Time for Prosecco!

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While I think any day is a good day for a sparkling beverage like prosecco, the holidays are definitely the perfect time to open a bottle of bubbly on a regular basis. Italians don’t need a special occasion to enjoy prosecco, their famous sparkling wine, and neither should we. It’s consumed regularly at bars, cafes, and restaurants, especially in the Veneto, where prosecco is produced.

After the end of our stay in Venice last September, we ventured into the edge of the Dolomite mountains for lunch, since none of us had seen the mighty Dolomites. The area around Agordino felt more like Germany or Austria, with Tyrolean architecture everywhere.

We spent two days at an agriturismo outside of Valdobbiadene, one of the top regions for DOCG prosecco. Due Carpini has a few rooms in two houses and is surrounded by vineyards growing glera grapes, the primary grape for prosecco.

Prosecco is produced in a large area of the Veneto and Friuli in northeastern Italy, but only a few small areas have received the Italian government’s DOCG designation, which represent the highest quality and standards for any Italian wine.

This is from the website of a winemaker in Asolo:

Consumers in Italy and the United States are still often confused by the differences between Prosecco DOCG and Prosecco DOC.

It was back in 2009 when the Prosecco DOCG was officially recognized by the Italian government’s agricultural ministry and the National Committee for Italian Wines (which regulates the DOCG and DOC systems).

With the creation of the new designation (DOCG means designation of controlled and guaranteed origin while DOC stands simply for designation of controlled origin, without the guarantee), the production area for top Prosecco was limited to the provinces of Valdobbiadene (the most famous), Conegliano (the historic center for Prosecco production, which stretches back to the 1700s), and Asolo (the least known of the top townships for Prosecco production, where Bele Casel grows its wines).

To add the “guaranteed” to the labeling, the grapes used to make the wine must be grown in one of those townships.

The DOC, on the other hand, was expanded to included a wider swath of the Veneto region and it also included Friuli-Venezia Giulia (known simply as Friuli), where Prosecco and vinified has been grown for some time now.

The bottom line is the following: Prosecco grown in Asolo, Valdobbiadene, and Conegliano is hillside Prosecco while the Prosecco grown in the greater Veneto and Friuli is valley-floor Prosecco. The hillside Prosecco has to be hand-farmed because the slopes of the hills in those township are famously steep. Valley-floor Prosecco is generally machine farmed.

There are more than 20 growers around Valdobbiadene, but since we weren’t going to bring prosecco home, we didn’t visit them and do any tastings. Instead, we spent our days walking and driving around the vineyards, drinking prosecco by the pool and enjoying a wonderful trattoria in town. Our dinner, with prosecco of course, was so good at Ombra Longa. While there, a server walked by with a large platter of seafood. When we asked about it, she replied it was their version of Spanish paella and that it had to be ordered 24 hours in advance. So we did. The perfect dinner with prosecco, of course!

ABQ the Mag - Best of City

Best Italian - Five Years in a Row!

Around The World Dinner at Teddy Roe’s

12/28/23

New Year’s Eve at M’tucci’s

Holiday Cookie Box - $19

Please call the restaurant closest to you.

Pumpkin Roll with Cream Cheese Frosting, Biscochitos, Dark Chocolate Cookies, Mini Olive Oil Loaf

Some of the New Menu Items at M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Morbier/Ricotta Filling - M’tucci’s Italian Sausage, Mushrooms, Red Onions, Spicy Tomato Cream Sauce, Shaved Parmesan & Fresh Basil $25

24 oz. T-Bone - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $42

Pan-Seared Ahi Tuna - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $27

Sackett Farms Pork Shoulder - Tomatillo Braise, Calabacitas, Caramelized Onions, Corn, Crushed Tomatoes, Feta, Parsley $27

Weekend Cocktail

Dirty Snowman - Bacardi Rum, Green Chartreuse, Cream, Coconut, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Muddled Mint


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz. NY Strip - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Italian Salsa Verde $37

Pan-Seared Striped Sea Bass - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Roasted Artichoke, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29

Chicken Portobello - Roasted Portobellos, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Julienned Spinach, Roasted Garlic Demi-Glace, House Made Spaghettini $23

Weekend Cocktail

Christmas Chai Cheer - Vara Brandy, Espresso, Chai Tea, Simple Syrup, Orange/Vanilla Whipped Cream

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Chicken Caprese - Seared Garlic & Herb Chicken Breast, Marinated Tomatoes, Fresh Mozzarella, House Made Linguine, Tomato Cream Sauce, Garnish with Fresh Basil, Maldon Salt & Balsamic Reduction $25

Pan-Seared Alaskan Halibut - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $39

14 oz Ribeye - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Creamy Horseradish Remoulade $43

Weekend Cocktail

Smooth Talker - Frangelico, Giffard Banane du Bresil, Licor 43, Tito’s Vodka

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Ravioli di Mare - House Made Five Cheese Ravioli, Shrimp, Portuguese Susage, Clams, Spicy Marinara $27

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Capers, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33

Weekend Cocktail

Royal Burro - M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado, Angostura Amaro, Giffard Violette, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup

Live Music for December

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

Every Sunday: The Dee Brown Situation

12/20 Gilbert Uribe

12/27 RJ Perez 

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

12/15 Matt Jones

12/21 Javier Ortega 

12/22 Cali Shaw

12/28 Rj Perez 

12/29 Shane Wallin

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

12/15 Gilbert Uribe 

12/21 Johnny Lloyd 

12/22 Oscar Butler 

12/28 Shane Wallin 

12/29 Matt Jones

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

Prosecco

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Warmer weather and outside dining mean that it’s time for prosecco - sparkling Italian sunshine in a glass. Compared to Champagne and to California’s well-known sparkling wines, prosecco is a relative newcomer to the U.S., becoming popular around 2000. I recall having a glass on my first trip to Venice in 1994, then returning home to find it unavailable in wine shops.

Prosecco has been made in the Northeast region of Italy since the 16th Century, predominantly from the glera grape. DOC and DOCG designations allow a 15% blending of other grapes including Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or Pinot Noir. The valley surrounding the town of Prosecco was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019. The prosecco from the valleys of Valdobbiadene and Conegliano have received DOCG status, the highest status in the Italian wine world.

In addition to the attractive, crisp flavors of apple and peach, prosecco is popular because of the price. This is mostly due to the method of production. Instead of using the methode champenoise, when the second fermentation is in the bottle, prosecco uses the charmat method with the second fermentation taking place in large steel tanks. Consequently the wine is less expensive to produce.

Prosecco is an excellent aperitif and is used in a variety of popular cocktails, such as the Bellini (ideally made with fresh peach puree), Aperol Sprtiz, and (one of my favorites), the Negroni Sbagliato. The Negroni Sbagliato is a variation on the Americano (Campari, Sweet Vermouth and soda) substituting prosecco for the club soda. Try all three at all M’tucci’s locations.

M’tucci’s Sparkling wine is a collaboration between M’tucci’s and award-winning winemaker Gruet. The aim was to create a sparkling wine that was closer to a prosecco than the Champagne style for which Gruet is well-known. It’s terrific as an aperitif or in a summery Aperol Spritz.

At M’tucci’s Italian Arcy makes the classic French 75 with Gin, Fresh Lemon Juice and Ruffino Prosecco. Another great way to begin your meal!

M’tucci’s to Collect Food for NE New Mexico Fire Victims

Beginning Monday, May 23, all M’tucci’s location will have boxes for food donations for New Mexico fire victims. All collected items will be delivered to The Food Depot, who will handle the distribution. Here is what they request as the most needed items:

Beef jerky

Bottled water of any amount

Gatorade

individually wrapped, non-perishable snacks

Chapstick

Eyedrops

Socks

Sunblock

Hygiene products including but not limited to: baby wipes, Q-tips, women’s menstrual products, soap, toothpaste

Guests who donate can tell their server they've donated to receive $5.00 off their dining check. We hope this drive will only run two weeks, because we hope the need won’t extend beyond that. However, if the need is there we will extend our collections based on the wildfire situation throughout the state. So bring some stuff so we can fill multiple boxes!

Looking for a Career?

We are hiring for most positions at all locations. Are you ready for a career? We have a few management positions available. Join a company that believes in promoting from within, creating opportunities for our team members and offering a four-day work week for managers in the kitchen or front of the house.

Click here to read about team members who started as servers, bartenders or pizza makers and who are now managers and partners. You can complete a brief online application.

Chad, Michelle, General Manager Amanda, Audrey & Jessica are the FOH managers at M’tucci’s Bar Roma.

Taste of Nob Hill

As the newest members of the Nob Hill District, M’tucci’s Bar Roma will participate in the event held on Saturday (5/21) from Noon - 3:00 on Silver between Tulane and Amherst. We will feature Meatballs with marinara, Caprese Shooters and our famous Lemon Ricotta Cookies. Come out and experience the wide variety of what Nob Hill has to offer. Some of the other participants include: Chocolate Dude, Olo Dessert Studio, Soo Bak Seoul Bowl, Two Fools Tavern, Flying Star Cafe, Slice Parlor, Tractor Brewing Co., Ajiaco Colombian Bistro, Scalo, Lizard Tail Brewing, Little Bear Coffee Co., Cinnamon Sugar & Spice Café and Gather/3128 Social House. There will be live music as well. Entrance fee is $15 in advance or $20 at the gate, which gives you 15 tickets to redeem for food and drink. Get your tickets online by clicking here.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Mushroom Ricotta Filling, Crispy Duck Prosciutto, Capers, Artichoke, Sun Dried Tomato, Red Onion, Fennel, White Wine Butter Sauce $27

24 oz Hand Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $37

Pan-Seared Yellowtail: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $27

Braise - Sackett Farms Red Chile Braised Pork Shoulder - Calabacitas, Roasted Corn, Red Onion, Red Chile Braising Sauce, Corn Shoots & Tucumcari Feta $23

Weekend Cocktail

California Dreaming - Calirosa Rosé Tequila, House Made Rose Bud & Spiced Syrup, Fresh Lemon Juice, House Bitters and Egg White


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz. NY Strip - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $36

Pan-Seared Baqueta Sea Bass - Roasted Artichoke, Sautéed Organic Arugula, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $36

Beef Tip Tortelloni, Grape Tomatoes, Cajun Seasoning, Rosa Sauce and Gorgonzola Cheese $21

Appetizer: Fried Oysters with Garlic Aioli

Weekend Cocktail

8 Foot Punch - Hollow Spirits BA Rum, Myer’s Rum, Turani Cherry, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

6 oz. Filet Mignon - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $35

Pan-Seared Artic Char - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $27

Pork Shank Ragu - Slow cooked Sackett Farms Pork Shank, Gigante Beans, Calabrian Chiles, with Pappardelle Pasta, Shaved Parmesan and Smoked Sage Oil $24

Weekend Cocktail

May-ngocita - Espolon Blanco Tequila, Ginger Liquid Alchemist, Mango Purée, Tamarindo Agua Fresca with a Chimoy & Tajin Rim

Live Music for May at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five and M’tucci’s Moderno

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:00

M’tucci’s Italian has soft cello or violin dinner music every Thursday night beginning at 6:00.

Next week’s La Gazzetta will have the music schedule for June, including Wednesdays and Sundays at M’tucci’s Bar Roma.


MODERNO

5/20 RJ Perez

5/26 Oscar Butler

5/27 Kirk Matthews



TWENTY-FIVE

5/26 Alex Maryol

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!