In New York City, one cannot throw a slice of pepperoni without thwacking an Italian joint of one kind or another; in Albuquerque, the situation is practically reversed. Jeff Spiegel and Katie Gardner moved from NYC back to Albuquerque a few years ago, finding the dearth of Italian restaurants as a call to action: M'Tucci's Kitchina threw open its doors in late July to diners eager for some decent pasta dishes.

The busy space is full of hanging lamps, knickknacks and tightly packed tables where servers stride purposefully on their order-taking quest. Suggestions for wines or cocktails are given freely, of course, with the Basil Gimlet ($8) worth a try on any warm evening.

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Source: http://www.abqjournal.com