Italy - Off the Beaten Path
/“I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost first published in 1915 in The Atlantic Monthly
A beautiful sentiment for those who love to explore the backroads and the lesser known places.
By all means, visitors to Italy should experience Rome, Venice & Florence. If you have time, or on your second visit, don’t miss the Cinque Terre, Siena, Orvieto or the Amalfi Coast.
Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve been several times to this enchanting country, you should make time for small towns - places off the beaten path, towns not heavily touristed. It’s not hard to escape the hoards of tourists who crowd the museums, piazzas and beaches every year.
Here are a few that I suggest for your next Italian vacation.
Pontessieve - This small town in Tuscany, east of Florence, is surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. It’s a crossroads town at the confluence of the Arno and Sieve rivers. It’s an easy train ride into Florence and has easy access to major highways for day trips to Arezzo or the Chianti region. With agriturismos, markets, restaurants and historic streets, it’s an easy place to stay for a few days or a week.
Isola d’Elba - The small island sits off the coast of Tuscany and is a short ferry ride from the port of Piombino. My first visit to Italy was in April and started in Milan. After a few rainy and chilly days in the Cinque Terre, we headed south in search of some sun and found it on Elba. The island features rugged terrain and equally rugged people. To say it was quiet in the off season is an understatement. The island has beautiful beaches, terrific obscure wine and is known as the place where Napoleon was exiled in 1814 after he was forced from the throne.
Avola & Noto, Sicily - The quiet seaside town of Avola and the nearby hill town of Noto are located in the Southeast corner of Sicily, far from the noise and hustle of Palermo. If you travel in the shoulder season, you’ll likely have the beach to yourself, walk into restaurants without a reservation, and share the towns with just the residents. You will find amazing architecture, incredibly fresh seafood and some of the best gelato anywhere.
Arezzo - South of Florence, Arezzo is a Tuscan hill town that feels smaller than its 100K inhabitants. This ancient Etruscan city dates back to the 9th century BC and is filled with museums and churches with world—class works of art. It’s a charming and easily walkable small city, featuring a cathedral with 15th-century frescoes by Piero della Francesca.
Castiglione del Lago - The small town on the western shore of Lago Trasimeno is in the northern part of Umbria. It is pretty busy in summer, but was quiet in October. The off season became apparent when we arrived by train and there were no taxis at the train station, a good mile from the town. The owner of the shop at the station actually called a friend to take us to the town. The lake is the fourth largest in Italy and has three islands in the lake and castles in each town surrounding the lake. Ancient olive trees dominate the small park and you can climb the ramparts of the castle. The lake is just south of the hill town of Cortona, made famous by the book and movie, “Under the Tuscan Sun.”
Regardless of where you travel in Italy, walk the neighborhoods, get slightly lost and soak up the architecture and atmosphere that is uniquely Italian.
Book and Prepay Online by Clicking on This Link
New Mexico United &
M’tucci’s Moderno
Celebrity Host Kalen Ryden
Monday, November 14, 5:30 -7:00
Stop by and meet one of our football club’s premier defenders.
Order Your Thanksgiving Pies Now!
Back by popular demand, Chef Brianna and team will make an Old Forester Bourbon Pecan Pie with Vanilla Whipped Cream ($20) and Pumpkin Pie with Ginger Whipped Cream and Pumpkin Seed Brittle ($18).
Order your pies by calling the location where you want to pick up. Ordering deadline is 11/20 and pick up days are 11/22 after noon and 11/23 after we open.
Thanksgiving Matchup
Several area bakeries, including M’tucci’s, will be participating in the Thanksgiving Matchup this year. Nearly 50 local bakeries and restaurants are matched with a local family in need and will deliver their special desserts to that family for Thanksgiving week. Our guests can join in giving by buying a gift certificate equal to or greater than the cost of a pie and we’ll provide a pie to one of the families now on the waiting list for a Thanksgiving dessert. Just tell your server or manager that you want to contribute. You can also contact Kandi Ramsey, co-owner of ABQ Sweet Spot or email [email protected] to see how you can help.
Whiskey Flight at M’tucci’s Italian
Featuring Maker’s Mark Barrel Selects
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Green Chile & Ricotta filling, Cockle Clams, Cotto Ham, Red Onions, Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes, Roasted Poblano Cream Sauce, Pecorino, Micro Greens $27
14 oz Ribeye: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $39
Pan-Seared California Halibut - Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $33
Braise - Cold Smoked Half Chicken, Braised in White Wine, Lemon & Rosemary, Sweet Potatoes Mash, Sautéed Broccolini, Braising Sauce $25
Weekend Cocktail
A Night in Monte - Montenegro Amaro, Fresh Lemon Juice, Honey Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. Ribeye - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $39
Pan-Seared Meagre - Roasted Artichoke, Braised Escarole, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $29
Chicken Portobello Spaghetti Pasta - Roasted Portobello Mushrooms, Mussels, Sun-Dried Tomatoes, Spinach, Mozzarella & Roasted Garlic Demi-Glace $21
Weekend Cocktail
Mark Your Calendar! - Teremana Blanco Tequila, O3 Orange Liqueur, Pasubio Amaro , Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
12 oz. Veal Porterhouse - Grilled Broccolini, Whipped Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Blackberry bone Marrow Butter $37
Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Braised Greens, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $33
Sackett Farms Pork Loin Marsala - Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Roasted Bell Pepper, Caramelized Onions, Spinach and Marsala Sauce $24
Weekend Cocktail
Tangsgiving - Diplomatico Exclusiva Rum, Tripe Sec, Hot Water, Holidays Spices
M’tucci’s Bar Roma
Pan-Seared Icelandic Cod - Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes, Braised Arugula, Garlic, Pan-Seared Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Caper Butter Sauce $33
Cold Smoked Herb Roasted Game Hen - Smoked Gouda au Gratin, Za’tar Braised Carrots, M’tucci’s Pancetta, Escarole, Caramelized Onions, N’Duja Butter $27
Weekend Cocktail
Chai Me a River - Myers Rum, Kahlúa, Chai Mix, Ginger Bitters, Half & Half
Live Music for November
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm
11/13 Oscar Butler
11/16 Shane Wallin
11/20 John Martinez
11/23 Ron Martinez
11/27 Shane Wallin
11/30 Oscar Butler
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30
11/11 Lani Nash
11/17 Rj Perez
11/18 Matt Jones
11/25 Rob Martinez
M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30
11/11 Rj Perez
11/17 Matt Jones
11/18 Lani Nash
11/25 Alex Long
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
