Authentic Italian

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A UNM student, recently returned from a stay in Italy, contacted us for an essay she needed to write on Italian authenticity. What is authentically Italian? I explained my and M’tucci’s views on what constitutes authentic Italian food.

First, Italian cuisine is regional and the definition of Italian cuisine has many flavors and descriptions. Long-time readers of La Gazzetta know that polenta and risotto come from the north, pesto originated in Liguria, cicchetti are synonymous with Venice, Cacio e Pepe is Roman, bitter greens are popular in Puglia and arancini come from Sicily. However, you can find pizza, pasta, mozzarella and tomatoes throughout the country.

Elizabeth asked what our Chefs learned on our trips to Italy and how did we apply that knowledge to being “authentically Italian”?

It’s not only the foods we ate, but experiencing how Italians view food, cooking and eating. In short, authentic Italian is gathering the best ingredients possible, cooking them simply and enjoying a long meal with friends and family.

So, during this holiday weekend, if you can’t visit a M’tucci’s for Italian food, buy the best ingredients you can find, prepare them simply and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch with friends and family. It’s the M’tucci’s way.

All M’tucci’s locations are closed on Monday, July 4th.

Happy Independence Day. Be safe!

Chef Damien & M’tucci’s Bar Roma in the Vegan Chef Challenge!

Vegan Options at M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Grilled Watermelon Bruschetta - Market bread, Fresh Basil, Balsamic Reduction, Maldon Salt $5

Risotto Oro - Smoked Golden Beet Risotto, Charred Fennel, Braised Greens, Served with a Vanilla Thyme Oil and Beet Chips (shown above) $16

Mango Apricot Sorbetto $6

Try them all and vote often!

July Dinners at M’tucci’s

July 7 @ M’tucci’s Italian

July 14 @ M’tucci’s Moderno

July 21 @ M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

ABQ The Mag - Best of the City

Let’s make it 3 Years in a Row! Vote now by clicking here or using the QR code.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Pesto/Ricotta filled: Chicken, Sautéed Mushrooms, Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce, Crispy Prosciutto, Pecorino & Chives $27

14 oz Herb-Rubbed Hand-Cut Ribeye: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $39

Pan-Seared Swordfish: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $33

Braise - Sackett Farms Pork Shank - braised in Red Wine, over Creamy Polenta, Braising Sauce & Gremolata $27

Weekend Cocktail

America’s Sweet-Tart: Redemption Rye, Creme de Violet, Simple Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, Rhubarb Bitters


M’tucci’s Moderno

24 oz. Hand Cut Porterhouse - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $41

Pan-Seared Artic Char - Roasted Artichoke, Sautéed Organic Arugula, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $27

Chicken Portobello - Garlic, Butter Pan-Roasted Demi-Glase, Spaghettini Pasta $21

Weekend Cocktail

Red, White and Blueberries: Campo Bravo Reposado Tequila, M’tucci’s Blueberry/Raspberry Shrub, Lavender Honey Syrup, Muddled Blueberries, Splash of Soda


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

24 oz. Hand Cut Porterhouse - Grilled Broccolini, Whipped Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Blackberry bone Marrow Butter $41

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $33

Porchetta - Slow Roasted Pork Belly stuffed with Italian Herbs, Pine Nuts, Mortadella; Smoked Cauliflower Purée, Braised Greens, Roasted Red Bell Pepper & Apple/Raisin Demi Glace $24

Weekend Cocktail

Blackberry Sour: Michter’s All American, Fresh lemon Juice, Blackberry & Mint Infused Simple Syrup, Egg White, Rhubarb Bitters


M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Pan-Seared Grouper - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula, Pan Seared Artichoke Hearts, Served With a Lemon Caper Butter Sauce. $34

Veal Porterhouse - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Asparagus Fritti, Fesh Heerbs with a Mushroom & Marsala Wine Sauce $35

Cicchetti Specials - House Duck Pate, Blueberry/Raspberry Shrub Jam, Agave, Fresh Basil, Maldon Salt.

Weekend Cocktail

White Negroni: Ford’s Gin, Contrato Bianco Vermouth, Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Orange Bitters & Lemon Twist

Live Music for July

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm

7/3 Rob Martinez

7/6 RJ Perez

7/10 Austin Van

7/13 Lani Nash

7/17 RJ Perez

7/20 Cali Shaw

7/24 Melissa Rios

7/27 Amy Faithe

7/31 Nathan Fox

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30

7/1 RJ Perez

7/7 Eryn Bent

7/8 Melissa Rios

7/14 RJ Perez

7/15 DeAndre Aragon

7/21 TBD

7/22 Matt Jones

7/28 Chessa Peak

7/29 Jason Seel

M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30

7/1 Lani Nash

7/7 John Martinez

7/8 Alex Maryol

7/14 Matt Jones

7/15 TBD

7/21 Oscar Butler

7/22 Chessa Peak

7/28 Austin Van

7/29 Matt Jones

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!