Telling the M'tucci's Story

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Last week I celebrated three years working with this dynamic company. In 2018 my wife and I had relocated to Albuquerque after living in Mexico for eight years. We had a business photographing destination weddings and teaching photography workshops in Chiapas. We were both ready for a change and I was ready for a new challenge.

It all started when I read an op-ed piece in the Sunday Journal by M’tucci’s founder, Jeff Spiegel. In his essay, he took local companies to task for complaining about the lack of talent in New Mexico. He said that M’tucci’s had no problem finding and keeping talented people and that they would open their third location soon.

I sent Jeff and Katie an email the next day saying, “I wonder if my skills would be of interest to you.” Luckily they said yes. After beginning my career as a newspaper photographer, then transitioning to television news, I moved on to freelance photography. For the last 40 years, I have told stories and made photos for magazines (TIME, Newsweek, Smithsonian), books (National Geographic) and corporate clients.

I was given the job of telling the M’tucci’s story. I would use social media, enhance this website and make videos for a new YouTube channel. After the first month, Jeff said, “I want a newsletter or weekly newspaper.” La Gazzeta first appeared on this website on March 18, 2019. The M’tucci’s story not only includes the amazing team, the food and drinks, but also the culture of Italy and how it influences everything at M’tucci’s.

A lot has happened in the last three years: the Market & Pizzeria closed, M’tucci’s Twenty-Five opened, all restaurants closed, all restaurants opened, family meal kits were created, new patio spaces built, new M’tucci’s pork, sausage and wine was introduced, and an ever expanding group of talented people came to the M’tucci’s family. Let me indulge in a little nostalgia and show some of the images and videos from the past three years.

SCENES FROM THE MARKET

The Market closed in November 2019, after several years of being a popular destination for West side residents. Unfortunately, with the opening of M’tucci’s Twenty-Five a few months away, we decided that we couldn’t do both.

M’TUCCI’S FAMILY

The Partners in 2019 at the Market & Pizzeria.

Some of the Chefs and Managers at our three locations.

EVENTS

Weddings, fundraisers, shrub cocktail classes and Mother’s Day Brunch at Gruet Winery were just a few of the events that we catered in the past three years.

NEW PRODUCTS

M’TUCCI’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

There are more than 80 videos on M’tucci’s YouTube channel, covering cooking demonstrations and cocktail techniques. However, the video below is our most popular, with Chef Cory’s demonstration for making Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon being viewed by more than 3,800 people.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli: House Made Ravioli filled with Mushrooms & Ricotta topped with House Capicolla, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, with a 10-year-old Balsamic Butter Sauce $25

16 oz. Hand Cut NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $34

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahii: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke Hearts, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $25

Sackett Farms Braised Pork Shank: Mashed Potatoes, Red Wine Porcini Braising Sauce $25

Weekend Cocktail

Rumarretto: Pyrat Aged Rum, Lazzaroni Amaretto, Heavy Cream, Brown Sugar Syrup, Angostura Bitters, Cinnamon


M’tucci’s Moderno

6 oz Hand-Cut Black Angus Filet: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $34

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Organic Baby Arugula, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $26

Beef Tips Tortellini: Cajun Seasoning, Grape Tomatoes, Rosa Sauce $20

Weekend Cocktail

Aperol Sour: Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Aperol, Simple Syrup, Fresh Lime, Egg White


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Frutti di Mar: White Clams, Totten Inlet Black Mussels, Pink Patagonia Shrimp, Spicy Roasted Clam Tomato Sauce, House Spaghettini & Fresh Basil $23

24 oz. Bone-In NY Strip: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Broccollini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $34

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahit: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $25

Cicchetti Special: Smoked Salmon Tartare, Strawberry Shrub Jam, House Rosemary Pecorino Crackers, Fresh Herbs $6

Weekend Cocktail

Pelirrojo: Espolon Blanco Tequila, Ginger Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice & Grapefruit Juice Soda

Live Music for January, February & March at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:00

M’tucci’s Italian has soft cello or violin dinner music every Thursday night.


January

1/14

Eryn Bent @ Moderno

1/20

Amy Faithe @ 25

RJ Perez @ Moderno

1/21

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

1/27

Lani Nash @ 25

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

1/28

Jason Seel @ Moderno

2/3

RJ Perez @ 25

Eryn Bent @ Moderno

2/4

Lani Nash @ Moderno

2/10

Melissa Rios @ 25

Jason Seel @ Moderno

2/11

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

2/17

Kirk Matthews @ 25

Rj Perez @ Moderno

2/18

Lani Nash @ Moderno

2/24

Amy Faithe @ 25

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

2/25

Eryn Bent @ Moderno

3/3

RJ Perez @ 25

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

3/4

Lani Nash @ Moderno

3/10

Lani Nash @ 25

Nathan Fox @ Moderno

3/11

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

3/17

Amy Faithe @ 25

Jason Seel @ Moderno

3/18

Lani Nash @ Moderno

3/24

Eryn Bent @ 25

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

3/25

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!