Our M'tutoring Program
/This week, we at M’tucci’s are especially excited to tell our fans about a very special program which has recently launched, something we’re affectionately titling “M’tutoring”. Nearly one year ago, company founder and visionary, Jeff Spiegel, set out to identify whether there were children within the extended M’tucci’s staff who could use additional educational assistance. A simple survey of company employees determined there were, perhaps, upwards of two dozen kids in need of some sort of help, from special needs to basic scholastic tutoring.
Moving into the summer of 2023, Jeff and his wife, Katie, committed a sizable budget of their own monies to the cause, and then tasked the company’s Minister of Culture, Howie Kaibel, with building the structure of the program and getting it started. Howie consulted with educators and decided the program should be streamlined and simplified, and together they agreed to limit the age range and areas of study. Ultimately, it was determined that kids aged 10 years old and younger would qualify, for tutoring in reading and math.
Next, Howie interviewed and vetted a number of candidates to helm the program, eventually identifing Sarah Weschler, a full time paraprofessional at Amy Biehl High School in downtown Albuquerque. Sarah then set out to interview the entirety of M’tucci’s staff – over 300 people. By the time Sarah had finished just two of the four restaurants, she’d identified eight eligible kids, and launched tutoring sessions. Since her schedule was already packed and they anticipated the program doubling in size, Howie hired a second tutor, Honoria “Sol” Andrews, who is set to begin teaching next week.
Sarah and two of our employee’s kids, Graci and emri, work on reading fundamentals at our moderno restaurant
Modeled to ideally host tutoring sessions in our own restaurants, Sarah and Sol also conduct sessions in the homes of our employees, if necessary. The next step of the process involves identifying reliable, annual funding resources, and that has led Howie to organizations such as the Albuquerque Community Foundation, private companies, and generous individuals, however nothing tangible has yet been established, so if you’d like to support this wonderful cause, please let us know! Howie is also finding strong support and resources via the APS Education Foundation, of which he is a board member.
The outpouring of encouragement from M’tucci’s families, staff and guests has been heartwarming, and it reflects the goodwill of owners Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner (who was once an educator herself), people who built the company to do more than simply serve Italian cuisine. At M’tucci’s, we believe we are obligated to care for our people and their families, and make no mistake, M’tucci’s also greatly benefits from a business model that creates cyclical, generational employment. We love our people and, by extension, we care about their kids.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Shishito Pepper Ricotta - Spicy Capocollo, Kale, White Lisbon Onion, Sungold Cherry Tomatoes, Gorgonzola Thyme Cream Sauce $27
14 oz. Boneless Hand Cut Ribeye - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43
Pan-Seared Grouper - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $35
Cioppino - Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Bay Scallops, Seafood Tomato Brodo, M’tucci’s Bread, Lemon Zest $29
Weekend Cocktail
Italian’s Negroni - Campari, Beefeater Gin, China-China Amaro
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. NY Strip - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Salsa Verde $37
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $31
Crispy Chicken Confit Risotto - Crispy Chicken, Risotto, Mushrooms, Celery, Carrots, Alfredo Sauce $23
Weekend Cocktail
White Negroni - Plymouth Gin, St. Germain Liqueur, M&R Blanco Dry Vermouth
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Sausage Tortellini - Cheese Tortellini, Sausage, Mushroom, Caramelized Onions, Fresh Mozzarella, Spicy Marinara Sauce $24
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
14 oz. Ribeye - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43
Weekend Cocktail
Negroni 25 - M’tucci’s Barrel Select El Tesoro Reposado, Campari, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Cynar 70 Proof Amaro
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
14 oz. Ribeye - Pecorino Risotto, Sautéed Red Onions, Toasted Almonds, Grilled Heirloom Tomatoes, Kale Salad Tossed with a Blackberry Shrub Syrup $45
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Weekend Cocktail
The Gloria Negroni - Campari, Contratto Vermouth Bianco, Bombay Sapphire Distilled London Dry Gin, Cointreau
Live Music for September
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday
9/27 Cali Shaw
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
9/22 Lani Nash
9/28 Justin Nuñez
9/29 Matt Jones
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
9/22 RJ Perez
9/28 Shane Wallin
9/29 Cali Shaw
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
