Greetings from Carrboro,

He’d stop religiously. Whether it was cement-block houses on the edge of small farming towns between Charlotte and Myrtle Beach or store fronts in run-down business districts, the colorful, hand-painted signs drew him like a moth to a flame. Tea leaves, crystal balls, coffee grounds, palms – he couldn’t get enough. The various psychics offered him a portrait of a world full of mystery and clear-eyed meaning. And for two months he wouldn’t wear green on their advice and swear up and down that his elbow no longer felt stiff in the morning.

I can’t say that I blame him. We could all use a sign from above every once in a while. Because honestly, is it too much to ask for a subtle nudge in the right direction through the rolling fog of life? Not that we want to take it full QAnon. Lord. Anything that leads someone to wear animal pelts and war paint and some kind of proto-Viking helmet as sensible winter fashion should be seriously kept at arm’s length.

But it would be nice to have a sincere Valentine’s Day cipher. You know, a machine designed by Da Vinci where you write out what’s said and it magically translates what’s written to the deeper truth hidden inside. “I really don’t need anything special for Valentine’s Day” becomes “I want the earrings that I very clearly circled in that catalog before Christmas. But the blue ones.” Voila. The clouds part and the angels sing. I honestly might wear rabbit fur chaps to the grocery store for access to that.

At Acme, we’ve been deciphering Valentine’s Day for quite a while. “Nothing special” means “lobster mac & cheese, please” and “being with you is enough” translates to “yes to chocolate and breakfast in bed and bubbly.” Cross my heart. But if you need us to translate “really, I’m happy to cook,” your problems may be a tad beyond even our help. But Miss Clara, outside of Dunn, comes highly recommended.

The Acme Valentine’s Day Spectacular. Menu is below. It’s dinner. It’s breakfast. It’s how you win at Valentine’s Day 2021. Period. No need for clairvoyance to figure that out.

 

Acme Valentine’s Day
Serves 2
Heating instructions provided

The Beginning 
Warm smoked salmon, spinach, & artichoke dip
&
Whipped ricotta & goat cheese, pickled cherries, caramelized onions, and thyme

Olive oil crostini 

The Main Event
Seared Beef Filet Mignon
wild mushrooms, red wine reduction

Lobster Macaroni & Cheese
gruyere, slow roasted tomatoes, tarragon

Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes

Brussels’ Sprouts
hot pepper jelly, Chapel Hill Creamery Calvander cheese 

Local Lettuce Salad
toasted almonds, feta, pickled grapes, mint, buttered cornbread crumble

The Grand Finale
Chocolate Terrine & Mango Flan
salted caramel and fresh raspberry sauces

Breakfast in Bed
Cinnamon baby biscuits
blood orange glaze, toasted pecans

(Price for the meal for two is $75. And pick up is Saturday, February 13th between 2pm-4pm so you can celebrate Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day in style. Completely your call.)

 

Also, there are still a few of our delicious Island Getaway Staycation meals available this weekend. And who doesn’t want that right about now?

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

 

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme