Greetings from Carrboro,
We try. But North Carolina doesn’t really get super “festive.” It’s just not part of our social DNA. Most of our festivals are awash in the requisite homespun pottery, strawberry jam, and wood carvings of cute farm animals. Raleigh’s annual December 31st shindig to watch a large, well-lit acorn ceremoniously descend to trumpet the New Year has an especially un-festive – but very North Carolina – tradition: the aforementioned nut is ceremonially dropped well before midnight so kids can get to bed at a decent hour. Woohoo. And pass the Ovaltine.
Louisianians have none of those issues. Quite the opposite. For them, keeping the party at bay seems the greater concern. Hell, you can swing by any number of drive-thru daiquiri bars on your way to the grocery store in Lafayette and, voila, the canned vegetable aisle immediately takes on a distinctly more festive air.
And then there’s Mardi Gras. When New Orleans actively wants to have a good time. Oh, boy. For the uninitiated, venturing into the mayhem on Bourbon St. during Mardi Gras should require the same trepidation as someone deciding to wander the streets of Pamplona in stilettos during the Running of the Bulls. Escaping entirely unscathed is probably not in the cards.
So at Acme we do our best to translate Mardi Gras to a more classically Carolina vibe. You know, still delicious but with a significantly reduced chance of waking up in a dumpster. Starting next Thursday, the kitchen is diving into the glorious food of the deep south for two solid weeks. Gumbo, etouffee, jambalaya, beignets, boudin, creole, and the oh-so-evil offspring of King Cake and Bananas Foster. And the bar team will have sazeracs, hurricanes, milk punch, et al. so that you can turn up the party volume as you see fit.
Though usually closed on Tuesdays, Acme will celebrate Mardi Gras in appropriate fashion on the big day itself – Fat Tuesday, March 4th. We’ll definitely laissez les bonnes temps rouler with the proper party soundtrack, beads, and festive attire. Feel free to dress accordingly. Let it be noted however – for all the purists – you will have to make your own parade float.
Never fear, Acme will be open tonight. What’s a little bit of snow, anyway?
Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.
Cheers,
The Staff at Acme
