Spring at M'tucci's
/It’s Spring, a time that means renewal, new menu items, fresh ideas and a fresh start after the past winter which seems to have lasted for 12 months! Spring is the time to consider new possibilities, like travel. Especially travel to Italy.
My first trip to Italy took place in April, 26 years ago. Travel was different in 1994, at least planning for it was different. It was the early years of the internet, so planning relied on travel books, usually Lonely Planet, Rick Steves or the Rough Guide. Armed with a list of hotels and restaurants, a Michelin map and a Lonely Planet Phrase book, we landed in Zurich. At that time, car theft was rampant in Italy (primarily in the Mafia-controlled South), which forced Italian rental car insurance sky high. Consequently, car rental rates were significantly higher than rates in Switzerland (about the only thing in Switzerland that was cheaper than Italy). An amazing drive through the Swiss & Italian Alps was the bonus to beginning the trip in Zurich.
Our route would take us to the smallest lake in the Lake District, Orta San Giulio, followed by the Cinque Terre. Florence and Venice were part of the plan, but without any reservations, our schedule was loose. The small town of Orta was the perfect spot for the first night in Italy and April was the perfect time to visit. There were few travelers, so we had no problems finding a room for a couple of nights or a table for dinner.
Warm in the morning sun in Orta San Giulio
Vernazza - A room with a view
After a sunny couple of days in Orta, the drive to the Cinque Terre was wet and dreary. In 1994 the Cinque Terre was five quiet villages along the Ligurian Sea, not quite discovered by hoards of tourists. The weather and the time of year meant we generally had the place to ourselves, dining with locals instead of fellow travelers. We stayed in Vernazza and hoped the rain would stop. It did the next day, however the famous hiking trail between the five villages was too wet and treacherous for walking. The frequent trains made visiting each village easy. The sun worshippers came out for a warm April afternoon. I had Pasta Pesto for the first time and have loved it since.
With more rain forecast, we decided to head south, because we were told it rarely rains on the island of Elba, which sits off of the Tuscan coast in the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is known for it’s beaches and for being the exiled home of French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in the early 1800s. His banishment to the island was painful, since he could sit on the north shore and see his birthplace of Corsica, but was not allowed to visit. The island had not quite opened up to tourism, but we found a mostly deserted hotel and explored the rocky, wind swept - but sunny! - island.
We saved one of the most magical places on Earth for last - Venezia - Venice: La Serrenissima, the City of Bridges, the Floating City. A great place for walking, exploring and getting lost. History, art and architecture are on display around every corner. A major trading center for centuries, it has one of the most amazing markets in Europe and, of course, gondolas (and no cars!).
The islands of Murano and Burano are a popular day trip from Venice. Burano is famous for it’s handmade lace and Murano is known for its blown glass. The brightly colored houses and canals are a photographer’s eye candy.
We wish you and your families a Happy Easter Weekend and brighter prospects for the future - including travel!
EASTER MEAL KIT - Dinner for 2 - Only $37
1st Course: M’tucci’s Spicy Tucumcari Feta Dip w/ Marinated Cucumber and Red Bell Pepper
2nd Course: Lamb Ragù - Lamb, Guanciale, Pancetta, Carrots, Onions, Celery, San Marzano Tomatoes over M’tucci’s Rigatoni
3rd Course: Strawberry Parfait - Lemon Lavender Sponge Cake, Vanilla Chantilly Cream & Macerated Strawberries
Call to Reserve
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
14 oz Herb Rubbed NY Strip - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $29
Pan-Seared Branzino - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce $27
Pasta: Beef & Goat Cheese Ravioli with Pan-Seared Shrimp, House Bacon, Spinach, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Caramelized Onions in a Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce $23
Lamb: Two Lamb Lollipops, Parsnip mash potatoes, sautéed spinach, crispy bacon and caramelized onion, rosemary gastrique $32
Wine: 2017 Frog’s Leap Zinfandel - Bottle $65
2016 Frescobaldi Chianti - Bottle or Glass $35/$10
Cocktail: Nicolette: Fresh Lemon, Botanical Syrup, Egg White and Earl Grey-Infused local Nikle Gin.
Sunday Only: Half Rack of Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, House Made Cole Slaw and House BBQ Sauce for $18
M’tucci’s Moderno
12 oz. Angus NY Strip: Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $27
Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $25
Lobster & Shrimp Pasta - Shrimp, Lobster, Grape Tomatoes in a Lobster Cream Sauce & Spaghettini $29
Crab Dip: Dungeness and Lump Crab, Spinach, Italian Cheese w/ Pita and House Bread $13
Cocktail: Modern Monster: Lime, Pineapple, Passion Fruit, Mint, Angostura Bitters, Light rum and Dark rum
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Several New Menu Items for Spring (a few shown below)
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
