M'tucci's 2021 in Review, Pt. 1
/Let’s take a look back at a year that we won’t soon forget. It was a year with challenges, but it also was a year of opportunities. While M’tucci’s is always looking forward, it is worthwhile to remember the highlights of 2021.
January
M’tucci’s Private Label Wines are introduced. We worked with a small vintner in California who sourced fruit from wine grape farmers in the Russian River Valley and Contra Costa County. That collaboration produced a white wine made from the Verdeho grape, a Dolcetto and a red blend that we called Rosso.
For those who didn’t feel like dining out, M’tucci’s Gourmet TV Dinners were another way to enjoy our food. Everyone had their favorite, but we said goodbye to them in the fall after restaurants were allowed to operate at full capacity.
February
We were able to offer limited indoor and patio dining and continued to expand our selection of Sackett Farms pork in our regular menu and in our weekend specials. With restrictions still in place, Chef Cory continued to create a take out meal kit every week. It featured all that was needed for a 3-course meal, with cooking instructions and a recipe card.
March
We observed St. Patrick’s Day and planned for Easter with themed meals for dining in and taking away. The weather was warming and our guests flocked to the patios. La Gazzeta did profiles on M’tucci’s Bianco, Dolcetto and Rosso wines and each restaurant started a wine night when a bottle of each was only $16.
April
La Gazzeta introduced you to some of the creative chefs at M’tucci’s, showcasing some of their creations. There was a guest column from award-winning writer Matt Goulding. We published an excerpt from his book about Italian food and travel, “Pasta, Pane, Vino”. We also took a look at Italian Trattorias and the vast variety of Italian cheeses.
May
We created special Mother’s Day menus and covered a bit of Mother’s Day history in Italy. After several months of testing and tasting, M’tucci’s Artisanal Italian Sausage arrived in area Albertsons Markets and at all M’tucci’s locations. Chef/Partner Cory Gray has created several recipes using the sausage and there are videos of each one on our YouTube Channel. Watch Cory making Sausage and Rigatoni below.
June
We announced that we would open up the fourth M’tucci’s in the historic building on Central Avenue that housed the former Kelly’s Brew Pub. M’tucci’s Bar Roma will open early in 2022, featuring a redesigned large patio and an interior with an expansive bar and several Charcuterie stations. The menu will reflect typical Roman dishes, as well as many M’tucci’s favorites. The mechanic’s bays in the building behind the main structure now house M’tucci’s Provisions, which produces all of our bread, pasta and mozzarella. There will be another big announcement about M’tucci’s Bar Roma in the next week, so watch this space and/or our social media pages.
We will cover the last half of 2021 next month.
New Year’s Eve Specials
M’tucci’s Italian (closing at 11:00pm)
Ravioli: House Made Ravioli filled with Roasted Sweet Potato & Ricotta topped with Sautéed Pink Shrimp and Lobster, Roasted Root Vegetables, Caramelized Onion, Shrimp Cream Sauce, Peppadew Pepper Relish $27
24 oz. Hand Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $36
Pan-Seared Swordfish: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $31
New Option for Pasta Dalla Forma for Two: Slow Roasted Wild Boar Mushroom Ragu with San Marzano Tomatoes & Caramelized Onion. The add-on is $16 for two.
Weekend Cocktail
Tesorosso: M’tucci’s Reposado, Fresh Lime Juice, Cane Syrup, Tonic Bitters & M’tucci’s Montepulciano
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz Hand-Cut Bone-In Porterhouse: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $38
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Organic Baby Arugula, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $36
House Made Lobster Ravioli: Cold Water Lobster & Crab, Wild Pink Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Grape Tomatoes, Lobster Cream Sauce $32
NYE Beverage Specials
Sparkling
M’tucci’s Sparkling Wine, New Mexico --- $8/$32 B/G
Gruet Grand Reserve, New Mexico --- $55 Bottle
Argyle Brut, Oregon --- $60 Bottle
Rotari Brut 2013, Italy ---$37 Bottle
Red
Rompicollo Super Tuscan 2016, Italy ---$8/$28 B/G
Amancaya Malbec/Cabernet 2018, Arg. ---$45 Bottle
Antinori Antica Townsend 2012, Napa ---$110 Bottle
Live Music
Lani Nash performs 7:30 - 10:00 DJ Music from 10:30 -12:30
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Surf & Turf: 8 oz Filet + Wild Caught Shrimp, Grilled Broccolini, Whipped Sweet Potatoes, Amaro Butter Sauce $39
Baked Salmon and Crab Filled Cannelloni, Lobster Cream Sauce Garnished with Young Parmesan and Fresh Parsley $19
Truffle and Wild Mushroom Ragu, Roasted Onions, House Made Spaghettini, Fresh Herbs, Lemon Zest, Cracked Pepper $16
.Arancini: Crispy Fried Risotto with Porcini and Black Truffles Served with a Mushroom Ragu.
Live Music
Jason Seel performs 7:30 - 10:00 DJ Music from 10:30 -12:30
Weekend Cocktail
Bernalillo County Bubbles: Jameson Irish Whisky, Yellow Chartreuse, Lemon, Honey with a M’tucci’s Sparkling Wine float
Holiday Cocktail
Spiced Cranberry Mule: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Liquid Alchemist Spiced Apple Syrup, Gosling’s Ginger Beer, Fresh Lime Juice
Today is the Last Chance to Purchase Holiday Cookies and the Give & Receive Gift Certificate
Live Music for January M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno
Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30
December
12/31
Jason Seel @ 25 7:30-10 plus DJ 10:30-12:30
Lani Nash @ Moderno 7:30-10 plus DJ 10:30-12:30
January
1/6
Cali Shaw @ 25
Jason Seel @ Moderno
1/7
Lani Nash @ Moderno
1/13
Kirk Matthews @ 25
Sloan Armitage @ Moderno
1/14
Eryn Bent @ Moderno
1/20
Amy Faithe @ 25
RJ Perez @ Moderno
1/21
Kirk Matthews @ Moderno
1/27
Lani Nash @ 25
Melissa Rios @ Moderno
1/28
Jason Seel @ Moderno
That’s all for 2021 Folks. Be Safe, Be Kind. Thanks or reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
