M'tucci's 2023, Pt 1

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We had quite a year in 2023. Not opening a new M’tucci’s (and don’t expect #5 anytime soon), allowed us to focus on some new community programs, to host several creative pairing dinners and to add new menu items during the first half of 2023. Company Chef Shawn Cronin worked with the Executive Chefs, Cory Gray @ M’tucci’s Italian, Jorge Monterrosa @ M’tucci’s Moderno, Damien Lucero @ M’tucci’s Bar Roma, John Eidson @ M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and Executive Pastry Chef Brianna Dennis to create some memorable multi-course pairing dinners.

First up was a Wine Pairing Dinner at M’tucci’s Bar Roma in January. The Italian Wine Dinner was so popular that the entire dining room was dedicated to the five-course dinner.

Chefs Cory and Jorge at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Moderno added dishes featuring fresh Totten Inlet Mussels from Washington to their menus, which are wildly popular. I highly recommend both, but I order the Saffron Mussels appetizer regularly.

While we have good relationships with several local breweries and wineries, our relationships with Steel Bender and Sheehan are really special. Steel Bender uses our M’tucci’s Maker’s Mark barrels, after our Special Select bourbon is bottled, to age Amelia, an Belgian Quad. Amelia is now on top at M’tucci’s Bar Roma and M’tucci’s Moderno and in bottles at Teddy Roe’s. It will be added soon at our other locations.

In March they created a special wheat beer for Teddy Roe’s called Policy Wheat. Stay tuned for the next collaboration with Steel Bender, coming in Febraury. (Hint: think Juicy)

Sheehan plays a big role in our Private Label wine program, helping with blending, bottling and labeling our wines. Our Pairing Dinner at M’tucci’s Moderno was a huge success, with creative dishes and an opportunity for many to sample some impressive wines, made exclusively with New Mexico grapes.

In our continuing efforts to make a difference in New Mexico education, we started a series of cooking lectures and demonstrations with the culinary program at Rio Rancho High School. Robin Dibble, Operating Partner/GM at M’tucci’s Moderno and several of our chefs worked with the students once a month. Company Chef Shawn Cronin shows the students how to make mozzarella in the following photos

One of the largest and most ambitious Pairing Dinners in the first half of 2023 was the Whiskey Pairing Dinner at M’tucci’s Bar Roma. Guests occupied the entire dining area in the bar to enjoy a creative dinner paired with top shelf whiskeys from Jeffersons and Rabbit Hole.

We will have specials menus for Valentine’s Day in February. Watch La Gazzetta and our Facebook pages for those menus and for news of the next Pairing Dinner in March.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Red Chile/Ricotta Filling - Cotto Ham, Red Onions, Asparagus, Gorgonzola Thyme Cream Sauce, Pecorino, Parsley $25

8 oz. Beef Tenderloin - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $33

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

Herb-Braised Beef Cheeks - Black Truffle Gnocchi, Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Kale, Parsley $27

Weekend Cocktail

Cherry Mirage - Tito’s Vodka, Cacao Liqueur, Maraschino, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup


M’tucci’s Moderno

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

Pan-Seared Chilean Sea Bass - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $39

Crispy Chicken Confit - Mushroom/Celery/Carrot Risotto, Creamy Mushroom Sauce $23

Weekend Cocktail

Reggae Rum Punch - Vara Añejo Ru, Fresh Orange, Pineapple & Lime Juices, Torani Strawberry Syrup

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Frutti di Mare - Baby Clams, Bay scallops, Shrimp, Whole Clams, Spicy Marinara, Basil, Shaven Parmesan, Lemon Zest $23

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

24 oz Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43

Weekend Cocktail

The Final Countdown - Woodford Rye, Frangelico, Aztec Chocolate Bitters, Simple Syrup

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Braised Beef Short Rib Bianco - Black Truffle Smoked Gouda Potato Au Gratin, Citrus Rosemary Cream Braised Beef Short Ribs, Seared Purple Kale with Amaro Roasted Apple Slaw, Garnished with Fresh Herbs and Pecorino $31

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29

Weekend Cocktail

Gin Blossom - Bulldog London Dry Gin, Meletti Amaro, Blueberry Hibiscus Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup

Live Music for January, February & March

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

Every Sunday: The Dee Brown Situation

1/17 Lani Nash

1/24 RJ Perez 

1/31 Gilbert Uribe

2/7 Shane Wallin

2/14 Gilbert Uribe 

2/21 Lani Nash

2/28 Javier Ortega 

3/6 Shane Wallin 

3/13 Kirk Matthews 

3/20 Gilbert Uribe 

3/27 Lani Nash 

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

1/12 Javier Ortega 

1/18 Gilbert Uribe

1/19 Grace Marks 

1/25 RJ Perez 

1/26 Lani Nash

2/1 Oscar Butler 

2/2 Cali Shaw 

2/8 Matt Jones 

2/9 Eryn Bent 

2/15 Shane Wallin 

2/16 Lani Nash 

2/22 Gilbert Uribe 

2/23 Alex Maryol 

2/29 Johnny Lloyd 

3/1 Lani Nash 

3/7 Gilbert Uribe 

3/8 RJ Perez 

3/14 Kirk Matthews 

3/15 Cali Shaw

3/21 Oscar Butler 

3/22 Alex Maryol 

3/28 Shane Wallin 

3/29 Grace Marks

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

1/12 RJ Perez 

1/18 Oscar Butler 

1/19 Eryn Bent

1/25 Cali Shaw

1/26 Grace Marks

2/1 RJ Perez 

2/2 Gilbert Uribe 

2/8 Alex Maryol 

2/9 Grace Marks 

2/15 Cali Shaw 

2/16 Javier Ortega 

2/22 Oscar Butler 

2/23 RJ Perez 

2/29 Shane Wallin 

3/1 Matt Jones 

3/7 Johnny Lloyd 

3/8 Alex Maryol 

3/14 Shane Wallin 

3/15 Kirk Matthews 

3/21 RJ Perez 

3/22 Javier Ortega 

3/28 Eryn Bent 

3/29 Gilbert Uribe 

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!