9   +   2   =  

Straight from our TVs to San Antonio, the Cake Boss opens Buddy V’s Ristorante at 15900 La Cantera Parkway. Buddy Valastro, known largely for his elaborate custom cakes and long running TLC cake decorating show, brings his family’s Italian food to the people of the Alamo City. Buddy expands from the original Carlo’s Bake Shop in New Jersey to restaurants in Las Vegas, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and now, here!

Photo by Karissa Rangel

A business rooted in family, the Valastro’s chose San Antonio based on its family-friendly values. A family affair, Buddy, his wife, Lisa, and their four kids even came to town to cut the ribbon at the grand opening alongside the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce.

Photo by Karissa Rangel

Inside the new restaurant, the recipes are evocative of family cooking with dish names like My Wife’s Eggplant Parm, Aunt Nina’s Mozzarella en Carozza, My Dad’s Bucatini Carbonara and more. From cannolis to raviolis you can dine at Buddy V’s for lunch and dinner. There’s even a special “sunset” menu from 3-5 p.m. Also, incase you were wondering… happy hour is a weeklong affair at Buddy V’s. That’s right, seven days a week from 3-6:30 p.m. you can enjoy $3 domestic beers, $6 specialty cocktails and $4 small bites.

Photo by Karissa Rangel

At the grand opening we sampled from Buddy’s Salumi and Cheese Board, Molinari Sopressata Spicy Capicola to Prosciutto San Danielle, and from the dinner menu, Spinach and Artichoke Pizza. And let’s not forget the breads. Oh yes, all the Italian breads!

Photo by Karissa Rangel

But what would a Buddy Valastro opening be without a cake from Carlo’s Bakery? For the Texan occasion, a three-dimensional Alamo cake was wheeled out. As tasty as it was beautiful, Buddy is certainly the Cake Boss for a reason. I’m happy to report, the soft white cake with strawberry filling actually makes the list of my favorite cakes.

Photo by Karissa Rangel

You can find Buddy V’s Ristorante at The Shops at La Cantera across from P.F. Chang’s. Visit them Sunday through Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. or Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. And if you’re looking for baked goods, Carlo’s Bake Shop is just a short walk away near Kona Grill.