there are few things in life I enjoy more than the sound of my own voice, I’m gonna leave you with the words of my dad, who—as we were enjoying our coffee and dessert—proclaimed “This was fantastic!  Every single dish, in fact.  Even the decaf was good, Michael.  The decaf!”

Mi Familia Locale menu | Tuesday nights
Buddy V’s Ristorante | The Venetian Resort
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