Northern Italian Pairing Dinner
/The last pairing dinner of 2024 features wine, cocktails and food inspired by the northern Italian region of Trentino-Alto Adige. It will be at 6:30 on December 12th at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five.
This mostly mountainous region is dominated by the Dolomites, with grassy valleys parted by mountain streams and rivers. Nestled against the borders of Switzerland and Austria, this region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for more than 100 years. The northern province of Bolzano trends more German and the southern province of Trento is more Italian.
Many of the menus and signs in this region are in Italian and German with foods that include speck (smoked prosciutto) and canederli/knödel, bread dumplings often flavored with speck or cheese and served in a broth. The annual Speckfest is held in Bolzano every May, celebrating the many uses of speck: wrapped around a trout and baked, on sandwiches with hard-boiled eggs or served with wild porcinis from the forests. Asiago cheese, rye bread and white asparagus are also prominent products of the region. Some of Europe’s largest apple orchards are found in the region, which will be reflected in the pairing dinner dessert.
distinct tyrolean architecture in the Dolomites in Trentino-Alto Adige
The vineyards in Trentino-Alto Adige are known for Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio on the white wine side. Three indigenous red grape varieties gaining popularity are schiava, teroldego and lagrein.
M’tucci’s was fortunate to have recently sourced a new Private Label wine made from 100% Teroldego from California. Packed with fresh and jammy fruit, the higher acid and smooth tannins work cohesively to create a well-structured, fuller bodied wine, which will pair perfectly with Roasted Leg of Lamb.
Pairing with our Guanciale-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin is the 2023 Lagrein from Elena Walch, one of the top wineries in the region. The 2023 Elena Walch Lagrein DOC received a 90 rating from Wine Spectator, which called it a: “well-balanced, medium-bodied red, which marries fine, taut tannins and plum skin acidity with a core of dark (raspberry and boysenberry) fruit.”
The Cantina Tramin Pinot Noir is paired with our Canederli in a Wild Mushroom Brodo. Its seducing scent recalls forest fruits, plums, raspberries and cherries. It is velvety soft and a fresh acidity on the palate is framed by fine-grained tannins and a slight hint of floral notes.
“When we started talking about the last pairing dinner of the year, we knew it had to be unique. Luckily the timing worked out and when we tried the Teroldego wine, we knew we had to highlight this melting pot of Italy. Selfishly, I was very excited to do this region as they have a lot of German influence and I grew up having a lot of German food,” said Company Chef Shawn Cronin.
“Alto Adige was fun to highlight as there are a lot of rich, hearty dishes due to it being in the mountainous part of Italy. Being sandwiched between Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, it provided a whole new way to look at what Italian food really is,” he added.
NEXT WEEK: Read about the cocktails created for this dinner.
Thanksgiving Pies
Vanilla Pumpkin Swirl Cheesecake
topped with Vanilla Chantilly and Pumpkin Seed Brittle- $35
Lavazza Black Bottom Pie $19
Old Forester Bourbon Pecan Pie $21
Order in person or call the M’tucci’s restaurant closest to you by November 23. This is the last day to order, no exceptions. Pick up your pies on Tuesday or Wednesday, 11/26 or 27. We remind you that we are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
M’tucci’s Italian: 505-503-7327
M’tucci’s Moderno: 505-891-2432
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five: 505-554-2660
M’tucci’s Bar Roma: 505-508-3948
Martinis That Matter!
Tito’s Handmade Vodka & M’tucci’s
Beginning today, November 15, for every cocktail we make with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, they will donate $1 to the Roadrunner Food Bank. The donation period is from 11/15 - 12/31. Cheers!!
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Five Cheese Ravioli - Spanish Chorizo, Blue Oyster Mushrooms, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Red Onions, Roasted Poblanos, Smoked Gouda Cream Sauce, Tomato Leaf $25
24 oz. T-Bone - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $42
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $33
Sackett Farms Pork Shoulder - New Mexico Red Chile Braised, Calabacitas, Roasted Corn, Caramelized Onions, Feta, Parsley $25
Weekend Cocktail
A Monk’s Fall - Campari, Green Chartreuse, Fresh Lime Juice, Honey Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz. Porterhouse - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $32
Shrimp Diavola - Shrimp, Spicy Marinara, House Made Spaghettini
Weekend Cocktail
Apple of My Pie - Capt. Morgan Spiced Rum, Grand Marnier, Fresh Lemon Juice, Cinnamon Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Smoked Gouda Tortelloni - Smoked Tucumcari Gouda, Shrimp, Prosciutto, Marinated Tomatoes, Green Chile Alfredo, Tortelloni, Scallions $26
Pan-Seared Artic Char - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
24 oz. Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43
Weekend Cocktail
Mijenta - Mijenta Tequila, Cointreau, Fresh Lemon Juice, Agave Simple Syrup, Orange Bitters
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Skirt Steak - Roasted Potatoes, Onions and Arugula, Roasted Corn & Tomato Agridolce $31
Weekend Cocktail
Apfel of my Eye - Apfel Liqueur, American Honey Whiskey, Fresh Lemon Juice, Caramel
Live Music for November & December
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday & Noon Sunday
11/17 Robb Janov
11/20 Cali Shaw
11/24 Shane Wallin
11/27 Myles Chavez
12/1 Michael Rascon
12/4 Shane Wallin
12/8 Lani Nash
12/11 Robb Janov
12/15 Cali Shaw
12/18 Javier Ortega
12/22 Shane Wallin
12/29 RJ Perez
M’tucci’s Moderno - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
11/15 Michael Rascon
11/21 RJ Perez
11/22 Myles Chavez
11/29 Rob Janov
12/5 Jacob Chavez
12/6 Chris Dracup
12/12 RJ Perez
12/13 Michael Rascon
12/19 Shane Wallin
12/20 Robb Janov
12/26 Gilbert Uribe
12/27 Cali Shaw
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - 6:30 Thursday & 7:30 Friday
11/15 Rob Janov
11/21 Micheal Rascon
11/22 Cali Shaw
11/29 Matt Jones
12/5 Mya Gutierrez
12/6 RJ Perez
12/12 Shane Wallin
12/13 Robb Janov
12/19 Cali Shaw
12/20 Gilbert Uribe
12/26 Myles Chavez
12/27 Michael Rascon
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
