Greetings from Carrboro,

Some words need to be retired. Or, you know, set aside for a bit – with enough time to get its mojo back. I had a teacher in college who was adamant that we never use the word “share” in anything that we wrote because it had been utterly ruined by the free-love 70s. He made a very sour face when he said it as if he’d tasted milk that had unexpectedly gone bad. I still sort of reflexively cringe when I read it.

I get that same feeling around “classic.” Classic rock. Classic cars. Classic novels. Classic movies. Does anyone honestly think that Molly Hatchet’s Flirtin’ with Disaster is aptly described as classic? Or that a classic novel is anything other than a 19th century tome that you’ve heard of but never read though you feel odd admitting that out loud? Something like Middlemarch comes to mind. Or pretty much any other George Eliot novel.

And then there is a whole array of “classic” restaurant dishes. It always feels like a phrase meant to mollify guests. Really, what’s the difference between a Classic Caesar Salad and a Caesar Salad? And then other versions like Classic American Meatloaf that squarely intends to sanctify the dish and make it beyond reproach. Because you can’t demean a classic, right? With restaurants, classic sadly implies that the dish is probably not, well, delicious. And they know it. Caveat emptor.

So far be it from me to describe Surf & Turf as a classic. No way. Because face it; the dish is delicious – no matter what form it takes; it’s been around for half a century for a reason. And next week (August 16-20) Acme is serving three different versions of Surf & Turf. New York strip steak with a lobster tail and sauce bearnaise. Pan-seared tomahawk pork chop with barbecued Carolina shrimp. Lamb chops with sea scallops and pistachio & manchego pesto. Add a proper martini and we promise if you close your eyes you’ll hear Sinatra crooning. Honestly, you could do worse.

This weekend @ Acme: Soft shell crabs. Fig handpies with mascarpone cream. Pan-seared mahi-mahi. Acme wedge salad. Watermelon sangria. Forever roasted pig. Martha’s chili relleno. Acme tomato plate. Fried okra. Blackened salmon. Pecan-crusted fried chicken. Brunch biscuits & Acme jam. Smoked fish dip. Smashburgers. Southern tomato pie. Shooting Point oysters on the half shell. Shrimp cocktail. Cold beer. Acme banana split. Overnight beef short ribs.

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

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme