Italy without Italians?

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Our most recent trip to Italy began in Croatia. We flew into Dubrovnik for a few days, took a taxi up the coast to a small town known for it’s oyster farms, then a boat to the island of Korčula for two days and finished by taking a ferry to Split for three days. The trip had highs and lows. First the highs - the food and the people.

Croatia was part of the Roman Empire in the 7th century, during which time the Roman Emperor Diocletian built a palace in Split which still stands today. The Venetians exerted control of the Dalmation coast along the Adriatic in the 1400s and continued to trade with and influence the Croatians.

The cuisine of the Dalmatian coast, where we visited, is heavily influenced by Italy. The restaurants and the markets resemble their Italian counterparts with olive oil, garlic, pasta, prosciutto, seafood, grilled vegetables and a wide selection of wine. The wine was outstanding. Unfortunately, either due to production volumes or lack of demand, Croatian wines are hard to find in the U.S. We saw a few familiar grapes like Merlot and Pinot Noir, but the most popular reds are Babić and Plavac Mali (related to Zinfandel) and the popular whites are Pošip and Grk.

The Croatians are incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they are especially kind to cats. You see cats everywhere in the old town sections of Dubrovnik and Split. They all looked healthy and happy, being cared for by their human neighbors.

Now for the lows. The old towns of Dubrovnik, Split and Trogir (near Split) were overrun by tour groups from cruise ships. Dubrovnik is a small city of 30,00 residents, but they host more than 750,000 cruise ships passengers during a roughly six month cruising season. That averages out to more than 4,000 people a day crowding the narrow streets of the old city. That is in addition to the visitors who are visiting for more than just a day trip.

We chose to stay in the old historic parts of both cities, inside the walls of Dubrovnik and inside Diocletians Palace in Split. While atmospheric, the crowds were challenging. The Dalmatian coast has a mountain range that parallels the water. The historic center of Dubrovnik is pedestrian-only, which means a lot of walking on stone streets with lots of steps. Wear good walking shoes!

If you don’t care about a swim in the Adriatic and you don’t like crowds, try Croatia in April or October. Enjoy these photos.

Going in September meant more tourists, but it also meant that the Adriatic was warm enough to swim. The amazingly clear water wasn’t Caribbean-warm, but it was warm enough. No sandy beaches, so wear water shoes to protect your feet from the rocks and pebbles.

Only a Few Spots Left for Thursday Night

Irby Wood from Jackson Family Wines will be there to introduce the wines. He promises a surprise pour and will have a door prize for one lucky participant.

Get your Gift Card, then order your Holiday Cookie Box!

$19 - Please call the restaurant closest to you.

Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting, Biscochitos, Dark Chocolate Cookies,

Mini Olive Oil Loaf

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Roasted Butternut Squash Ricotta Filling - Cotto Ham, Red Onions, Asparagus, Gorgonzola Thyme Cream Sauce, Fennel Sprouts, Pecorino $25

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

Pan-Seared Scallops - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $41

Sackett Farms Pork Saltimbocca - Prosciutto & Sage Wrapped Pork Chop, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $21

Weekend Cocktail

Apple of My Eye - Crown Royal, Honey Simple Syrup, Cinnamon Apple Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters


M’tucci’s Moderno

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

Pan-Seared Ocean Trout - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29

Shrimp & Goat Cheese Pasta - Patagonia Shrimp, Sweet and Spicy Jalapeño Goat Cheese Sauce, House Made Spaghetti $23

Weekend Cocktail

Tis the Season - Botanist Gin, Select Amaro, Fresh Lemon Juice, Rosemary/Cranberry Simple Syrup, Sparkling Wine Float

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Chicken Piccata Tortelloni - Seared Chicken Breast, Cheese Tortelloni, Capers, Green Onions, Lemon Butter Sauce $25

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29

8 oz. Picanha - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $33

Weekend Cocktail

Chocolate Tequila Martini - Casaamigos Tequila, 1921 Crema, Chocolate Licor 43, Simple Syrup, Chocolate Syrup

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Red Chile Brodo Cheese Ravioli - House Made Five Cheese Ravioli Filling, Roasted Red Chile, Sackett Farms Pork Shoulder, Seasonal Veggies $27

Pan-Seared Barramundi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33

Weekend Cocktail

Reverse Jet Lag - Avion Reposado Tequila, Kahlua, Lavazza Espresso, Simple Syrup, Half & Half

Live Music for December

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

Every Sunday: The Dee Brown Situation

12/6 Cali Shaw

12/13 Alex Maryol

12/20 Gilbert Uribe

12/27 RJ Perez 

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

12/1 Gilbert Uribe 

12/7 Johnny Lloyd 

12/8 Marty York

12/14 Shane Wallin

12/15 Matt Jones

12/21 Javier Ortega 

12/22 Cali Shaw

12/28 Rj Perez 

12/29 Shane Wallin

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

12/1 Grace Marks 

12/7 Javier Ortega 

12/8 Cali Shaw 

12/14 Rj Perez 

12/15 Gilbert Uribe 

12/21 Johnny Lloyd 

12/22 Oscar Butler 

12/28 Shane Wallin 

12/29 Matt Jones

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!