M'tucci's Renaissance Man
/There are many talented, unknown members of the M’tucci’s Family: such as butchers, bakers, and sous chefs. It’s highly unlikely that you have heard of Evan Kinsley, who has played a large part in our lives since M’tucci’s Italian was conceived in 2012 and opened in 2013. Undoubtedly, he is our Renaissance Man.
His interesting resume includes working on crab, salmon and halibut fishing boats in Alaska and working as an arborist in Boulder, CO. That job led to a passion for using reclaimed trees to make custom furniture. Along the way, he learned cabinet making and remodeled houses in the Boulder and Denver area.
When the lease was signed for M’tucci’s Italian, Evan (who was dating Jeff & Katie’s daughter at the time) was responsible for remodeling the neglected space at Coors & Montaño. He built the bar, made the tables and even built the wood-fired pizza oven. I talked to him when I was looking into building a home pizza oven and I asked, “Have you ever built a pizza oven?” He replied that it was his first one. Nine years later, it’s still a vital part of the kitchen at M’tucci’s Italian.
“I think in hindsight, it was a pivotal moment for us and for Evan. It was probably his first commercial remodel and it was our first restaurant. When you look at where each of our paths have led, you can definitely say that project catapulted us both forward,” said Company President John Haas.
“Evan has an incredible eye, is creative and has a relentless work ethic. Anyone who knows M’tucci’s well, knows that those traits are really aligned with our approach and vision.”
He started Sustainable Arbor Works in 2012, after working as a professional arborist in Colorado. "I wanted to find a unique and sustainable way to use the trees we were removing everyday." He said he knew that those trees could end up as something more useful than wood chips.
The next time you visit M’tucci’s Twenty-Five, take a moment to admire the beautiful tables throughout the restaurant, but particularly notice the small cocktail tables and the large community table in the bar. Every table was hand built by Evan using reclaimed wood.
For the past year he has devoted most of his time to a new venture, Spiegel Kinsley Construction, a partnership with M’tucci’s founders Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner. They are building luxurious, sustainable homes in Placitas, with the first one just completed and now on the market. Click the link above to see more photos of the first home.
Lucky for us, he still found time to use his unique skills to create the cool space that is Teddy Roe’s, our speakeasy-themed bar attached to M’tucci’s Bar Roma.
As you can see, M’tucci’s is fortunate to have such a talented craftsman in our family. He officially became part of the family last September when he married Suzanne Spiegel in a lovely garden ceremony.
Cooking with Cory - Garden Goodies with M’tucci’s Italian Sausage
New Menus at M’tucci’s Italian and M’tucci’s Bar Roma
M’tucci’s Italian has created a Light Dinner Menu for a late lunch or an early dinner. M’tucci’s Bar Roma has added a Happy Hour Menu. Both menus are available Monday - Friday.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Salmon/Ricotta filled: Patagonia Pink Shrimp, Cockle Clams, Asparagus, Tomato, Capers, Lemon Cream Sauce $27
24 oz Hand Cut Herb-Rubbed Porterhouse: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $41
Pan-Seared Wild Ocean Trout: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $27
Braise - 14 oz Blackberry Shrub Braised Wagyu Beef Short Rib, NM Blue Corn Polenta, Garlic Spinach $31
Weekend Cocktail
London Blush - Beefeaters Gin, Muddled Strawberry, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup & Elderflower Tonic
M’tucci’s Moderno
24 oz. T-Bone - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $39
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Roasted Artichoke, Braised Escarole, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $27
Half Herb-Roasted Chicken - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Cranberry Gastric $19
Appetizer
Strawberry Bruschetta - Goat Cheese, Strawberries, Fresh Basil, Balsamic Reduction, Ciabatta Crostini $7
Weekend Cocktail
Brazilian Lemonade - One Local Vodka, Muddled Lime, Almond Milk, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
16 oz. Veal Porterhouse - Grilled Broccolini, Whipped Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Blackberry bone Marrow Butter $37
Pan-Seared Wild Caught Atlantic Cod - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $31
Green Chile Risotto and Shrimp - Carnaroli Rice, Green Chile, Peas, Mushrooms, Crema di Porcini Sauce, Local Feta, Pecorino and Sourdough Crostini $21
Weekend Cocktail
Summer Sunset Sour - Aviation Gin, Muddled Strawberry, Aperol, Egg White, Peach Liqueur, Ginger, Lemon Juice, Tiki Bitters
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Pan-Seared Yellowtail - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula, Garlic, Pan-Seared Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $27
Herb Roasted Game Hen - Pickled Golden Beet Hash with Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, M’tucci’s Pancetta, Caramelized Onions, Purple Kale, Fresh Herbs, Served with Balsamic Reduction and a Roasted Golden Beet Butter $23
Pan-Seared Beef Tips - Red Onion, Mushrooms, Artichokes, N’duja, Pesto Cream Sauce, Campanelle Pasta $21
Weekend Cocktail
St. Germain Spritz - St. Germain, House Limoncello, Ruffino Prosecco
Live Music for August & September
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm
8/21 Rob Martinez
8/24 Shane Wallin
8/28 Austin Van
8/31 RJ Perez
9/4 Rob Martinez
9/7 Shane Wallin
9/11 Shane Wallin
9/14 Sloan Armitage
9/18 Amy Faithe
9/21 Chessa Peak
9/25 John Martinez
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30
8/19 Jason Seel
8/25 Lani Nash
8/26 Chessa Peak
9/1 Austin Van
9/2 Jacob Chavez
9/8 Paul Hunton
9/9 Alex Maryol
9/15 Melissa Rios
9/16 RJ Perez
9/22 Amy Faithe
9/23 Lani Nash
9/29 Chessa Peak
9/30 Jacob Chavez
M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30
8/19 Lani Nash
8/25 Matt Jones
8/26 RJ Perez
9/1 Lani Nash
9/2 Chessa Peak
9/8 John Martinez
9/9 Russel Ash
9/15 Shane Wallin
9/16 Cali Shaw
9/22 Melissa Rios
9/23 Alex Maryol
9/29 Austin Van
9/30 Paul Hunton
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
