Giving Thanks

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Even though Thanksgiving Day has passed, it’s never too late to give thanks. There are many things for which I am thankful. (Keep reading for my eclectic list).

At the top of the list is being a member of the M’tucci’s family. Before I was welcomed to the family in January of 2019, I had been self-employed for 33 years. During that time, I had many good relationships with photo editors and art directors, but I had never experienced a “work family”.

What Founders Jeff Spiegel, Katie Gardner and John Haas have created is extraordinary. In the mid-50s, there was an exhibition and a book, of photographs from photographers around the world called “The Family of Man”. Gender references aside, that is what the M’tucci’s Founders have created: a large family that includes men and women from all walks of life, working together for a common goal: creating the best food and restaurant experience possible.

After nearly five years with M’tucci’s, I’m always energized when I walk in the doors of one of our four restaurants. I’m greeted like a loved family member, but I’m also inspired by the way that the staff greet and interact with each other. Hugs and handshakes are the norm, because that is the atmosphere and culture that Jeff, Katie and John created. Partners Chris, Shawn, Cory, Austin and Amanda embraced that culture of respect and inclusion, so it is part of everything we do.

So, I’m thankful and proud to be part of something special. Here is my short list of thankfulness:

  1. A loving and supportive wife

  2. A generous and kind extended family of in-laws, a brother, a sister, nieces and a nephew, their partners and offspring.

  3. A house full of happy and entertaining dogs and cats

  4. M’tucci’s Sourdough

  5. New Mexico Craft Breweries

  6. A network of friends who have been around for decades

  7. Chimayo Red Chile

  8. A lifetime of travel to and wonderful experiences in 55 countries

  9. Living in the Land of Enchantment

  10. Good health

  11. Life with John Mayer on Sirius XM. I remember a golden time in radio when a few stations played album-oriented-rock (AOR). You never knew what the DJs would come up with, but it certainly wasn’t a “corporate Playlist”. This week musician John Mayer launched his own channel on Sirius XM and it is pretty amazing. He plays his own music less than 10% of the time. He plays music he loves. Yesterday we heard Sinatra, Elvis, Loretta Lynn, Van Morrison, Ray Charles, Bonnie Raitt, Sons of the Pioneers, Pink Floyd, Sly & The Family Stone, The Beatles, Stevie Nicks, Bob Dylan and Ella Fitzgerald and a bunch of musicians I had never heard of. In a time when most radio is boring and repetitive, this is a new, bright musical experience.

  12. Jeff, Katie, John, Austin, Sherri, Chris, Cory, Shawn, Amanda, Damien, Ernest, John E, Robin, Jorge, Tony, Audrey, Josh, Enrique, Adan, Michelle, Fred, Alberto, Aaron, Justin, Roberto, Chewy, Maribelle, Kaylene, Ryan, Joel, Daizy, Liv, Mike, Rebecca, Berta, Justin, Bobbi, Laz, Christina, Brianna, Arcy, Jess, Taña, Ashley, Miia, Joseph, Alex, Juan, Patrick, Howie and Kayla. I apologize if I left someone out. It was not intentional.

Happy Holidays everyone.

Join us in Supporting Mandy’s Farm by attending our Dec. 7 Pairing Dinner at M’tucci’s Moderno or by contributing to the holiday M’tucci’s Feedraiser. As a non-profit working farm, Mandy’s Farm needs feed for all of the animals. Please help during this holiday season. Click on the button or the QR Code. 100% of your donations will purchase animal feed.

 

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Lemon/Thyme Ricotta Filling - Pancetta, Caramelized Onions, Artichokes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Brown Butter Sauce, Pecorino $25

12 oz. NY Strip - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $37

Pan-Seared Ruby Trout - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $25

Herb Braised Beef Cheeks - Creamy Polenta, Haricot Verts $27

Weekend Cocktail

Pumpkin Spiced Latte - Pyrat Rum, Kahlua, Pumpkin Spice Simple Syrup, Cream, Whipped Cream


M’tucci’s Moderno

24 oz. Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $27

Crispy chicken Confit - Risotto, Mushrooms, Celery, Carrots, Alfredo Sauce $23

Weekend Cocktail

Orchid Oasis - Maestro Dobel, Oleo Sacrum, Peach Bitters, Angostura Bitters

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Garlic Pesto Shrimp Linguine - Sautéed Shrimp, Grilled Asparagus, Herb-Roasted Cherry Tomatoes, Creamy Garlic Pesto and House Made Linguine $23

Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $36

24 oz. T-Bone - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $42

Weekend Cocktail

TanQ’ it Peach - Tanqueray Gin, Nikka Vodka, Fresh Lemon Juice, Peach Puree, Tamarindo, Agave Syrup

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Rosemary Chicken - Seared Chicken Breast, Pink Patagonian Shrimp, Caramelized Onions, Rosemary Cream Sauce, House Made Rigatoni, Spice Pecorino, Fresh Herbs $23

Pan-Seared Ruby Trout - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $25

Weekend Cocktail

Cranberry Spritz - Aperol, Prosecco, Cranberry Juice, Club Soda

Live Music for November

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & 1:00 Sunday

Every Sunday: The Dee Brown Situation

11/29 Shane Wallin

M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday 

11/24 Jacob Chavez 

11/30 Lani Nash

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday

11/24 Matt Jones

11/30 RJ Perez

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!