M'tucci's 8th Anniversary
/We are putting the finishing touches on a Prix Fixe menu and some special $8 items to celebrate our 8th Anniversary next week. We opened as M’tucci’s Kitchina on July 22, 2013. Many people thought we were a kitchen supply store or anything but an Italian restaurant and the decision was made to change our name to M’tucci’s Italian.
Company President John Haas: “Changing it (the name) to M’tucci’s Italian clearly defined what we were and in the end, defined what our company would be built upon.”
After 23 years of operating 11 restaurants in Manhattan, the founders of M’tucci’s, Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner, decided it was time for a change, so they sold their restaurants and moved back to Albuquerque, Jeff’s hometown, and worked on different projects and jobs until 2013. They recalled that they didn’t go out to restaurants that much, but when they did, the service was uniformly cold and impersonal. Jeff was working as a consultant on economic development and realized that he could create 60 jobs just by opening a restaurant. That’s economic development!
“When Katie and I decided to reprise our restaurant experience in NM after 23 years in the restaurant business in NYC, I knew I wanted a chef partner,” Jeff said.
Three years before that, John Haas had moved to Albuquerque to take over as Executive Chef at Bravo. After turning the restaurant around, he started itching for a challenge. He saw an ad on Craigslist, “Looking for a Chef” and replied. He heard from M’tucci’s founders and learned they were not only looking for a chef, but were looking for a location, too. John was a little more interested in a job at an established restaurant, and didn’t really pursue the connection. However, Jeff continued to pursue John for what would become M’tucci’s Kitchina.
“As has always been our practice, I invited the top three candidates to join me at our home to cook. At the end of those three days, and after countless hours of conversations with John, I pulled the trigger, hired him, and told him that he’d be a partner when the time was right to do the documents. It was the best partner decision I ever made. John cares about others, is a forgiving perfectionist and an excellent leader.”
“When I told Jeff if I wouldn’t have been a chef, I would have been an accountant, I think he thought, ‘I’ve found my chef’”, John said.
In the time leading up to finding a location, they had discussions about the character of M’tucci’s. Would it be fine dining with white tablecloths? From day one, they decided that was not the kind of restaurant they would open. The restaurants they have created follow the traditions of Italian trattorias; fresh, local, house-made food at a fair price.
The current location at Coors & Montaño had been vacant for awhile and the owner was desperate to find a tenant. Jeff liked the location, they made a deal and the renovations began. The rest is history.
Here are few photos from the first year. The Prix Fixe menu for our Anniversary Week follows.
8th Anniversary Week
Monday-Thursday, July 19th-22nd All Day Prix Fixe $29
1st Course -
Shaved Black Hoof Jamon Iberico, Piave Cheese, Onion Mostarda, House Bread
Paired with M’tucci’s Bianco
Vegetarian option available
2nd Course -
Sous Vide Sackett Farm Pork Chop with Colonatta Butter, Roasted Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Cider-Braised Baby Spinach, and Balsamic Reduction
-or-
M’tucci’s Traditional Eggplant Parmesan, Caprese Style with Marinated Tomato, Crumbled Fresh Mozzarella, Basil, Balsamic Reduction, and House Pasta
Paired with M'tucci's Dolcetto
3rd Course -
Banana Rosemary Cake, Caramel Semifreddo, Caramelized rice crispies
Paired with Bambuu Breeze
All week at all Locations:
$8 Calamari
$8 Full Sized Margherita Pizza
1/2 Price Family Charcuterie Boards (regularly $23)
Free 8-year commemorative glass with every Shrub purchased (While supplies last)
Gift Card Giveaway- $50 Gift card drawing every day on Facebook Live - winners are entered into a $100 giveaway at the end of the week.
Reservations Strongly Recommended
Introducing Howie Kaibel, our new Minister of Culture
Known to many in the Albuquerque business community, Howie has been the Community Manager at Yelp for the past nine years. During that time, he has been a promoter for local businesses, working to create a strong community. He will continue to be a community builder, both within the M’tucci’s family and to Albuquerque.
“I am taking what Jeff sees as the core of this company and this family and communicating that to the general public.” he said.
M’tucci’s Catering
If you can conceive it, we can deliver it. M’tucci’s Catering can do everything from lunch in one of the private dining rooms at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno to some of the better venues around Albuquerque, such as Casa Rodeña and Gruet Winery. This week’s catering included a lunch at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five to honor some of New Mexico’s top student athlete/leaders. Former Dallas Cowboy wide receiver, Drew Pearson, was there to offer encouragement and to hand out awards. Last night’s Women of Influence were honored at Casa Rodeña and M’tucci’s Catering was there with appetizers and Charcuterie. For help with your event call Taña at 505-350-0019
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
24 oz Hand Cut Porterhouse: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Balsamic Reduction $38
Pan-Seared Barramundi - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $27
Pasta Della Forma: House Made Spaghettini & Piave Vecchio Cheese, Minimum of two orders, Prepared Table side - $38, Chef’s Condiments Add $3
Appetizers
Beer Battered Herbed Ricotta Stuffed Squash Blossoms: Capers, Oil Pickled Zucchini $10
Clam Toasts & Pancetta with Fennel, Sun-Dried Tomato, White Wine Butter Broth $12
Weekend Cocktail
Mai Tai: Pyrat Rum and Fresh Juices
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. Ribeye: Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $32
Pan-Seared Swordfish: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $27
Crispy Chicken Confit Risotto: Wild Mushrooms, Roasted Carrots & Celery, Carnaroli Rice $19
Weekend Cocktail
The Ambassador: Diplomatico Exclusiva Rum, Amaro Becherovka, House Cinnamon Syrup, Cherry Bitters
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Veal Porterhouse: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $37
Pan-Seared Fluke: Seared Artichokes, Grilled Escarole, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $23
Porcini & Red Wine Braised Sackett Farm Pork Shank: Creamy Mascarpone Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Crispy Fried Shallots $19
Gelato: Stracciatella
Sorbetto: White Peach Lemonade
Weekend Cocktail
Nothing But My Hat On: Sombra Mescal, Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Liquor, Capaletti Aperitivo, Lime & Orange Juices
Live Music @ M’tucci’s Twenty-Five & M’tucci’s Moderno
Thursdays from 7:00-9:00 and Fridays from 8:00-10:00
7/22
RJ Perez @25
Lani Nash @ Moderno
7/23
RJ Perez @ Moderno
7/29
Cali Shaw @ 25
Kirk Matthews @ Moderno
7/30
Cali Shaw @ Moderno
8/5
Kirk matthews @ 25
Eryn Bent @ Moderno
8/6
RJ Perez @ Moderno
8/12
Cali Shaw @25
Kirk matthews @Moderno
8/13
Lani Nash @ Moderno
8/19
Lani Nash @ 25
Melissa Rios @ Moderno
8/20
Kick Matthews @ Moderno
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
