Greetings from Carrboro,

There are superlatives. And then there are superlatives. Restaurant parlance is littered with its fair share of them. For cocktails and appetizers, wine and dessert – the whole shebang. I’ve been sold “mythical” tuna and “ethereal” champagne. Sometimes the conjured reverie feels completely authentic – the server really does swoon over the carpaccio. And then there’s the bland and canned 5-star review from a bartender that clearly announces, “good luck, you’re on your own.”

But sometimes servers chart their own course into the inexplicable. Because honestly, I had the strange notion that this guy’s praise was genuine; his facial gestures said as much. It was just the mantra-like way he repeated himself that was baffling. Each dish or drink warranted the same exact statement of praise from him. And, I must say, professed each and every time without one iota of irony. By the end, I felt like I could have asked him who was president and received the same response. And then there was the specific superlative that he chose to use. Nothing so predictably benign as “superb” or “wonderful.” No. He described each item by looking skyward and proclaiming, “tastes like Jesus.”

Now, for the literal-minded this is not a very helpful image to conjure. Future servers take note: saying something tastes “divine” is all well and good but ascribing an actual divinity with the flavor profile of loaded nachos is perchance a bridge too far. But I knew what he was trying to say. And truthfully my “Jesus” burrito was really pretty good – just maybe not quite god-like. Though I did think about the fact that it was summer and the server should really change his schtick before Christmas.

But I must admit that there are a few instances where “god-like” fits. With, you know, an admitted eensy-weensy bit of hyperbole. And there’s little doubt that soft shell crabs are in that yummy pantheon. Can I get an amen? Flash-fried with romesco sauce, rice, and baby arugula. I salivate just thinking about them. And – I’m thrilled to say – Acme has them on the menu for the weekend starting tonight. Hallelujah.

There are only 6 tickets remaining for the Acme Wine Dinner with Longboard Vineyards and their talented and entertaining owner/winemaker Oded Shakked, this Wednesday, April 26th. We’ll get started at 6:30pm (doors @ 6). Seats are $75 and can be purchased here. Menu is below. It’s going to be a great night.

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

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme