M'tucci's + Steel Bender Brewyard
/It would be a fool’s errand to exclaim that one brewery is the best in New Mexico. However, it’s no stretch to say that Steel Bender Brewyard is one of the best - and certainly one of our favorites. So, we’re pretty excited to share the details for the June 23rd Five-Course Dinner with Steel Bender at M’tucci’s Twenty-Five.
Our special pairing dinners are an opportunity for our chefs to stretch their skills, exercise their taste buds and create dishes that will pair with specific beverages. The planning for every dinner begins with a tasting, lively discussion and lots of note taking. The managers and chefs work with the brewer or winemaker and discuss the characteristics of each wine or beer. I usually join the tastings, enjoy the drinks and listen to the chefs comment about what foods and flavor profiles will pair with each beverage.
The Steel Bender pairing was harder than you would think. Steel Bender has a wide variety of excellent beers including IPAs, Sours, Gose, Kolsch, Lagers, Pilsners and cask-conditioned ales. We have several available on tap: Skull Bucket IPA, Red Iron Ale and Lloyd’s 3 O’Clock Kolsch. For a limited time were are thrilled to offer Amelia, a Belgian Quad aged in a M’tucci’s Maker’s Mark Bourbon Barrel.
The award-winning brewery has been a fixture on the NM brewing scene since they opened five years ago. Robert Haggerty, aka Beer Guy & Bottle Washer, has been at the helm of Steel Bender Brewyard’s beer and cider production and barrel program from day one.
Bob entered the craft beer world 11 years ago at Oxbow Brewing in Maine after spending 20 years working in the culinary industry. He and his family moved to New Mexico in 2012 when he joined New Mexico's award-winning brewing community at La Cumbre Brewing for three and a half years followed by some time at Ponderosa Brewing before joining the Chant Family to help build Steel Bender Brewyard. Bob is a Certified Cicerone(R), known among the New Mexico beer industry for his impeccable and innovative palate, for his dedication to Old World traditional styles, and for his Yoda-level beer knowledge that he imparts to new brewers. He is happiest when he's talking about beer and teaching others how to make it.
In addition to those beers already in-house, Bill Heiman from Steel Bender brought: Compa, a lager brewed with Blue Corn and all NM ingredients; Esmerelda, an Italian Pilsner; Mañana, a Hazy IPA; Raspberry Dynamite, a Kettle Sour; The Judy, a Belgian Saison and Amelia (described above).
After a lot of tasting and discussion, Bill mentioned a new beer called The Salty Dog, a Gose with Grapefruit and Salt (just like the cocktail of the same name!). Company Chef Shawn Cronin started coming up with dessert ideas to pair with the beer without even tasting it. That’s how we roll.
The decision of the chefs and managers is final:
Last nights dinner at M’tucci’s Italian featured the wines from Jackson Family Wines and some dishes never offered before: Wagyu Short Ribs braised in Blackberry Shrubs and Cockles with Pickled Fennel & Caramelized Onions in a Granny Smith Apple Brodo. Everyone at our table showed great restraint in not licking the plate of Black Truffle+Mushroom Ravioli with Crispy Chicken Cracklings in a Roasted Chicken & Lemon Cream Sauce.
There are still a few spots available for the Tequila Dinner at M’tucci’s Moderno, Thursday, June 16. Enjoy distinctive cocktails featuring M’tucci’s El Tesoro Reposado and 818 Tequilas.
Weekend Specials
M’tucci’s Italian
Ravioli - Salmon Ricotta Ravioli, Cockles, Shrimp, Asparagus, Capers, Cherry Tomatoes, Pesto Breadcrumbs, Lemon Cream Sauce $27
14 oz Herb-Rubbed Hand-Cut Ribeye: Crispy Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Grilled Lemon, Balsamic Reduction $39
Pan-Seared Swordfish: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Grilled Artichokes, Lemon Caper Sauce $31
Braise - Porcini/Beef in Red Sauce: Braised in Onions, Olives, Tomatoes and Red Peppers over Truffle Chives Mashed Potatoes $27
Weekend Cocktail
Playa d’ Oro: Tequila Orange Liqueur, Orgeat Syrup, Lime Juice, Honey Simple, Bitters Float, Edible Flower Garnish
M’tucci’s Moderno
14 oz. Ribeye - Traditional Italian Salsa Verde, Crispy Saltwater Potatoes, & Grilled Asparagus $39
Pan-Seared Swordfish - Roasted Artichoke, Sautéed Organic Arugula, Mashed Potatoes, Caper Lemon Butter Sauce, & Smoked Prosciutto Powder $27
Braised Sackett Farms Pork Belly - Creamy Mushroom Risotto $23
Weekend Cocktail
Sandia Sunset: Raspberry Vodka, Pink Lemonade Vodka, Lemonade, Tikki Bitters and a Pinot Noir Float
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
24 oz. Hand Cut Porterhouse - Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Broccolini, Smoked Blackberry Bone Marrow Butter $41
Pan-Seared Mahi Mahi - Garlic Whipped Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Stem on Artichoke Hearts, Lemon Butter Caper Sauce $29
Beef Tips Tortellini - Five Cheese Stuffed Tortellini, Roasted Red Peppers, Sautéed Mushrooms, Red Onions, Hot Pepper Relish, Goat Cheese Sauce $22
Weekend Cocktail
Sword & Shield: Absolut Peach, White Peach Purée, Lime Juice, Simple Syrup with a Meletti Amaro Float.
Live Music for June & July
M’tucci’s Bar Roma - Wed 6:30-8:30. Sunday noon-2pm
6/12 Rob Martinez
6/15 RJ Perez
6/19 Matt Jones
6/22 Melissa Rios
6/26 RJ Perez
6/29 Chessa Peak
7/3 Rob Martinez
7/6 RJ Perez
7/10 Austin Van
7/13 Lani Nash
7/17 RJ Perez
7/20 Cali Shaw
7/24 Melissa Rios
7/27 Amy Faithe
7/31 Nathan Fox
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five - Thursday 6:30-8:30 * Friday 7:30-9:30
6/10 TBD
6/16 RJ Perez
6/17 Lani Nash
6/23 TBD
6/24 Nathan Fox
6/30 Oscar Butler
7/1 RJ Perez
7/7 Eryn Bent
7/8 Melissa Rios
7/14 RJ Perez
7/15 DeAndre Aragon
7/21 TBD
7/22 Matt Jones
7/28 Chessa Peak
7/29 Jason Seel
M’tucci’s Moderno - Thursday 6:30-830 *Friday 7:30-9:30
6/10 Matt Jones
6/16 DeAndre Aragon
6/17 Jason Seel
6/23 Chessa Peak
6/24 RJ Perez
6/30 Shane Wallin
7/1 Lani Nash
7/7 John Martinez
7/8 Alex Maryol
7/14 Matt Jones
7/15 TBD
7/21 Oscar Butler
7/22 Chessa Peak
7/28 Austin Van
7/29 Matt Jones
Thanks for reading. See you next Friday. Ciao!
