M'tucci's is Up for the Challenge

/

M’tucci’s Bar Roma is joining area restaurants to showcase the flavors of meatless dishes in the Albuquerque Vegan Challenge. Last year Executive Chef Damien Lucero created an incredible Smoked Golden Beet Risotto. He rises to the challenge again this year with Oltre il Pomodoro: Smoked Tomato Ragù, Marinated Gigante Beans, Wine-Braised Escarole, Beyond Meat, Durum Wheat Pasta, Smoked Parsley Oil & Fresh Basil.

“When we entered the Vegan Challenge in 2022, Chef Damien took what I considered to be a very rustic Italian traditional side dish, risotto, and elevated it to a delightful vegan main course, the Risotto Oro - Smoked Golden Beet Risotto, Charred Fennel, Braised Greens, Served with a Vanilla Thyme Oil and Beet Chips. It was an entirely tummy-stuffing dish, so rich I could barely clean my plate, and it was hard to believe there wasn't cheese mixed into those grains of rice. Throughout the month, we saw new guests and old friends coming in specifically to get a taste of it, and we knew we were delighting a segment of diners that hadn't necessarily considered M'tucci's as a culinary go-to. It was a win across the board, and the dish landed an award for Best Presentation,” said Howie Kaibel, M’tucci’s Minister of Culture.

“This year, when we breached the subject of a new entree, I saw Damien's eyes light up, alongside a wide grin. "I'm thinking I want to do a ragu," he mused. "I mean, it's the ultimate Italian meaty dish, right? But I'm going to do it meatless. And people aren't going to believe it." That's precisely what the Chef has ultimately created, here, with the Oltre il Pomodoro, and I'm excited to watch the eyes of our Nob Hill guests light up after their first bite,” Howie added.

“Creating this vegan dish and also the vegetarian options we have at Bar Roma, has been extremely instrumental in developing deeper flavors for the entire menu. It’s been a blast rethinking and retooling the concept of our fundamental, deep connection to food. 

Fire - Smoke - Spice - Salt - Vinegar - Umami 

These can all be used to transform Vegetables, Fungi, Fruits, Nuts and Legumes into something truly magical. 

Anyone can grab a seat at the table and I wanna make sure they have something wonderful to eat when they do”, said Chef Damien.

Oltre il Pomodoro will be available during the month of August. After you have enjoyed it, please vote for us at the Challenge website. Click here to vote.

Better Hurry

Only a few Seats Left for the Steel Bender Pairing Dinner

Brunch every Weekend at M’tucci’s Bar Roma

11:00 - 3:00 Special Brunch Menu and Bloody Mary Bar - Cornhole on the Patio

DJ on the patio Sunday 12:30 - 2:30

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Lemon/Thyme Ricotta Filling, Pancetta, Caramelized Onions, Artichokes, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Brown Butter Sauce, Pecorino $27

12 oz. Bone-In Hand-Cut Veal Chop - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $36

Pan-Seared White Sea Bass - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33

Braise - Wagyu Beef Cheeks, Red Wine Porcini Braise, Creamy Polenta, Haricot Vert $29

Weekend Cocktail

Kentucky Pineapple - Old Forester 86, Pineapple Juice, Pineapple Rosemary Shrub, Honey Simple Syrup, Angostura Bitters


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz Hand Cut NY Strip - Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Salsa Verde $37

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

Seafood Pasta - Shrimp, Baby Scallops, Clams, Salmon, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Chardonnay Cream Sauce, House Made Linguine $27

Weekend Cocktail

Crystal Pisco Punch - Bacardi Mago Chile Rum, Pisco, Clarified Lime Juice, Simple Syrup

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Herb Marinated Sackett Farms Pork Tenderloin - Mushroom Marsala Sauce, Pancetta-Wrapped Aspargus, Roasted Sweet Potato Mash, $26

Pan-Seared White Sea Bass - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce $33

14 oz. Boneless Ribeye - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Compound Butter $42

Weekend Cocktail

Purple Coin - Espolon Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Muddled Blackberries, Orgeat Almond

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Oltre il Pomodoro (Vegan) - Smoked Tomato Ragù, Marinated Gigante Beans, Wine-Braised Escarole, Beyond Meat, Durum Wheat Pasta, Smoked Parsley Oil & Fresh Basil $16

Pan-Seared Rock Fish - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $24

Weekend Cocktail

The Jackrabbit - Jack Daniels, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Fresh Lemon Juice, Strawberries & St. Germain, Angostura Bitters

Dessert 

Chocolate Nonino Sorbetto - 7.00 

Live Music for August

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday

8/9 Gilbert Uribe 

8/16 Justin Nuñez 

8/23 Shane Wallin 

8/30: Chessa Peake

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

8/4 Hilda Kirschner

8/10 Lani Nash 

8/11 RJ Perez 

8/17 Matt Jones

8/18 Melissa Rios

8/24: Chessa Peake

8/25 Lani Nash

8/31 Eryn Bent

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

8/4 Javier Ortega 

8/10 Eryn Bent

8/11 Johnny Lloyd

8/17 Shane Wallin 

8/18 Hilda Kirschner

8/24 Gilbert Uribe

8/25: Chessa Peake

8/31 Matt Jones

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!