Roman Pasta

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At M’tucci’s Bar Roma there is a section on the menu called Roman Classics. These dishes were inspired by our visit to the Eternal City a few years ago, before we opened on Historic Route 66. Executive Chef Damien Lucero took some of the classic dishes of Rome and put the M’tucci’s spin on them.

Three of the iconic pastas of Rome have their differences, but the use of Pecorino Romano sheep’s milk cheese is the common denominator. Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana are the holy trinity of Roman pasta dishes on restaurant menus. Quite often, U.S. versions take liberties with the recipes, using bacon instead of guanciale (cured pork cheeks) or even Parmesan!! That will not happen in Rome.

Carbonara is traditionally made with Spaghetti, crispy pork (guanciale) and a blend of lightly cooked egg and cheese. M’tucci’s Twenty-Five makes an amazing version with Capicola (Applewood Smoked Pork Shoulder) and Prosciutto. Italians consider it to be one of the most popular pasta dishes in Italy, after Tagliatelle Bolognese.

Chef Damien takes Carbonara one step further and makes Linguine alla Gricia, which uses braised Pork Belly and an egg yolk to create a supremely rich dish with layers of flavor.

Cacio e Pepe is a deceptively simple dish, with only three ingredients: pasta (with some pasta water), cheese (Pecorino), and fresh cracked black pepper. However, it’s probably the one dish that most confounds home cooks who can end up with rubbery, chunks of cheese instead of a silky sauce that clings to the pasta (me included). All three of our restaurants serve this dish with our eggplant parmesan, except M’tucci’s Moderno puts a little twist on it and calls it Cacio e Pesto.

While Amatriciana is the only red pasta of the three, it is popular throughout Italy. It originated in the town of Amatrice, which is northwest of Rome in the mountains. An ancient city with Roman ruins, it was devastated by an earthquake in 2016, which killed nearly 300 people and destroying 75% of the buildings in town.

While many Italian sauces are harmonious, this is one sauce that has contrasts with the saltiness and richness of the pork, the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the zing of the red pepper flakes. The Italians are very passionate and rigid when it comes to the ingredients in this dish. A little wine is OK, Onions are OK, too, but never garlic. A few years ago, a celebrated Italian chef suggested on a television program that you could add garlic to Amatriciana. The country’s largest newspaper La Repubblica published an article the next day denouncing the chef.

In rome, (top to bottom): Carbonara, Gricia & Amatriciana

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Parsnip Ricotta Filling, Mushrooms, Chicken, Speck Roasted Poblano Smoked Gouda Cream Sauce, Pecorino, Pickled Red Onions $27

24 oz. Porterhouse - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $43

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

Braise - Herb Braised Sackett Farms Pork Shank, Mirepoix Lentil Soup, Spinach $29

Weekend Cocktail

Pink Oasis - Tito’s Vodka, St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Kiwi Blueberry Simple Syrup, Lime Juice


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz Hand Cut NY Strip - 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

Sackett Farms Pork Tenderloin - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Dijon Lemon Butter Sauce $23

Weekend Cocktail

Violet Flower - St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Beefeater Gin, Muddled Blackberries, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Shrimp Risotto - Shrimp, Roasted Fennel, Mushrooms, Red Pepper Fennel Cream Sauce $24

Pan-Seared Swordfish - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33

24 oz. T-Bone - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Compound Butter $42

Weekend Cocktail

Buffalo Thunder - Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Ginger Syrup, Pineapple Juice, Lemon Juice

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

6 oz. Beef Tenderloin - Polenta & Summer Squash Croquettes, Sautéed Sugar Snap Peas, Red Onions, Mushrooms, Colonnata Butter Béarnaise Sauce $31

Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $25

Weekend Cocktail

Peachy Tean - Old Forester Infused With Peach Tea, Contratto Infused With Mint Tea, Simple Syrup

Live Music for August

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - 6:30pm Wednesday

8/16 Justin Nuñez 

8/23 Shane Wallin 

8/30: Chessa Peake

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

8/11 RJ Perez 

8/17 Matt Jones

8/18 Melissa Rios

8/24: Chessa Peake

8/25 Lani Nash

8/31 Eryn Bent

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

8/11 Johnny Lloyd

8/17 Shane Wallin 

8/18 Hilda Kirschner

8/24 Gilbert Uribe

8/25: Chessa Peake

8/31 Matt Jones

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

Let's Go to Italy

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If you are a regular reader of La Gazzetta, you know that the M’tucci’s team has made a couple of trips to Italy to eat, drink and soak in the atmosphere of the country that inspires us. You would also know that before M’tucci’s, I worked as a travel photographer and shot assignments for National Geographic. Italy was not one of my assignments for Nat Geo, but I visited several times before joining the M’tucci’s family.

I received an email the other day from MilleMiglia, the frequent flyer program for now-defunct Alitalia Airlines. The email invited me to travel soon and to invite family members to join the program. Unfortunately (or not), they declared bankruptcy and ceased operations in October 2021, just two weeks after we flew on the airline from Rome to Sicily. That email is the inspiration for today’s newsletter. First, a few photos to pique your interest in visiting Italy.

I strongly advise you to join your airline’s frequent flyer program and always download the airline’s app. More important than earning miles, you will get notifications when something goes wrong (set up a European plan on your cell phone before you go). For my first and last Alitalia flight, four of us arrived at Fiumicino (FCO) near Rome for our flight to Catania, Sicily with plenty of time to spare. After lunch we made our way to our gate and I received a text five minutes after arriving. Our flight was cancelled. I immediately jogged quite a ways down the concourse to the customer service desk we had just passed, while people stayed at at the gate arguing with the gate agent. I was able to get our party of four booked (confirmed seats - not standby) on the next flight. As I was thanking the agent, the crowds descended on the customer service desk (more yelling and screaming - the cops came and hauled away a women who was trying to strike an agent). Soon there were at least 75 people trying to rebook. They didn’t have the app! I started a conversation with a pilot who was behind me in line and who flew for WizzAir (an Hungarian budget airline). He told me of Alitalia’s financial woes and that they had been cancelling a lot of flights in the past few weeks. So, we decided to not trust our return flight on Alitalia and booked return flights on WizzAir. We absorbed the loss of $39 for each ticket on Alitalia - wonder why they went bankrupt!

If you go in summer, be prepared for crowds and lots of school groups. The last few years have been hotter, so make sure you book a place with A/C. Italy, like France, goes on vacation in August. The entire country doesn’t shut down, but you might find that the restaurant that is high on your list is closed for the entire month. Popular restaurants accept reservations - and you should make them. I was in Rome an additional day after the M’tucci’s team returned home in June of 2019 and I tried to have lunch at Roscioli near Campo di Fiore. At 1:30 they didn’t even have room for a single walk-in at the bar, but could get me in at 3:00. That evening? Fully booked.

Roscioli

Are you renting an Airbnb with a kitchen, planning to take advantage of the amazing markets? Pack a foldable shopping bag, because the plastic bag is rapidly disappearing from the markets.

If you will rent a car to visit some of the areas not accessible by Italy’s excellent train system, be prepared to drive. The Italian road system is one huge race track. It is highly unlikely you will encounter any bad drivers, however Italians drive fast in the city, on the autostrada and on winding mountainous roads. If the Formula 1 driver is sitting on your rear bumper and you are driving as fast as that FIAT will go, pull over and let them pass.

Cafe culture is serious in Italy. Like much of Europe, sitting at a table and ordering coffee or wine means you can linger as long as you like. People-watch to your heart’s content. However, cafes have a two-tiered pricing system. A morning cappuccino ordered at the bar is cheaper than a cappuccino at the table and is meant to be consumed at the bar. Buying a cappuccino at the bar and carrying it to a table will earn a stern reprimand from the waiter. Unless you want a tall warm glass of milk, don’t order a latte (it means milk in Italian and is not a coffee beverage).

With an extensive rail system and numerous budget airlines, travel in Europe has never been easier. Scrutinize the budget carriers closely. Some, like Ryanair, land at airports far from the city center. For example, Ryanair’s flights to London use Stanstead Airport, which can’t be reached by Tube, and required a 90-minute bus ride from the center the last time I was there.

Some tour companies in Italy, like Viator, offer airport transport in addition to their excursions. Are they worth it? The Leonardo Express train from FCO to Rome’s Termini station leaves every 15 minutes, takes only 32 minutes and costs 14€. Then you still have to stand in line for a taxi at Termini (I once waited for 35 minutes) and pay the fare to your accommodations, which could add another 10€ or more.

If there are 3, 4 or more of you, a private car will meet you and take you directly to your hotel/Airbnb. Our last trip for 4 people was a little less than $100. If there are more than 3 in your party, (most taxis will only take 3 people, sometimes four max), then you’ll have a spacious van. Remember that check-in at most places is 3:00 and most flights arrive from the U.S. around 8:30 - 10:00am. Be sure to make arrangements for your luggage to be stored at your hotel, or search for businesses who will store them for a few hours. TABAC (look for the sign) shops are similar to a convenience store and many will do this for an hourly price per piece.

If your gateway city is Rome, quite often the flights depart for the U.S. early in the morning, which could mean an early wake up call to arrive at the airport. The airport is named after the town of Fiumicino, which has good hotels less than 10 minutes from the airport. Try the Seccy or the Five-star Hotel QC Terme Roma. Good restaurants are within walking distance of both.

My next trip to Italy is planned for September with family. In addition to Venice and the Dolomites, we wanted to go to Croatia. At first glance, it seemed so easy because the two countries are practically neighbors. Then the research showed that it really isn’t that easy. Buses and trains were painfully slow between Croatia and Italy and flight connections were not always daily or convenient. While Croatia is a popular destination, there are few flights between Italy and Croatia. This was surprising until I discovered that Dubrovnik is a town of 45,000 people. Not exactly an urban air hub. British Airways flies from London, Lufthansa flies from Frankfurt and Munich, and Austrian Airways flies from Vienna. So, I backtracked my research to see how to best get to Dubrovnik, our first stop. Lufthansa and BA were expensive. Austrian Airways seemed like the best choice, but their prices were high, until I started breaking the flights down into segments.

So, we bought a roundtrip from Chicago to Vienna on Austrian Airways, then a one-way to Dubrovnik. Then we take a ferry through the islands from Dubrovnik to Split. Next a one-way flight to Venice (through Vienna). Then a one-way from Venice to Vienna with a few days to eat schnitzel before completing our RT back to Chicago. I tried booking that itinerary as a multi-city fare and it was nearly $2,000 more than booking each leg individually. A valuable site for deciphering a multi-city trip like this is called: Rome2Rio.com

Look forward to reports from Venice and the Dolomites (Valdobbiadenne - the home of Prosecco) this September. I first visited Venice in 1995. Here are few photos from that trip, with a side trip to Burano.

Five Course Wine Dinner with Vara Winery & Distillery

M’tucci’s Italian, Thursday June 8 @ 6:30

Our Pairing Dinner will feature four Vara wines and 2 cocktails made with their spirits. Start the evening off with a welcome glass of their Cava, which is overseen by famed winemaker Laurent Gruet. The 1st course will be a Negroni using Vara Gin and Sweet Vermouth.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Spinach & Ricotta Filling - Mushrooms, Asparagus, Roasted Chicken, Red Pepper Cream Sauce, Pecorino, Micro Greens $25

Herbed Double Bone Elk Chop - Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $39

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

Braise - 14 oz. Herb Braised Beef Short Rib, Tajin Arugula Hash, Chimichurri $29

Weekend Cocktail

Raspberry Fairy - Raspberry Vodka, Grand Marnier, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey Simple Syrup, Absinthe Glass Spray


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz Hand Cut NY Strip - Salt Water Potatoes, Sautéed Broccolini, Salsa Verde $37

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

Lobster Ravioli - Baby Scallops, Shrimp, Asparagus, Lobster Cream Sauce $29

Weekend Cocktail

Sundress Season - Espolon Reposado Tequila, Sunora, 03, Fresh Lime Juice, Mango Coulis

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Lamb Meatballs & Pappardelle - House Made Meatballs, Creamy Tomato Sauce, Cacio e Pepe, Hose Made Pappardelle, Balsamic Reduction & Mint $21

Pan-Seared California Halibut - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce $31

16 oz Hand Cut NY Strip - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Compound Butter $39

Weekend Cocktail

Garden Gimlet - Hapenny Rhubarb Gin, Effen Cucumber Vodka, Muddled Cucumber & Mint, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Fever-Tree Sparkling Grapefruit

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Brisket Ravioli - Five Cheese Stuffing, Braised Brisket, Sautéed Vegetable Medley, Roasted Beef Brodo,  $27

Pan-Seared White Sea Bass - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $32

Weekend Cocktail

Peachy Keen - Aperol, 43 Licor, Deep Eddy Peach, Fresh Lime Juice, M’tucci’s Sparkling Wine

Live Music for May, June & July

M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30 

5/28 Lani Nash

5/31 Shane Wallin 

6/7 RJ Perez 

6/14 Gilbert Uribe

6/21 Justin Nuñez 

6/25 Gilbert Uribe( Only Sunday in June) 

6/28 Shane Wallin

7/5 Shane Wallin

7/12 Delaney Davis (feature)

7/19 Lani Nash

7/26 Shane Wallin

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30 

5/26 Alex Long 

6/1 Eryn Bent 

6/2 Cali Shaw

6/8 Shane Wallin 

6/9 chessa Peak

6/15 RJ Perez 

6/16 Naghan Fox

6/22 Cali Shaw

6/23 Gilbert Uribe

6/29 Amy Faithe

6/30 Alex Long

7/6 RJ Perez 

7/7 Javier Ortega 

7/13 Eryn Bent 

7/14 Delaney Davis (feature)

7/20 Matt Jones

7/21 Alex Long 

7/27 Chessa Peak

7/28 Cali Shaw

M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30

5/26 Marissa Lynch

6/1 Lani Nash

6/2 Nathan Fox 

6/8 Gilbert Uribe 

6/9 Jacob Chavez

6/15 Alex Long

6/16 Chessa Peak

6/22 Eryn Bent

6/23 Cali Shaw

6/29 Lani Nash

6/30 Alex Maryol

7/6 Matt Jones

7/7 Justin Nuñez 

7/13 Delaney Davis ( feature )

7/14 RJ Perez 

7/20 Jacob Chavez

7/21 Matt Jones

7/27 RJ Perez 

7/28 Lani Nash

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

Rome Inspired M'tucci's Bar Roma

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As the opening day for M’tucci’s Bar Roma grows near, let’s revisit how Rome influenced our inspiration for creating a bit of Rome in Albuquerque.

Last September, Company President John Haas, Beverage Director Austin Leard, Company Chef Shawn Cronin and M’tucci’s Bar Roma General Manager Amanda Romero hit the ground running after the 10 hour flight from Dallas to Rome. Lots of meals, beverages, wild scooter rides, and fun were packed into five long days of cafes, street food stops, speakeasies, trattorias, gelato shops, a pasta making class and fine dining restaurants.

On the first day we discovered suppli at a small place called Mami, near Piazza Navona. Similar to the Sicilian snack called arancini, they are a little different and will be on the menu at M’tucci’s Bar Roma as Cacio e Pepe Arancini, creamy risotto that is lightly breaded, fried and topped with Cacio di Roma cheese, cracked pepper and olive oil. Earlier this month, guests at our five-course pairing dinner with La Cumbre Brewing sampled them and loved them.

Chef Damien Lucero, who will head the kitchen staff, was on the Tuscany trip in 2019 and spent hours talking with Shawn after the Rome visit. You will notice a few more Roman-influenced dishes on the menu when it’s released. Two of the dishes served at the La Cumbre dinner were influenced by our trip to Tuscany, but were created primarily because of Chef Damien’s love of pork.

The Amaro-Glazed Sackett Farms Ribs with Italian Olives and Roasted Bell Pepper was one of the most popular dishes at the LCB dinner. An Amaro (a bittersweet Italian liqueur) reduction with star anise and allspice sautéd with Italian olives, red bell and garlic is the glaze for the tender ribs.

Another Italian favorite using Sackett Farms pork is a Porchetta. This traditional Italian street food is found in stalls at markets, where a whole-pig is boned and slow-roasted with herb-spiced paste. Then it’s sliced and served in butcher paper or as a sandwich. Here is how Chef Damien will prepare it at M’tucci’s Bar Roma:

Don’t miss next week’s La Gazzetta when Chef Shawn and Damien talk about how they created the menu at M’tucci’s Bar Roma, which will open on May 4th. The menu will be posted on our website and on our Facebook page within the next week.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli - Pickled Fennel & Ricotta Filling, Sautéed Pink Shrimp, House Capicolla, Sun Dried Tomatoe, Turnip Greens, Spring Onion, Pesto Cream Sauce $29

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

Pan-Seared Barramundi: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $29

Braise - Sackett Farms Red Wine & Porcini Braised Pork Shank, Creamy Mushroom/Spinach Risotto, Red Wine Braising Sauce $27

Weekend Cocktail

Up All Night: Slow & Low Coffee Old Fashioned Whiskey, Campari, Kahlúa, Chocolate bitters, Lemon Twist


M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz. Hand Cut NY Strip- Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $31

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Roasted Artichoke, Sautéed Organic Arugula, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $27

Beef Tip Tortelloni - Beef Tips, Cajun Seasoning, Grape Tomatoes, Green Onions, Gorgonzola, Rosa Sauce $21

Weekend Cocktail

Tesorosso: M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Fresh Lime Juice, Simple Syrup, Tonic Bitters, M’tucci’s Red Wine Float


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Sackett Farms Milk-Braised Pork Shank - Mascarpone Creamy Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Gigante Beans and Carrot Brodo $28

8 oz. Top Sirloin (Picanha) - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $28

Pan-Seared Mexican Fluke - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $29

Weekend Cocktail

Bruja- ha - M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado Tequila, Strega, Pilla Select, Fresh Lime Juice

Live Music for April & 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.


MODERNO

4/22 Kirk Matthews

4/28 Austin Van

4/29 Cali Shaw

5/5 Eryn Bent

5/6 Nathan Fox

5/12 Sloan Armitage

5/13 Lani Nash

5/19 Alex Maryol

5/20 RJ Perez

5/26 Oscar Butler

5/27 Kirk Matthews



TWENTY-FIVE

4/28 Oscar Butler

5/5 Kirk Matthews

5/12 Amy Faithe

5/19 Austin Van

5/26 Alex Maryol

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

M'tucci's in Rome, Last Day

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Our last day of food and wine research for M’tucci’s Bar Roma included discussions with a few prominent bartenders and a pasta making class with one of Rome’s top chefs.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City

The pasta class with Veronica at The Pasta Factory covered the choice of flour, the technique for kneading the dough and the steps to using a pasta machine. The class made three different shapes: ravioli, pappardelle and tonarelli. Simple sauces accompanied the pastas for lunch. Photos and a video of the experience follow.

The last meal was an eight-course tasting menu at Retrobottega, where they pride themselves on sourcing wild foods and herbs. The meal was slightly unusual, creative and cutting-edge, with several memorable dishes among the eight courses. Notably the Sea Snails and the Bone Marrow.

The night ended appropriately at Jerry Thomas Project Speakeasy. While the team returned to New Mexico the next day, I stayed and visited Antinori Winery in Tuscany, Montalcino (the home of Brunello) and Sicily. Look for photos and travel tips in the coming weeks in this space.

M’tucci’s Thanksgiving Pies

Ordering is now through November 19. Pickup on November 23 or 24.

Pumpkin with Pumpkin Seed Brittle & Ginger Vanilla Chantilly Cream - $17

Apple with Toasted Oat Streusel $15

Bourbon Pecan Pie with Vanilla Chantilly Cream $18

The toppings will come packaged separately, so you can add them when you are ready for dessert (or breakfast). Please call the restaurant closest to you to place your order and to arrange a pick up time (online ordering is not available). Add a pint of Salted Caramel Gelato for $7.

Now available to be consumed in all M’tucci’s locations.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli: Pesto Ricotta, Sauteed Pink Shrimp, House Pancetta, Roasted Red Bell Pepper, Asparagus, Carmelized Onion, Fresh Basil Cream Sauce $23

16 oz Hand Cut NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $33

Pan-Seared Barramundi: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29

Braise: Sackett Farm Bone-in Pork Adobo, Creamy Risotto, Carrots, Red Onion, Corn, Spring Pease $25

Weekend Cocktail

Industry Handshake: Fernet Branca, Green Chartreuse, Fresh Lime, Cane Sugar


M’tucci’s Moderno

24 oz T-Bone: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $38

Rockfish: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roast Artichoke, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $21

Pork Shank: Grilled Polenta, Sauteed Spinach, Mirepoix Braised Sauce $28

Weekend Cocktail

The Yohoho: Pyrat Rum, Chai Simple Syrup, Grapefruit Bitters, Bruleed Orange Slice




M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Veal Porterhouse: Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $35

Swordfish: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artichokes, Lemon Butter, Capers $27

Braised Pork Ragu: Carrots, Fresh Herbs, House Pappardelle, Prosciutto Crudo, Shaved Parmesan, Fresh Parsley $21

Weekend Cocktail

Le Marche Smash: Melletti Amaro Based Cocktail with Fresh Orange, Muddled Tarrragon, Dash Overproof Rye Whiskey

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

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30


11/12

Reigna @ Moderno

11/18

Lani Nash @ Moderno

Kirk Matthews @ 25

11/19

Oscar Butler @ Moderno

11/26

Jason Seel @ Moderno

M’tucci’s on Monday - New Mexico Living

Partner Austin Leard was the guest on New Mexico Living on Monday. He talked about the new wines now offered at all M’tucci’s locations. You can watch the segment by clicking here.

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

M'tucci's in Rome, Day 4

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Our Air BnB looked over the Campo di Fiore, one of the oldest outdoor markets in Rome. The market is set up every morning around 6:30 and removed before sundown every day, allowing the restaurants to double their outdoor dining spaces. Vendors in the market sell kitchen tools, clothing, fresh produce and, of course, fresh flowers. It’s surrounded by restaurants and cafes, so it is a popular place for tourists and locals.

It was a great place for a base while visiting Rome: a short walking distance to good restaurants, 10 minutes from Piazza Navona, and 20 minutes walk from either the Vatican or the Coliseum.

Lunch was planned for a successful restaurant that was born in Rome, but now has additional locations in Japan, London, Portugal, New York and in several Italian cities. Obicá closed their Campo di Fiore location during the pandemic, but the original location near Piazza Navona is still going strong. They specialize in sourcing fresh mozzarella, burrata and cured meats from producers throughout Italy. They rely on great ingredients that are prepared simply, which is M’tucci’s philosophy. We highly recommend a meal here.

After a few of us did the Coliseum tour, we walked to a relatively new, hip bar with an Asian theme called, Drink Kong. Creative cocktails and Interesting food combinations, although the chips with ketchup are not recommended!

Hopping on the Lime and/or Bird scooters, we motored down the hill to our chosen restaurant only to find a sign on the door saying they were closed due a positive COVID test within the family. Remembering an interesting looking place that we walked by the day before, M’tucci’s Angels revved up our electric scooters and braved heavy traffic (and sidewalks) to arrive at our dinner spot. Even though DaRoma is close to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, we snagged a table. One of the highlights was oysters from the Adriatic. Luckily, John’s favorite gelato place, 150 Giusti (flavors), just happened to be on our route back to Campo di Fiore.

Our last day in Rome was busy, with a pasta making class for John & Shawn and more cocktail research for Austin and Amanda. We’ll have stories from our last day in two weeks in La Gazzeta.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli: Green Chile/Ricotta, Prosciutto, Shrimp, Spring Onions, Red Bell Pepper Pesto topped with Creamy Mozzarella and Pine Nuts $23

16 oz Hand Cut NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $33

Pan-Seared Striped Bass: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29

Red Wine/Tomato Braised Beef: Mushrooms, Caramelized Onions, Red Bell Peppers, Broccolini over Creamy Polenta $25

Weekend Cocktail

Just for Halloween - The Gravedigger

The Gravedigger: Kahlúa, CB Brandy, Espresso, Vanilla, Heavy Cream, Garnished with Crumbled Chocolate Cookies and Candy Bones

M’tucci’s Moderno

14 oz NY Strip: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $34

Pan-Seared Branzino: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roast Artichoke, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $29

Braised M’tucci’s Artisanal Italian Sausage & Polenta: Creamy Mascarpone Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Caralized Onion, Red Wine Marinara $20

Weekend Cocktail

Pumpkin Pie Martini: Vanilla Vodka, Cream, Whipped Cream & Graham Cracker Crust



M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Hand Cut Bone-In 24 oz. NY Strip Steak: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $35

Pan-Seared Ruby Trout: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artichokes, Lemon Butter, Capers $21

Vitello e Polenta: Grilled Veal Tenderloin, Creamy Mascarpone Polenta, Braised Spinach with Roasted Red Peppers, Served with a Pancetta White Bean Demi

Weekend Cocktail

Spiced Cranberry Mule: Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Cranberry Juice, Liquid Alchemist Spiced Apple Syrup, Gosling’s Ginger Beer,Fresh Lime Juice

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

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30

10/29

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

11/4

Amy Faithe @ 25

Jason Seel @ Moderno

11/5

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

11/11

RJ Perez @ Moderno

Melissa Rios @ 25

11/12

Reigna @ Moderno

11/18

Lani Nash @ Moderno

Kirk Matthews @ 25

11/19

Oscar Butler @ Moderno

11/26

Jason Seel @ Moderno

NM Living - M’tucci’s on Monday

Chef Damian Lucero demonstrated a couple of easy Cicchetti recipes that you can do at home for your holiday party. Click here to see the segment, which airs every other Monday on KRQE at 9:00am.

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

M'tucci's in Rome, Day 3

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Day three began with coffee at a Roman cafe institution, Sant’ Eustachio il Caffe near the Italian Senate building and Piazza Navona. Sant’ Eustachio has been roasting coffee beans with a wood-fired roaster since 1938. Unlike many of the large Italian coffee companies, Sant” Eustachio believes in medium roasts to preserve the flavor of the beans. Like many caff es throughout Italy, a cappuccino is less than 3€, especially if you drink it at the bar. Drinks are slightly higher when you sit at a table and order.

In addition to having a Covid vaccine to enter Italy, you must have a negative test 72 hours before arrival and departure, so the team went to a pharmacy for Antigen tests and then had a tour of the Coliseum scheduled. I was there to document the trip and to take iconic photos of Rome that would hang on the walls of M’tucci’s Bar Roma (scheduled to open in Nob Hill in late 2021 or early 2022).

One of Rome’s iconic structures is the Vittoriano, located on a major street that runs from the Vatican to the Coliseum. It was built to commemorate King Vittorio Emanuele II, who presided over the unification of Italy.

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Meeting John, Austin, Amanda & Shawn after their Coliseum visit, we picked up Lime scooters and headed into Trastavere, a neighborhood that is on the west side of the Tiber River. Our destination was the restaurant Trapizzino that created a distinctly Roman sandwich of the same name. Ten years ago Chef Stefano Callegari, stuffed fresh triangles of bread with different fillings and kept the prices low for a quick and easy lunch. We ordered trapazzini stuffed with tongue in green sauce, eggplant parmesan and chicken cacciatore. There just happened to be a Sicilian gelato shop next door. How convenient!

Afternoon research consisted of Amanda on the phone trying to make a reservation at Jerry Thomas, Rome’s most popular Speakeasy, and John deciding on a restaurant for dinner. Our walk to dinner took us through Trastevere, to the Testaccio neighborhood and Osteria degli Amici. The menu was filled with some of the usual Roman pasta dishes; Amatriciana, Cacio e Pepe & Carbonara, but it also had some interesting combinations that caught John’s attention.

The Fried Mozzarella roll was amazing, as was the Ravioli with Taleggio & Red Wine Sauce. John exclaimed that it was the best example of Roman cooking we had seen.

Amanda’s research and efforts were as successful as John’s and we had 10:30 reservations for the speakeasy Jerry Thomas Project. A small, intimate space (a private club, so smoking is allowed) with creative bartenders and a creative cocktail menu. We spent some time talking with one of the owners, who told us about some of the more innovative things they were doing with Italian spirits and products. Two of the more interesting are a Vermouth made from Barolo wine and a barrel aged Campari.

It was a day filled with great experiences and interesting takes on Roman cuisine and cocktails, which just might appear on the future M’tucci’s Bar Roma menu.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli:Braised Ham & Ricotta/Goat Cheese with Sweet Potatoes, Turnip Greens, Brown Butter Sage Sauce & Shaved Parmesan $23

16 oz Hand Cut NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $31

Pan-Seared Corvina: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $29

Sackett Farms Braised Pork Ribs: Creamy Polenta, Braised Carrots, Celery, Onion and Thyme with a White Wine Braising Sauce

Weekend Cocktail

Smoke Peach Shrub: Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Smoked Peach Shrub, Fresh Lemon Juice, Cane Syrup

M’tucci’s Moderno

6 oz Black Angus Beef Tenderloin: Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $34

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roast Artichoke, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $28

Beef Tortellini: Cajun Beef Tips, Tomatoes, Green Onion in a Rosa Sauce $19

Weekend Cocktail

Fall is Here!: Nonino Aperitivo, Apfel, Apple Brandy, Cinnamon Simple Syrup


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Hand Cut 24 oz. T-Bone Steak: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $34

Pan-Seared Skin on Ruby Trout: Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Grilled Escarole, Seared Artichokes, Lemon Butter, Capers $2

Atlantic Salmon Manicotti: with a Lobster Cream Sauce $21

Weekend Cocktail

Maple Black Walnut Old Fashioned - Whistle Pig Piggyback 6 Year Rye, 1792 Small Batch American Bourbon, Maple Syrup, Black Walnut Bitters & a spritz of Laphroaig 10-Year Islay Single Malt Scotch Whiskey

M’tucci’s 2019 Rosso is here!

The new M’tucci’s 2019 Rosso is here. A blend of Cabernet, Primitivo, Barbera & Syrah varietals from Amador County.

The new M’tucci’s 2019 Rosso is here. A blend of Cabernet, Primitivo, Barbera & Syrah varietals from Amador County.

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

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30

10/15

RJ Perez @ Moderno

10/21

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

Cali Shaw @ 25

10/22

Lani Nash @ Moderno

10/28

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

RJ Perez @ 25

10/29

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

M’tucci’s Catering

It’s been a busy couple of months with weddings, private parties and tent gatherings at the 2021 Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. Planning a holiday party or a holiday wedding? We have private dining rooms available and can handle any off-site catering. We’ll even let you rent the entire restaurant for an event., like this September rehearsal dinner at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five followed by a garden wedding in the Rio Grande Valley.

Call Taña Martinez, Catering Manager (505) 350-0019

M’tucci’s on Monday - New Mexico Living - KRQE

Every other Monday, one of our talented team members appears on New Mexico Living to bring the latest news from M’tucci’s and sometimes a cooking demonstration. If you miss the 9:00am program, you can watch the most recent segment by clicking on this link.

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Thanks for reading. See you next week. Ciao!

M'tucci's in Rome, Day 2

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After a good night’s rest, we were off for a full day which began with coffee at Roscioli Caffe at 9:00 and with a speakeasy at 1:30am. Food and drink research is not for those who lack stamina.

Austin experimented with one of the more unusual coffee offerings at Roscioli - think espresso meets pudding. John was amused and Austin stuck to cappuccino for the rest of the week.

Is it coffee or is it dessert?

Is it coffee or is it dessert?

A walk across the river Tiber took us past Castel Sant’ Angelo, a circular castle which was built in the 2nd Century. The line into the Vatican wasn’t particularly long and we all marveled at the size and grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica.

One of the regular guests at M’tucci’s Moderno told Amanda we had to have lunch at a small family place 3 blocks east of the Vatican, so I suppose that was our real purpose for being in the neighborhood. Hostaria Dino e Toni just celebrated their 29th year in business, mostly with Dino running the front and Toni running the kitchen. All of the outside tables were full when we arrived, but we were told, “momentito”. Dino and another server appeared from inside with a folding table, five folding chairs, then five set ups and we were ready for lunch.

They were busy so it appeared that Dino is a little bit gruff at first, but he is all heart. There is a menu, but we let Dino bring out what his brother Toni was making special for that day. Aqua? Si, still. Antipasti? Si. Vino? Si, bianco e rosso. Pasta? Si. Fish or Meat? NO! It's too much. Don’t worry, there will be dessert.

The highlight of the dessert plate was the Caffe Granita (coffee-flavored crushed ice) with Panna Cotta on the bottom and whipped cream on top. The tiramisu was very good, too. Finish with a Malvasia from Sicily (Dino simply brought the bottle and five glasses) AND, if you have cleaned your plate (and you better) there will be Limoncello.

Early in the antipasto course, there was one piece of eggplant pizza on the plate (the third plate of antipasti) and as he hurried by our table he looked at the plate and said, "Finish!" before going to the next table.

They love good eaters. At Hostaria Dino e Toni, wasting good food is not how you get after dinner goodies brought to your table.

We walked off the large lunch, strolling through the Piazza del Popolo, down the Spanish steps and past the Trevi fountain. Then we opened up the Lime app on our phones, became daredevils and took the scooters back to our apartment through Rome’s busy traffic.

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Not a M’tucci’s employee!

Not a M’tucci’s employee!

That evening we went to a small place in Campo dei Fiore, chosen by John because he said, “the menu is not typical Roman dishes and, really, how many times do you need to eat Carbonara or Cacio e Pepe.” It was a statement, not a question.

Ditirambo claims to have authentic Italian cuisine, but it’s more related to Piedmont and definitely has a creative flare. We ate Beef Tartare with a soft egg, black truffles and shaved Piave Vecchio (the same cheese that M’tucci’s Italian uses for Pasta dalla Forma); Taglierini with Sausage Ragout, Beef Cheeks braised with Montepulciano wine and some of the best roasted potatoes we had in Rome.

After being turned away from Jerry Thomas Speakeasy on the first night, the team discovered a small basement Speakeasy in the same area. Argot was welcoming to us - even without a reservation - and after selling us memberships for a nominal fee, they enjoyed some cocktails. Still unsuccessful to snag a Jerry Thomas reservation on our second night, we returned to Argot and saluted the small intimate space and our good fortune.

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Don’t miss next week’s La Gazzeta to find out if we were able to visit the exclusive Jerry Thomas Project.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

Ravioli: Herbed Ricotta filled raviolis, sun dried tomatoes, fresh carrots, pink shrimp, spring onions, lemon-saffron cream sauce, sunflower seeds $23

24 oz Hand Cut Bone-in NY Strip: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $34

Pan-Seared Fish: Bronzino, creamy garlic mashed potatoes, grilled artichoke, sautéed arugula, lemon caper butter sauce $29

Braised Beef: Garlic mashed potatoes, caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, broccolini, savory brodo $25

Weekend Cocktail

Sangria Martini: Absolute Vodka, Fresh Lime, Cane Sugar, Anciano Crianza Tempranillo

M’tucci’s Moderno

14oz NY Strip: Salt water potatoes, grilled asparagus, salsa verde $32

Rockfish: Garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed arugula, roast artichoke, caper lemon butter sauce, prosciutto powder $21

Seafood Cannelloni: Shrimp, lobster, crab ricotta filling, Rosa sauce, spicy marinara $27

Weekend Cocktail

Flor de Otoño: Cucumber infused casamigos Blanco tequila, Anchor Reyes Chile Liqueur, lime, simple syrup, grapefruit bitters, salt, fresh orange wheel.


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

14 oz. Ribeye: Garlic whipped potatoes, grilled broccolini, smoked blackberry bone marrow butter $34

7 oz. Amberjack: Roasted garlic mashed potatoes, grilled escarole, seared artichokes, lemon butter, capers $23

Weekend Cocktail

Pesca Amara: Absolute Peach Vodka and Cappalletti Apertivo combined with lemon juice and cane syrup, topped with Caposaldo Prosecco.

M’tucci’s on Monday - New Mexico Living on KRQE

If you missed the segment with Catering Manager Taña Martinez and Minister of Culture Howie Kaibel talking about Balloon Fiesta catering, you can Click Here to Watch.

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

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30

10/1

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

10/7

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

Lani Nash @ 25

10/14

Oscar Butler @ Moderno

Amy Faithe @ 25

10/15

RJ Perez @ Moderno

10/21

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

Cali Shaw @ 25

10/22

Lani Nash @ Moderno

10/28

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

RJ Perez @ 25

10/29

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

M'tucci's in Roma, Day One

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We want your visit to the future M’tucci’s Bar Roma to be a slice of Rome. If you have been reading La Gazzeta for awhile or if you have traveled to several of Italy’s regions, you know that Italian food is a pretty broad term that really doesn’t describe the food of Italy, which is definitely regional. The menu in a Tuscan restaurant will probably not have the same items as a Roman restaurant. In order to bring Rome to you, we needed to experience Rome ourselves.

Five of us have spent the last five days doing just that. We walked and scootered the streets, visiting grand piazzas, monuments, ancient churches, osterias, restaurants, caffes, bakeries, gelato shops, and as the name M’tucci’s Bar Roma implies - bars and speakeasies.

During the next few weeks, La Gazzeta will bring you the images and experiences from our trip, which will help us make M’tucci’s Bar Roma a destination in Nob Hill.

The first day in Europe is always an exercise of acclimatization. After flying for 10 hours, we arrived in Campo dei Fiore at 9:00am (1:00am New Mexico time) with its bustling flower and vegetable market. Our goal was to walk, get a lot of fresh air and basically stay up as late as possible to reset our internal clocks.

We started at Roscioli caffe, one of three Roscioli food spots near Campo. Expertly roasted beans and fresh pastries keep this spot crowded throughout the day. Roscioli’s Salumaria is open for lunch and dinner and is nearly impossible to visit without a reservation - but we had one for 7:00pm.

We walked to Piazza Navona and wowed at the majestic fountains by Bernini and the former family palace of Pope Innocent X who reigned from 1644-65. The piazza was relatively empty compared to past visits.

Down a narrow street are several restaurants and it was time for brunch, since the Italian cornetto doesn’t keep one going for long. We found Mami Pizza, which makes slices with creative toppings - the cheese and escarole was fantastic. They also do a version of arancini called suppli, fried balls of rice with flavored ingredients.

Nearby, next to the Italian Senate and a few steps from the Pantheon is the Caffe Sant’ Eustachio. Anchoring this small piazza, they have been roasting beans in a wood-fired roaster since the 1930s. Always a crowd and always good cappucino and espresso.

After checking into our Air BnB at 3:00 to unpack and clean up, we made our way to small neighborhood bar for Prosecco and then to Roscioli Salumeria for dinner. It was good, but given the hype and popularity, we were expecting more. We tried to go to Rome’s first Speakeasy, Jerry Thomas Project, but you have to call ahead (and we called and called but couldn’t get an answer) to reserve a spot in the exclusive club which only seats 25. We were turned away.

We’ll be back with more of Rome in the next La Gazzeta.

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

24 oz Hand Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $36

Pan-Seared Halibut: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce $29

Jalepeño Goat Cheese Ricotta Ravioli: Roast chicken, marinated tomato, pickled jalepeño, roasted red bell peppers, spicy cream sauce $23

Braised Beef and Shrimp: Creamy polenta, mushroom, cherry tomato, scalliion, crispy shallot $23

M’tucci’s Moderno

14oz NY Strip: Salt water potatoes, grilled asparagus, salsa verde $32

Mahi Mahi: Garlic mashed potatoes, sautéed arugula, roast artichoke, caper lemon butter sauce, prosciutto powder $28

Jumbo Shrimp Pasta: Pink shrimp, yellow onion, celery, grape tomatoes, seafood sauce, fettuccine pasta $28

Weekend Cocktail


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

Pork Chop allá parmigiana: Crispy breaded bone in pork chop, spicy marinara and melted mozzarella, served with a fettuccine cacio, topped with sautéed mushrooms and spinach $20

14 oz. Ribeye: Mashed potatoes, grilled broccolini $39

Mahi Mahi: Mashed potatoes, grilled escarole, artichokes, lemon butter, capers $28

Coconut Crust Sword Fish: potatoes green beans and spinach and an orange gastrique. Lunch special for today $15

Weekend Cocktail

Goodbye Summer: Nickel vodka, strawberry lemonade shrub, lemon juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup, topped with Sprite

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

Thursdays @ 6:30 & Fridays @ 7:30

9/24 Oscar Butler @ Moderno

9/30

RJ Perez @ Moderno

Kirk Matthews @ 25

10/1

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

10/7

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

Lani Nash @ 25

10/14

Oscar Butler @ Moderno

Amy Faithe @ 25

10/15

RJ Perez @ Moderno

10/21

Kirk Matthews @ Moderno

Cali Shaw @ 25

10/22

Lani Nash @ Moderno

10/28

Melissa Rios @ Moderno

RJ Perez @ 25

10/29

Cali Shaw @ Moderno

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

Let's Go To Italy!

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NOTE: All M’tucci’s locations are closed on the 4th.

It’s time to travel and I’m sure that some of you are ready - if not already making plans to travel. My wife and I, along with her parents, are planning our Italy trip for September. The plan is to visit Venice, Tuscany, Rome and Sicily. I would like to offer some tips and ideas to help you plan your own trip to Italy. I will also visit some bars in Rome for the new M’tucci’s Bar Roma, coming to Albuquerque’s Nob Hill neighborhood in December.

At the moment, Italy does not require a vaccination card from U.S. visitors. There are two paths to entry without having to quarantine. You must show a negative Covid test within 48 hours of departure and you must take a rapid Covid test upon arrival or show a vaccination card. Two negatives and you won’t be required to quarantine. The rules could be revised on July 31. Click here to see the rules from the Italian Ministry of Health.

Seats are filling up, so if you are thinking of traveling, don’t wait too long. The route through Atlanta on Delta is heavily booked. There are seats available and decent fares on American and Alitalia. I recommend booking through the airline’s site. In case anything goes wrong, or if there are delays, the airlines will be more helpful if you booked directly with them, rather than if you book your trip through Expedia or another travel site.

We have been using Air BnB, VRBO and Booking.com for accommodations. There is a great site for traveling from point A to point B, called Rome2Rio.com (it was much better before Expedia bought it). Plug in two destinations and the search results tell you how long it takes by train, plane, car or bus and the approximate cost for each mode of travel. Train travel in Italy is not as fast as pre-pandemic times, since the high-speed trains between cities are not running at the moment, probably due to low demand. As of now, the trip from Rome to Florence takes 3 hours and 40 minutes instead of an hour and a half on a Frecce train. Hopefully that will change by late September.

As always, walking, eating and il dolce far niente (the sweetness of doing nothing) are the reasons for visiting Italy. In Venice there will be cicchetti, the Venetian version of tapas, found at bácari, the small wine bars found throughout Venice. Some of the popular small plates are: polpette (meatballs), fried zucchini flowers filled with baccala, cheese and fennel crostino and variations on local, fresh seafood. Locals move from place to place, sampling the small glasses of wine with their cicchetti, some for as little as 2 euros per glass. Small plates at M’tucci’s are inspired by cicchetti, such as Pizzeta, Shrimp Cocktail and Fried Artichokes.

In Tuscany we will be sure to have ragu and salami made from wild boar, young Tuscan pecorino, Chianina beef and lots of Brunello di Montalcino. Some of the specialities in Rome include the four kings of pasta; cacio e pepe, amatriciana, carbonara and gricia, as well as fresh burrata, and lots of artichokes.

Our first trip to Sicily will concentrate on the Southeast coast of the island, taking in some historic Greek ruins, Baroque hill towns and lots of seafood. Some of Sicily’s specialties are: arancini (fried rice balls stuffed with ragu or cheese and available at all M’tucci’s), caponata (the sweet and sour eggplant appetizer and fresh sardines grilled or with pasta. The slopes of the active volcano, Mt. Etna, are producing some of Italy’s best wines and an amaro called Amara, made from blood oranges and herbs. So many new things to try!

I prefer using books as a reference for restaurants and sights, as opposed to TripAdvisor and all the other “review” sites. The opinions of seasoned travelers, writers and eaters like Matt Goulding, Elizabeth Minchilli and Frances Mayes are much more valuable to me than some unknown person with questionable taste and an opinion.

If you aren’t planning on venturing across the Atlantic, you can have the next best thing at M’tucci’s with bar seating, patios and, as always, the best chef-driven Italian cuisine possible.

M’tucci’s Bar Roma

Coming to the corner of Central and Wellesley sometime in December is our newest restaurant, which will concentrate of craft cocktails, small plates and Charcuterie. We are beginning the process of renovation, and recently had the site cleansed of any bad juju and negative vibes. Bar Rome will be a new and vibrant addition to Nob Hill. Follow the Bar Roma page on Facebook for updates. Click here to follow.

M’tucci’s Artisanal Italian Sausage

Now in New Mexico Albertsons Markets in Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos. Sourced from our farm partners, Sackett Farm, it’s made with red wine and spices (and costs less than the national mass produced brands). Cory has created another recipe for using the sausage. You’ll love the Spicy Marinara & Sausage Pasta. Check out the video below and follow Cory’s instructions.

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M’tucci’s YouTube Channel

There are more than 80 videos on our channel demonstrating cooking techniques and cocktail recipes. Click here to go to the channel. You can subscribe for free so you will be notified when a new video is added.

Weekend Specials

NOTE: All M’tucci’s locations are closed on the 4th.

M’tucci’s Italian

24 oz Hand-Cut T-Bone: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Balsamic Reduction $34

Pan-Seared Sand Dabs - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichoke, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce $21

Pesto Ricotta Ravioli: Spring Peas, Caramelized Onion, Tomato, Garlic, Morcilla, Goat Cheese & Roasted Red Bell Cream Sauce $23

Pasta Della Forma

House Made Spaghettini & Piave Vecchio Cheese, Minimum of two orders, Prepared Table side - $38, Chef’s Condiments Add $3

Appetizers

Beer-Battered Herbed Ricotta-Stuffed Squash Blossoms: Capers, Aioli Pickled Zucchini $10

Clam Toasts & Pancetta with Fennel, Sun-Dried Tomato, White Wine Butter Broth $12

Weekend Cocktail

Italian Sangria

Sunday Only

Half Rack of Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, House Made Cole Slaw and House BBQ Sauce for $18

M’tucci’s Moderno

10 oz. Hand-Cut NY Strip: Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Salsa Verde $32

Pan-Seared Rockfish: Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $21

Braised Beef Short Ribs: Mascarpone Cream Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Red Wine Tomato Sauce $24

Weekend Cocktail

Aperol Bergamot Spritz: Mionetto Prosecco, Aperol, Italicus Rosolio di Bergamotto Liqueur


M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

12 oz. Hand-Cut NY Strip: Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $27

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi: Seared Artichokes, Grilled Escarole, Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $23

Amaro Glazed Beef Tips: Roasted Tomato Polenta, Sautéed Gralic & Greens, Walnot Gorgonzola Scallion Gremolata $21

Weekend Cocktail

Fit for a King: : Copper & King Bourbon Barrel-Aged Apple Brandy, Cardamaro, Schonhauer Apfel Liqueur, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Bitterman’s Tiki Bitters

Live Music at M’tucci’s

M’tucci’s Moderno

7/2Lani Nash

7/8 Melissa Rios

7/9 RJ Perez


M’tucci’s Twenty Five

7/1Lani Nash

7/8 Kirk Matthews

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

The Pasta of Rome

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Three of the iconic pastas of Rome have their differences, but the use of Pecorino Romano sheep’s milk cheese is the common denominator. Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and Amatriciana are the holy trinity of Roman pasta dishes on restaurant menus. Quite often, U.S. versions take liberties with the recipes, using bacon instead of guanciale (cured pork cheeks) or even Parmesan!! That will not happen in Rome.

Carbonara is traditionally made with Spaghetti, crispy pork (guanciale) and a blend of lightly cooked egg and cheese. M’tucci’s Twenty-Five makes an amazing version with Capicola (Applewood Smoked Pork Shoulder) and Prosciutto. Italians consider it to be one of the most popular pasta dishes in Italy, after Tagliatelle Bolognese.

Cacio e Pepe is a deceptively simple dish, with only three ingredients: pasta (with some pasta water), cheese (Pecorino), and fresh cracked black pepper. However, it’s probably the one dish that most confounds home cooks who can end up with rubbery, chunks of cheese instead of a silky sauce that clings to the pasta (me included). All three of our restaurants serve this dish with our eggplant parmesan, except M’tucci’s Moderno puts a little twist on it and calls it Cacio e Pesto.

While Amatriciana is the only red pasta of the three, it is popular throughout Italy. It originated in the town of Amatrice, which is northwest of Rome in the mountains. An ancient city with Roman ruins, it was devastated by an earthquake in 2016, which killed nearly 300 people and destroying 75% of the buildings in town.

While many Italian sauces are harmonious, this is one sauce that has contrasts with the saltiness and richness of the pork, the sweetness of the tomatoes, and the zing of the red pepper flakes. The Italians are very passionate and rigid when it comes to the ingredients in this dish. A little wine is OK, Onions are OK, too, but never garlic. A few years ago, a celebrated Italian chef suggested on a television program that you could add garlic to Amatriciana. The country’s largest newspaper La Repubblica published an article the next day denouncing the chef.

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The main course for this week’s meal kit is Pasta Amatriciana, (no garlic), made with M’tucci’s house cured guanciale, San Marzano Tomatoes, Pecorino and tossed with M’tucci’s version of fresh Bucatini pasta. Toss the salad with marinated tomatoes, follow the easy instructions for making the sauce, bake M’tucci’s Chocolate Chip Cookie dough and 20 minutes later you are ready for a three course feast. Order now, because at $32 to feed two people, these won’t last long. This card and an instructional video are included with every M’tucci’s Meal Kit.

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Super Bowl Sunday - At all M’tucci’s Locations

Patio or Carryout

Any Two Pizzas for $18

Family Charcuterie Board for $18

M’tucci’s Valentine’s Weekend

Don’t miss the special meal kits for Valentine’s Weekend. Executive Pastry Chef Brianna Dennis has created a fondue kit loaded with house made sweet goodies and Chef/Partner Cory Gray has a special three course meal that includes all of the major Valentines food categories: lobster, steak and chocolate. The Fondue ToGo will be $25 and the three course dinner is $49. Phone orders Please.

Fondue Togo kits $25.00 Available for order now.


Limited supplies at each M’tucci’s location starting 2/12-2/14
Kit includes:Caramel Chocolate Ganache
Chocolate Brownie pieces
Prosecco marshmallows
Strawberries
Palmier cookies
Pound cake


Meal prep kit for 2 people $49.00 - Order Now

Limited supplies picked up at each M’tucci’s location starting 2/12-2/14


Appetizer: Buttered Lobster Cream Cheese Puff Pastry w/ Lemon Cream Caper Beurre Blanc

Entree: M’tucci’s Bacon Wrapped 6oz Filet Mignon, Roasted Asparagus, Salt Water Potatoes with a Creamy Tuscan Garlic Shrimp Sauce.

Dessert: Cannolis with Sweetened Ricotta filling and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.


Dessert Special $8.00

Limited supplies at each M’tucci’s location starting 2/12-2/14

Chocolate Covered Red Velvet Cake Roll filled with Chantilly Cream, topped with Raspberry Meringue and Chocolate Cake Pieces.



Valentine’s Day Gelato and Sorbetto special:

Limited supplies at each M’tucci’s location starting 2/12-2/14, $8.00 per pint

Cheesecake Gelato with Strawberry Swirl

Chocolate sorbet

Raspberry Prosecco Sorbetto

Weekend Specials

M’tucci’s Italian

12 oz Hand Cut Bone In Sackett Farm Pork Chop - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Balsamic Reduction $23

Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Artichokes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce $29

Sunday Only: Half Rack of Smoked Baby Back Ribs, Salt Water Potatoes, House Made Cole Slaw and House BBQ Sauce for $18

M’tucci’s Moderno

Pork Belly Risotto w/ Celery, Carrots, Mushrooms, Alfredo Sauce $19

Pan-Seared Rockfish - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Roasted Artichokes, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce, Prosciutto Powder $21

M’tucci’s Twenty-Five

7 oz Chianina Flatiron Steak - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $22

Gelato: Blackberry with Blackberry Jam Swirl

Sorbetto: Raspberry Lemon

Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!

Rome - The Eternal City

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October is one of my favorite months for visiting Italy. In most places, the crowds are not overwhelming, even in Rome.

I avoided Rome the first three times I traveled in Italy, since large cities wear on me after a few days. After shooting photos in Athens before the 2004 Olympics and experiencing the historical center, I decided I really needed to see Rome. After three visits, the city has become a favorite and is a great introduction to Italy. It’s easy to arrive and easy to leave and provides incredible site seeing, easy walking and great food.

My visits were in June, August and October. I would definitely avoid hot and crowded June. August wasn’t too bad for crowds since that is a popular month for Italians to leave the city for vacation. We enjoyed the city in August, but make sure you book a room with A/C. October is my favorite month throughout the country, although you should be prepared for crowds in Rome. Make reservations for the Vatican (Sistine Chapel), hotel, and even restaurants early and plan to be patient at popular attractions.

I like to stay near Piazza Navona or the Vatican, because those locations put you within easy walking distance of many sites and restaurants. I like the Piazza itself with it’s beautiful fountains and the piazza’s proximity to the small square Campo di Fiore (field of flowers). In addition to a wonderful outdoor market, there are several terrific restaurants on or near this square. One is Obicá Mozzarella Bar and the other is Ristorante Salumeria Roscioli (reservations highly recommended).

It’s pretty easy to walk through St. Peter’s Square and into the Basilica at most times of day (obviously not during a Papal mass). Book online and avoid the lines to visit the Sistine Chapel. Walking east from the Vatican, you’ll pass by Castel Sant’ Angelo on the Tiber River, pass through Piazza Navona and continue to the Pantheon, the former Roman Temple with an oculus in the roof which provides the main source of light. Completed in about 127 AD, it’s a stunning architectural achievement. From there you can head south to Campo di Fiore.

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One of the best ways to see Rome (or any city) is the hop-on and hop-off tourist buses. They introduce you to the main parts of the city in a leisurely fashion. However, there are so many small streets and hidden gems in a city like Rome, that a bicycle tour was our choice on one visit. We used Top Bike Rental, which offers several different tours. We chose the Roman Views, which included the Seven Hills of Rome. We wisely paid an extra 5€ for their E-bikes and zoomed up every hill without breaking a sweat. Our guide was really knowledgeable and the four-hour tour included a spin through St. Peter’s Square, hills with views of the city, ending by the Coliseum at dusk.

As with any large European city, the best part is simply strolling the neighborhoods, stopping at a cafe for a leisurely beverage, getting lost, finding a local trattoria, and discovering life away from the busy sites. Slow down and enjoy life as the Romans do.

Roman cuisine features pork and lamb as well as seafood from the nearby Tyrrhenian Sea, although you’ll find Tuscan specialties and Neapolitan pizza throughout the city. Rome is known for artichokes served in a variety of ways: grilled, marinated or fried.

Three pasta dishes are synonymous with Rome: Pasta all’ amatriciana, Cacio de Pepe, and Pasta Carbonara. Cacio de Pepe is served as the side pasta with Milanese Burrata and Eggplant Parmesan at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Moderno. It’s also available as a side dish. M’tucci’s Italian Café & Market sells Pasta Carbonara as one their Pasta Kits. Basically everything you need for 2 main courses or 4 starter courses (pasta, cheese & meat) for $20. Many restaurants on this side of the pond use bacon in their Carbonara sauce, but the real thing is made with guanciale, which we cure in-house. They’ll even give you a custom recipe for this tasty, but sometimes tricky dish.

EDITORS NOTE: Hope you enjoyed our brief tour of Rome. Next week is Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast.

M’tucci’s Guanciale

M’tucci’s Guanciale

NEWS FROM M’TUCCI’S

M’tucci’s @ Lava Rock Brewing Co.

HAPPY HOUR & NFL Football!

$7 Happy Hour Menu features The Burger, a 10” Margherita or Pepperoni Green Chile Pizza, Charcuterie Boards and Wings for $7, Monday - Friday 3:00 - 6:30. Pair the food with a beer for $10.50 or $11, depending on the beer. Not eating (why not?), then $1 off all pints. The NFL is up and running and you can catch your favorite team on one of our large five screens.

HAPPY HOUR EVERY MONDAY UNTIL THE END OF THE FIRST HALF OF MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL!

$5 basket of Wings all day on Sunday

RETURNING BEER - A small batch Brut IPA is now on tap (5.8% ABV and 30 IBU), as is the Vacation Daze Coconut Hazy IPA (5.5% ABV and 30 IBU).

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and we are donating to the local Rio Grande Down Syndrome Network - 10% of Tuesday Gross Food Sales and $1 from every pint of Petroglyph Wit will go to the Foundation all month long.

October 19: Color Me Beautiful - Create your fragrance flower. Space is limited. Call to reserve.

Upcoming Live Music:

10/25: H28

11/2: The Gershom Brothers

How about a sampler tray?

How about a sampler tray?

M’tucci’s Moderno

Thanks to all our fans who voted our Servers the Best of Rio Rancho.

Weekend Specials

Italian Pork and Beans

House veal & pork sausage, roasted Italian white beans and carrots, pancetta, braised Italian greens, Orecchiette Pasta, Pecorino

Campo Viejo, Tempranillo, Spain - Notes of ripe red fruits, vanilla and spices. Soft long finish with with cocoa flavors

Pan Seared Icelandic Cod, switches to Scallops

Mild and sweet buttery flavor, medium firmness and seared to perfection. Served with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, grilled artichokes and sautéed baby arugula

Chateau Ste. Michelle, Mimi Chardonnay, California - Light oak notes, apple and pear flavors, light acidic finish

Cut of the Day - House Hand cut T-bone
Grilled to order and served with our house made garlic mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus and our house made traditional Italian Salsa Verde

Tercos, Malbec, Argentina - Aromatic with blackberries and ripe cherries. Long, in-depth finish with medium to soft tannin's.

Live Music

Tonight: Melissa Rios @ 8:30

10/24: Alex Maryol @ 7:00

M’tucci’s Italian

Weekend Specials

Cut of the Day - 24 oz Hand Cut Porterhouse, Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and a Balsamic Reduction

Pan-Seared Seafood - Yellowfin Tuna, Grilled Artichoke, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéd Arugula, Lemon Caper Beurre Blanc

Ravioli - House Bacon Hazelnut Ricotta Ravioli, Bacon Caramelized Onion Bechamel, Crispy Bacon, Toasted Hazelnut, Shaved Parmesam & Micro Greens

Braised - Five Pork Bolognese, Creamy Polenta, Marinara & Sautéed Spinach

October Prix Fixe Menus

10/23/19

1st Course- Roasted Butternut Squash Soup, Fried Sage, Brown Butter Drizzle

2nd Course- Roasted Herb Brined Petite Chicken, House Sourdough Stuffing, French Green Beans, Cranberry Gastrique

3rd Course- M’tucci’s World Famous Take Home For Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie, Sage, Whipped Cream

10/30/19

1st Course- Smoked Ghoulda Pizza, Balsamic Braised Cipollini Onions, Rosemary

2nd Course- Braised Duck A’l Blood Orange, Potato Puree, Braised Greens

3rd Course- Chocolate Mousse Cake, Graham Cracker, Marshmallow, Chocolate Spider

M’tucci’s Italian Café & Market

Voted Albuquerque’s Best Deli by the Albuquerque Journal’s Readers.

The Café & Market offers amazing pastries in our display case every day and we’re busy planning for the holidays. We carry the same great Italian imports, all of our artisan breads, and a wide variety of imported, domestic, and house made cheese and meat. There is an expanded selection of coffee and pastries. We have charcuterie boards to eat in or take out with wine and beer by the glass. Click here to see our menu.

Don’t feel like cooking tonight, but you want to stay home? Pick up a M’tucci’s Pasta Kit: 1 lb. of House Made Pasta, choice of Bolognese or Carbonara Sauce, House Made Meat and an Italian Cheese for garnish.

October Halloween Chocolates & Cookies!

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M’tucci’s Catering

We cater events of all sizes and varieties. Recently, we fed 1,500 guests at The Whiskey Classic at San Cristobal Movie Ranch south of Santa Fe. A portion of the event proceeds went toward a scholarship for students enrolled in Central New Mexico Community College’s beverage and brewing management program. It was a great event with M’tucci’s food, and Managing Partner/Beverage Director Austin Leard leading seminars about M’tucci’s Shrubs and Mixology.

Contact Ivy for your next event, large or small. We can handle it!

Click here to see our catering menu. 505.350.0019 or [email protected]

ONGOING NEWS

M’TUCCI’S AROUND TOWN

Our market items can be purchased at a couple of locations in Albuquerque. We deliver our fresh bread every Tuesday and Friday to Silver Street Market at 2nd and Silver. Choose from Sourdough, Fennel Rye, Wheat, Baguette, Ciabatta, and Raisin Rosemary Focaccia.

Drinking at Bosque in Nob Hill? You can order a M’tucci’s Charcuterie Board while there.

M’TUCCI’S TWENTY-FIVE JOB FAIR

Watch this space for the announcement of our December Job Fair for our new location. We are looking for highly skilled and motivated servers, kitchen workers, bartenders and managers.

SERVICE INDUSTRY NIGHT & DISCOUNTS

Area service industry workers can get a Service Industry card from us by showing proof of employment. With the card you receive 10% off your check every day and 20% off on Sundays from 6:00 - 9:00. Dine in only.

ONLINE ORDERING

Our food is available for delivery with Door Dash or for pick up. Pick up something for the weekend or on your way home from work. The links to ordering are on the Home page.

MTUCCI’S YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Videos about making cocktails and pasta and getting to know the M’tucci’s culture. Click here

See you next Friday - Ciao!