Feeding our Guests: The M'tucci's Way

Back in March, before it was obvious that dining rooms at restaurants would have to close, M’tucci’s Partners devised a plan for the months ahead. Of course, one goal was to keep as many workers employed as possible, the other goal was to offer food that we know our guests love and to make it as easy as possible for them to get their M’tucci’s. The results of that meeting have been introduced during the past month: a uniform take out/delivery menu, Chef-created lunch specials, and Heat & Eat products at Albertsons.

The biggest hit has been the M’tucci’s Prep Kitchen boxes for your weekend family meals.

“ This is a project that we had quietly worked on for nearly 3 years.  We even started an LLC for the idea because we almost launched it shortly after Moderno.  When things didn’t materialize back then, it was tabled (no pun intended).  As this all started to simmer, we thought it’d be the perfect time to introduce some of the ideas, especially M’tucci’s Prep Kitchen Meal Kits,” said M’tucci’s President/Company Chef John Haas.

“We really love these kits because they show off how approachable great food can be, of course with a little added chef’s touch before you buy it.  Chef/Partner Cory Gray has been planning these boxes, the ingredients and the recipes which showcase his food style: technically clean, vibrant, and wholesome.  It is the perfect combination: the concept and the chef.  The pastry chefs have really been excited to get involved and come up with new ideas.”

”You’ll see this evolve in the next week or two with several kits available throughout the entire week.  They’ll be on the menu and always in stock.  The piece de resistance each week will be the rotating kit that is available from Thursday until its gone.  We just love how this warms up the family table at home with a fresh meal and delivers quality and simplicity.  It’s everything our restaurants are about - just at your home.”

The current M’tucci’s Prep Kitchen: Pineapple Marinated Roasted Pork Tenderloin, Roasted Vegetables & M’tucci’s S’mores. Only $39 for a meal for up to four people.

A few photos from the past Prep Kitchen kits. Available each Thursday at 11:00 for ordering. Each meal has been prepped for you to finish. Each box has a recipe card and a link to a video tutorial with Chef Cory giving you step-by-step instructions on preparing your meal. The video for the Pork Tenderloin is below.

Weekend Specials

I love eating, cooking and traveling, not necessarily in that order. I’ve been around a lot of restaurants and around the world, plus I lived on an island in the Caribbean for eight years. I’m a big fan of fresh seafood. I boldly made the comment to John Haas last week that I don’t like take out seafood. I want to eat it as soon as it comes out of a kitchen (or my kitchen).

Last Friday I photographed the seafood special at M’tucci’s Italian, which they made especially for the photos - then they said take it home. I hesitated for a moment, then slipped the Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi, Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach and Grilled Artichokes into a take out container and drove home, about 10 minutes away.

My wife and I ate the dinner and I am here to EAT MY WORDS!! The fish was still warm, moist, perfectly cooked and enhanced by the Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce. I felt stupid and happy at the same time. So, going forward I will happily share our weekend seafood specials with you. You won’t be disappointed.

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Applewood Smoked Bacon Carbonara - House Smoked Bacon, Italian Prosciutto, Sautéed Leeks, Sweet Peas, Carbonara Sauce and Spaghetti $17

$8 Brunch Specials Saturday & Sunday - all served w/ Mixed Green Salad, Marinated Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Bacon Green Chile or Mushroom Spinach Quiche

Ham, Egg, Green Chile, Potato. Mozzarella Breakfast Burrito with House Made Tortillas

Sourdough Biscuit Fried Chicken - Mixed Green Salad, Marinated Tomatoes, Balsamic Vinaigrette

M’tucci’s Italian

Pan-Seared Swordfish, Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Grilled Asparagus, Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc $24

Sunday Only: Family Rib Dinner - Full rack of Baby Back Pork Ribs with sides for $27

M’tucci’s Moderno

Pan-Seared California Halibut, Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Spinach, Roasted Artichokes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce $24

Sunday Only: Large Portion of Lasagna for $16, Family Size $30

Soul of a Chef Lunch Series

This series introduces two specials from two Chef’s at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Moderno each week. The dishes might be inspired by their childhood, their travels or simply one of their favorite dishes from their cooking careers. The specials change every Wednesday and are available from 11:00 - 4:00 every day.

Thanks to you, we have been able to call back some of our furloughed kitchen staff and servers. Servers are helping with curbside pickup/delivery and with packaging for our Prep Kitchen kits and Heat & Eat meals available at Albertsons. The response for the Meals and Bread at Albertsons has been amazing, so if you see one, better grab it. Some locations sell out daily.

We continue our daily meal program for our furloughed employees and their families. This program continues because of your support. Also, thanks to your generosity, we were able to distribute more than $20,000 to those same employees. Our family thanks you.

M’tucci’s Corporate Partners

Several local, national and international sponsors have partnered with us to donate meals to health care workers in the metro area. Some of the sponsors include Southern Glazer Wine & Spirits and Beam Suntory brands. Contact Partner Austin Leard to learn how you can join us: [email protected]

Austin delivering more than 50 lunches to Rust Medical Center in Rio Rancho.