A Look Back, Pt 1

M’tucci’s experienced many high points in 2024, however we dealt with one incredible loss.

We kicked off 2024 with a holiday party for our staff during the first week of January. More than 300 of us enjoyed the new Teddy Roe’s IPA by Steel Bender Brewyard (some a little too much); we had lots of laughs at the photo book and recognized the MVPs among our four locations. We’ll do it again this year, so all locations will be closed on Monday, January 6.

In early February, it was announced that M’tucci’s was the recipient (for a medium-sized business) of the Annual CNM Best Ethics in Business Award.

As defined by CNM, “Established in 2000 by Samaritan Counseling Center and proudly presented by CNM since 2018, the annual New Mexico Ethics in Business Awards program honors companies, both for-profit and not-for-profit, and individuals in New Mexico that demonstrate a strong commitment to the highest level of ethical practices in daily operations, management, and personal philosophies, and in their response to crises and challenges. Nominations are reviewed and vetted by volunteers, and finalists are then evaluated by CNM business students.”

Then on February 20th, the M’tucci’s family was stunned by the death of our founder and patriarch, Jeff Spiegel. He had waged a successful battle against leukemia for more than six years, until it came back and took him from us. While he set M’tucci’s up to continue and succeed without him, his absence left a big hole in our hearts and minds.

"Jeff was the greatest business partner, mentor, leader, and close friend you’d ever want.  You could live a whole life and not meet another person who believed in people more than Jeff did.  The lessons and values he passed on have forever changed who I am.  He truly made a lifelong impact on so many around him.  The gratitude I have for what we created and the family that has resulted from it can never really be put into words.  Love You El Jefe!” - Company President John Haas

“The thing about Jeff is that everyone knew he was the hardest-working, most committed person on the planet. For me the thing that stood out most when I first met him, is the person that everyone saw in public, was the same person behind closed doors in a business meeting. I've met plenty of people that can put on a face for the public and then as soon as it's down to business they change. Jeff was always Jeff, we could be talking about opening a restaurant, about closing them down due to a pandemic, or seeing him at his daughters wedding. He was always the same person that loved life, menudo, people and helping people become the best version of themselves. I will forever be indebted for the lessons he taught.” - Company Chef Shawn Cronin

“People never forgot Jeff, and it wasn’t because he was some nice guy who came up to their table. He told me on numerous occasions that in the end, we weren’t doing this to ingratiate ourselves, we weren’t here to become friends. We were doing this restaurant thing because restaurants were the last bastion of hope for humanity; communal gathering spaces where people came to connect, bond, and get their faces out of their phones.” - Minister of Culture Howie Kaibel

“Jeff was an incredible man and mentor. He changed my life when he hired me to work for his company. I was just out of school and I was trying to figure out what I wanted to do in life. I finally decided I would move to Florida and join a graduate program there for hospitality. When Jeff found out he marched up to me, looked me in the eyes and said/shouted "You're not going to graduate school, I can teach you everything you need to know if you just work for me!" After that I was hooked and have learned probably 100 more things than I could have even dreamed of in Florida. His kindness and compassion is something that can never be duplicated, but I think of it everyday. Even now that he has passed, he still motivates me to be a better person and business owner and I will never forget him or the many lessons he taught me. I love you Jeff!!” - Amanda Cronin, Partner/GM M’tucci’s Bar Roma 

To provide options for our growing group of guests, Late night Happy Menus were introduced in March, with reduced prices on drinks and appetizers in the bar from 8:00 until close, Monday - Friday.

The first pairing dinner of the year was held at M’tucci’s Moderno in March with a six-course dinner that celebrated the wines of New Mexico’s best producers: Sheehan, Gruet, Vara and Lescombes.

In June, M’tucci’s Italian hosted a six-course dinner featuring cocktails with Basil Hayden Rye and Bourbon.

There will be four Pairing Dinners in 2025, with the first one taking place at M’tucci’s Bar Roma in March. Watch this space and social media for details.

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Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Lobster & Mascarpone Ravioli - Shrimp, Oyster Mushrooms, Capers, Fresh Tomatoes, Spinach, Lemon Cream Sauce $29

8 oz. Picaña - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43

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

Blackberry Shrub/Porcini Braised Sackett Farms Pork Belly - Salt Water Potatoes, Arugula, Caramelized Onions $25

Weekend Cocktail

Berry Good New Year - Absolut Vanilla Vodka, Vanilla Simple Syrup, Half & Half, Muddled Strawberries

M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz. Ribeye - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $43

Pan-Seared Scallops - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $37

Lamb Ragù & Rigatoni - Cherry Walnut Gremolata $21

Weekend Cocktail

Coconut Countdown - Absolut Vanilla, Coconut, FreshLemon Juice, Mint

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Chicken Saltimbocca - Prosciutto and Sage Wrapped Chicken, Cacio e Pepe Risotto, Grilled Asparagus, Spinach, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $22

Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Zucchini, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $37

8 oz. Picaña - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $33

Weekend Cocktail

Plum New-Groni - Cappeletti Aperitivo, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Averell Damson Gin Liqueur, Applewood Smoked

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Pan-Seared Monkfish - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula with Garlic, Seared Stem-on Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $35

Chipotle Chicken Ravioli - Five Cheese Ravioli, Sautéed Mushrooms & Red Onions, Braised Chicken Thigh, Chipotle Cream Sauce $24

Weekend Cocktail

New Year’s Repolution - El Tesoro Tequila, Orange Liqueur, Blood Orange Syrup, Fresh Lime Juice

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Live Music for January

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

1/5 Chris Dracup 

1/8 Shane Wallin

1/12 Robb Janov

1/15 Myles Chavez

1/19 Cali Shaw

1/22 Chris Dracup 

1/26 RJ Perez 

1/29 Michael Rascon 

2/2 Chris Dracup

2/5 Shane Wallin

2/9 Gilbert Uribe

2/12 Cali Shaw

2/16 Michael Rascon 

2/19 Ceekay Jones

2/23 RJ Perez 

2/26 Robb Janov       

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

1/2 Mya Gutierrez 

1/3 Myles Chavez

1/9 Shane Wallin

1/10 Michael Rascon 

1/16 Chris Dracup

1/17 RJ Perez 

1/23 Matt Jones 

1/24 Mya Gutierrez 

1/30 TBD

1/31 Cali Shaw

2/6 Shane Wallin

2/7 Gilbert Uribe 

2/13 RJ Perez 

2/14 Robb Janov

2/20 Ceekay Jones

2/21 Cali Shaw

2/27 Mya Gutierrez 

2/28 Michael Rascon 

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

1/2 RJ Perez 

1/3 Robb Janov

1/9 Cali Shaw

1/10 Alex Maryol

1/16 Shane Wallin

1/17 Gilbert Uribe

1/23 TBD 

1/24 Matt Jones

1/30 Myles Chavez

1/31 Chris Dracup 

2/6 Cali Shaw

2/7 Michael Rascon 

2/13 Chris Dracup

2/14 TBD

2/20 Shane Wallin

2/21 Matt Jones

2/27 Gilbert Uribe 

2/28 RJ Perez 

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Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!