Thursday, September 19, 2019
Greetings from Carrboro,
The fancy plates had a gold rim. But no monogram; that wasn’t my mother’s style. Dad jovially called it “the good stuff” to mask the unspoken threat of what would happen to me if I broke anything. It was always unduly stressful setting the table on those days that the good china would make its hallowed yet customary appearance. Thanksgiving and Christmas and, well, any other meal that required a congealed salad.
Without a doubt, my family had a bizarre fixation with tableware. There was an entire set of fancy plates and platters with an oh-so-exotic lobster theme that we never used. Not once. To be completely honest, I’m not even sure you could buy lobster in Charlotte in 1979. It certainly wasn’t proffered at our local Giant Genie. But you know, just in case a random neighbor showed up at the door with a slew of lobster, the Callaghan family was prepared.
It seems that this porcelain-thing is genetic. The first time that I held one of Haand’s plates, I knew that I wanted them for the restaurant. Desperately. They just felt so good. The craft and confidence and careful attention to the way food and tableware are so intimately connected. And the fact that each plate is designed and made locally just added to the allure. How could I say no?
So, my guess is that you’ve probably noticed these beautiful new plates and bowls at the restaurant — they’re hard to miss. And as a part of our 2019 Meet the Makers series, I’d like to give you the chance to meet Chris Pence, one of the gurus behind Haand and those wonderful plates. Each piece they sell is hand-crafted in their warehouse in Burlington, NC. But their clientele stretches all over the US. Haand supplies their sensuous tableware to some of the very best restaurants in America. And I feel so lucky that they are neighbors and friends.
That’s why Acme is thrilled to have an intimate dinner to showcase the craft and beauty of Haand. Chris will be here to talk about their process and the inspiring narrative behind the company’s success. Each of the four courses will feature Haand’s plates and bowls that we use at the restaurant. It’s inspiring when not just the food on the plate is local, but the plate itself is too.
The Meet the Makers series dinner with Haand Porcelain Pottery. Wednesday, October 9th. We’ll get started at 6:30. Tickets for the event are $45 and can be purchased here. Seats for the dinner are very limited and are sold on a first come, first served basis. Menu is below. It’s going to be a great night. Because it’s good to live right here, right now.
There are still four (4) tickets left for our Mt. Eden Wine Dinner on Wednesday, September 25th. Yes, that’s right. Next Wednesday. At 6:30 in the evening. Those tickets are $75 and can be purchased on our website, here. I’m shocked that there are still a few remaining. If you are a California wine enthusiast, this is a dinner not to be missed.
Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.
Cheers,
The Staff at Acme
Reservations: 919 929 2263 or online
Click HERE for tickets
2019 Meet the Makers Series Dinner
with Chris Pence & Haand
Wednesday, October 9th
1st Course
Grilled Pear Salad
blue cheese, pecans, pickled onion, pomegranate
2nd Course
Acme Gumbo
rice, oysters, scallops, shrimp, okra, flounder, andouille
3rd Course
Pan-seared line-caught NC tuna
butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, grapefruit
Dessert
Butterscotch Pie
bourbon caramel, shaved chocolate, soft whipped cream
