2/16

Greetings from Carrboro,

 Internships are nothing new in restaurants. You’ve seen Ratatouille, right? Nowadays, all the cool people say stage (pronounced staj) to make their apprenticeships sound fancy. Face it: there’s nothing quite like a French-sounding word to make the culinary world genuflect. And, honestly, what would you choose to order from a restaurant menu – “paté” or “cold potted organ meat spread?” Exactly.

 But what is new is having an intern from Copenhagen. And not Copenhagen, NY. Uh-uh. The one in Denmark. With all the bicycles. Christina Larson has been working at Acme for a couple of months now, getting her head around Southern food, but tonight she’s going back to her roots and offering lucky diners the chance to taste a real Danish feast. Gravlax and pork belly and rye bread are just the beginning. Oh, it’ll be delicious.

 There’s only so much. And only tonight. Reservations are definitely suggested, and Acme will also be serving our regular menu all night long.

 And did I mention Shad Roe? The first true sign of Spring comes to Acme. Pan-fried with cheese grits and a brown butter-caper-and lemon pan sauce. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, it does. Food is good.

 Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

Reservations online or 919 929 2263

Greetings from Carrboro,

Men of the world, look out – here he comes. Cupid. It’s important not to dwell too much on how the image of a well-armed toddler is supposed to evoke romance. You with me? Hell, I’ve seen what a darling little tot can do with a dry erase marker, a sofa and the amount of time it takes daddy to go potty. Not pretty. So, the thought of handing over a weapon to a diaper-clad cherub does not give me any warm, fuzzywuzzy thoughts. Hardly. But here we are.

Let me be clear; Valentine’s Day should cause a wee bit of panic. Not the overwhelming large-comet-hitting-Earth-panic. More like the doctor’s-appointment-sitting-on-crinkly-paper variety of panic. You know. The kind of butterflies eased by clean underwear and breath mints. Preparation, needless to say, is key.

This year, Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday. In three Tuesdays to be exact. Something like 25000 minutes. But who’s counting? Tick. Tock. And there’s this thing called $12.95 Tuesday that we do around here. It’s, well, pretty damn popular. So what to do when one juggernaut slams into another? Something, as they say, has to give. Our attempts to move Valentine’s Day did not go over so well with the Hallmark people. They had already printed their silly cards and were not so keen to cross out “14” and hand write in “15.” Lazy schmucks. So, we – Acme – did the noble thing and saved Cupid’s big day. Yes, Carrboro, you’re welcome.

We moved $12.95 Tuesday to Monday, February 13^th! Because 12.95 is close to 13! Genius, right? For one week only, Acme will make Monday your Funday. Every Entrée. $12.95. We could call it Valentine’s Day for Insiders. Or for hipsters. Sure beats the crap out of a Whitman’s Sampler. The way we figure it, the only real panic you’ll have is whether to come to Acme on Monday or Tuesday. Either way, we hope you’ll go with the clean underwear plan. Altoids are completely your call.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

Greetings from Carrboro,

Lord, the faces I must have made. Year after year. Every single time that I tried one. For my father, the whole thing was a time-honored rite of passage. He was sure the path to manhood was paved with polishing shoes, holding doors for women, and eating oysters on the half-shell. And probably in reverse order. To his dismay, I didn’t get the memo – I preferred fried shrimp with ketchup. Watching his son eat spaghetti at the Prince Neptune Raw Bar in Miami must have been an affront to all his sensibilities. Regardless of how shiny my shoes were.

Times change. Thank God. While the shoe polishing has certainly fallen off rather precipitously over the years, the raw oyster lust has made up for lost time. And this winter, Acme is thrilled to have partnered with Tom Gallivan of Shooting Point Oyster Company (www.shootingpointoysters.com) to offer his family’s hand-cultured heirloom oysters from the Eastern Shore of Virginia. Beautiful, briny, Southern oysters. The most delicious I’ve ever had. With fresh lump crab and lemon. It doesn’t get much better than that. OK. Maybe add a cold beer. Or three.

I have the distinct feeling that my father would approve.

Winter Clam and Collard Stew. Forever Roasted Pig. Carolina Flounder. Flash Fried Calamari. Chocolate Pecan Pie. Dayboat Scallops. Grapefruit and Jicama Salad. Braised Wild Boar and Venison. Fresh rolled Pasta! Grilled Beef Tenderloin. Shrimp Chile Relleno. Pecan Crusted Fried Chicken. Wild Salmon. The all-new Church Supper Platter. Oysters on the Half-Shell. Now, that’s what I call dinner.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

Reservations online or 919 929 2263

1/5/12

Greetings from Carrboro,

There’s nothing quite like a looming apocalypse to quash ambitious New Year’s resolutions. I’m not sure if this end-of-days involves volcanoes, flaming meteors and general geological mayhem or if this is the type where the chosen get whooshed naked to paradise leaving the rest of the clothed masses to feel rather ambivalent about global warming and the federal debt and all the time we spent in Sunday school. Either way, resolving to bike to work twice a week seems rather pointless. As does finally cleaning out the attic. But, on the good side, heroically trying every flavor of Ben and Jerry’s would be eminently doable. Hey. Who knew that apocalyptic determinism had its upside?

The way we see it at Acme, this whole end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it thing has to be good for business. Has to. Nobody’s bucket list features “Lean Cuisine Salisbury Steak.” No-body. Or “that thing swathed in plastic wrap in the back corner of the freezer.” Please. Putting off delicious is never, ever a good idea. Especially now. Hello? The clock is ticking. So, to that end, we’ve made our New Year’s resolution to be better than ever. To be delicious squared. Just for you. Because if a biscuit and gravy won’t save your soul, what will? Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Macaroni and cheese. Hallelujah.

Pan-Seared Sea Bass. Steak Frites. Braised Wild Boar and Venison. Fried Oysters. Lobster and Monkfish Pot Pie. Arugula, Grapefruit and Avocado Salad. Dayboat Scallops.  Shrimp and Mahi Mahi Jambalaya. Pecan Crusted Fried Chicken. Cane Creek Cheeseburgers. Smoked Wahoo and Local Goat Cheese. Pan Seared Duck with Wild Pear Chutney. Coconut Pound Cake with Fresh Tangerine Sauce. Calamari. Forever Roasted Pig. Wild Salmon. Crab Cakes.

Acme. Almost heaven. Definitely Carrboro.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The Staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

Reservations online or 919 929 2263

Greetings from Carrboro,

There’s nothing quite like a looming apocalypse to quash ambitious New Year’s resolutions. I’m not sure if this end-of-days involves volcanoes, flaming meteors and general geological mayhem or if this is the type where the chosen get whooshed naked to paradise leaving the rest of the clothed masses to feel rather ambivalent about global warming and the federal debt and all the time we spent in Sunday school. Either way, resolving to bike to work twice a week seems rather pointless. As does finally cleaning out the attic. But, on the good side, heroically trying every flavor of Ben and Jerry’s would be eminently doable. Hey. Who knew that apocalyptic determinism had its upside?

The way we see it at Acme, this whole end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it thing has to be good for business. Has to. Nobody’s bucket list features “Lean Cuisine Salisbury Steak.” No-body. Or “that thing swathed in plastic wrap in the back corner of the freezer.” Please. Putting off delicious is never, ever a good idea. Especially now. Hello? The clock is ticking. So, to that end, we’ve made our New Year’s resolution to be better than ever. To be delicious squared. Just for you. Because if a biscuit and gravy won’t save you, what will? Oh, that’s right. I forgot. Macaroni and cheese. Hallelujah.

Pan-Seared Sea Bass. Steak Frites. Braised Wild Boar and Venison. Fried Oysters. Lobster and Monkfish Pot Pie. Arugula, Grapefruit and Avocado Salad. Dayboat Scallops.  Shrimp and Mahi Mahi Jambalaya. Pecan Crusted Fried Chicken. Cane Creek Cheeseburgers. Smoked Wahoo and Local Goat Cheese. Pan Seared Duck with Wild Pear Chutney. Coconut Pound Cake with Fresh Tangerine Sauce. Calamari. Forever Roasted Pig. Wild Salmon. Crab Cakes. Damn good food. Not damned.

Acme. Almost heaven. Definitely Carrboro.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The Staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

But Mardi Gras is a different story. We get Gumbo and Jambalaya. Ettouffee and Oysters Rockefeller. Bread Pudding and King Cake. Now that’s what I call a holiday. Throw in a healthy dose of beads, masks, and large fruity drinks and it becomes a party. And in New Orleans, it becomes a way of life. Laissez les bons temps rouler. Well, we couldn’t agree more. So, during the week of February 19th, Acme is going to celebrate all things Mardi Gras. Crab Gumbo, Beignets, and a Hurricane, anyone? Show us your … good taste. Exactly. Show us your damn good taste. Fat Tuesday at Acme. Almost heaven. Definitely Carrboro.

12/20

Greetings from Carrboro,

I really hadn’t planned to buy my mother water skis. Or that zebra print nose-hair trimmer. Because I realize now, as presents go, they don’t really say “Merry Christmas” as much as “your son needs serious therapy. Again.” Which is not such a heartwarming yuletide meditation. But they were on sale! It’s not my fault! Honestly, it could have been worse. I did linger awhile over a fancy car muffler that was marked down, like, incredibly.

Inept shoppers of the world unite! The promised land is at hand! No more food court samples! Or reliving nightmares about having to sit in Santa’s lap! Can I get a hallelujah?! And somebody pass the Chex mix.

The Acme Gift Certificate. One size fits most. We’ll mail it for you. That day. All you have to do is go to www.acmecarrboro.com/home/gift-certificates and the rest is easy-peasy. The perfect Christmas gift. In case you didn’t know it, holidays are just better here. But if you do want some slightly used water skis, I can make a deal…

And Acme will be open on Christmas Eve, 5pm until 9pm. Home for the holidays is a good thing.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

Reservations online or 919 929 2263

12/6

Greetings from Carrboro,

It really doesn’t make any sense. At all. Look at the rest of the world. France has Champagne and crémant. Spain has cava. And Italy has prosecco. Sounds lovely, right? And classy. Festive, even. So what did the great American marketing machine contrive for our bubbly drinking pleasure? Cold Duck. Try ordering that in a restaurant with a straight face.

Well, it was the ‘70s. And putting Cold Duck into context with “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” and soap-on-a-rope, I guess the name makes a little more sense. But still. What wine with bubbles and a frigid waterfowl have in common is anyone’s guess. I assume that “Hot Partridge” and “Tepid Emu” were taken. Probably as frozen drinks in a fern bar. Or cuts on a Deep Purple record. The name does, however, allow a diner to order two different things with the same epithet. “I’ll have the cold duck with the cold duck, please.” But that’s really about it. The merits sort of fall off rather precipitously after that.

Our Cold Duck conundrum? What exactly do we call a holiday-rific dinner featuring some of the best sparkling wine from all over the world? Paired with perfect wintertime seafood? Right here in Carrboro? A Bubbly Bonanza? A Fête of Fizz? A… OK. Screw it. We’ll just call it Flat-Out Delicious. How does that sound?

The Acme Holiday Bubbly Bash. Monday, December 19^th. $70 per person. Reservations are required (919 929 2263). We’ll get started at 6:30. We expect the dinner to sell out. Menu is below. Nothing says happy holidays quite like Acme. Start winter right. And bring someone you love.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

The Acme Holiday Bubbly Bash

Sunday, December 18^th   6:30 in the Evening

1^st

Fried Carolina Shrimp

Ginger, Grapefruit, Cucumber, Cilantro

2009 Von Buhl Sekt

2^nd

Pan Seared Scallops

Curried Parsnips, Mango

Bortolomiol Filanda Rosé

3^rd

Porcini Crusted Halibut

Sweet Potatoes, Grilled Fennel

2007 Argyle Brut

4^th

Yellowfin Tuna

Edamame Purée, Sesame Glaze, Pineapple

Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

5^th

Maine Lobster Pot Pie

Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée

Greetings from Carrboro,

It really doesn’t make any sense. At all. Look at the rest of the world. France has Champagne and crémant. Spain has cava. And Italy has prosecco. Sounds lovely, right? And classy. Festive, even. So what did the great American marketing machine contrive for our bubbly drinking pleasure? Cold Duck. Try ordering that in a restaurant with a straight face.

Well, it was the ‘70s. And putting Cold Duck into context with “Sigmund and the Sea Monsters” and soap-on-a-rope, I guess the name makes more a little sense. But still. What wine with bubbles and a frigid waterfowl have in common is anyone’s guess. I assume that “Hot Partridge” and “Tepid Emu” were taken. Probably as frozen drinks in a fern bar. Or cuts on a Deep Purple record. The name does, however, allow a diner to order two different things with the same epithet. “I’ll have the cold duck with the cold duck, please.” But that’s really about it. The merits sort of fall off rather precipitously after that.

Our Cold Duck conundrum? What exactly do we call a holiday-rific dinner featuring some of the best sparkling wine from all over the world? Paired with perfect wintertime seafood? Right here in Carrboro? A Bubbly Bonanza? A Fête of Fizz? A… OK. Screw it. We’ll just call it Flat-Out Delicious. How does that sound?

The Acme Holiday Bubbly Bash. Monday, December 19^th. $70 per person. Reservations are required (919 929 2263). We’ll get started at 6:30. We expect the dinner to sell out. Menu is below. Nothing says happy holidays quite like Acme. Start winter right. And bring someone you love.

Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme

The Acme Holiday Bubbly Bash

Sunday, December 18^th   6:30 in the Evening

1^st

Fried Carolina Shrimp

Ginger, Grapefruit, Cucumber, Cilantro

2009 Von Buhl Sekt

2^nd

Pan Seared Scallops

Curried Parsnips, Mango

Bortolomiol Filanda Rosé

3^rd

Porcini Crusted Halibut

Sweet Potatoes, Grilled Fennel

2007 Argyle Brut

4^th

Yellowfin Tuna

Edamame Purée, Sesame Glaze, Pineapple

Champagne Deutz Brut Classic

5^th

Maine Lobster Pot Pie

Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée

If visions of sugarplums no longer quite do it for you and Ma has permanently lost interest in putting on her kerchief to settle in for a long winter’s nap, Acme has just the thing. Dinner. At Acme. Christmas Eve in Carrboro 2011. We will open our doors on the 24th at 5pm. With all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, is there anything better than sitting down with people you love and leaving the rest of the world behind? If just for a couple of hours?

Reservations may be made online or by phone (919 929 2263). Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la. Holidays are just better here.