Greetings from Carrboro,
Yesterday, I saw a woman wearing a scarf. This on what was clearly the hottest day of the past month. My neck itched just looking at her. But on some level, I got it. I mean, the calendar does say fall, dammit. So, come on; cue the leaves and woodsmoke and crisp evening air. Bring on those mornings holding your coffee cup with two hands and willing your car to warm up on your drive to work. It’s past time to put those flip-flops in the back of the closet and give them a rest. Right?
But despite summer’s reluctance to give up her sovereignty, fall has wedged its way into the kitchen. Slowly but surely, flavor by flavor, purveyor by purveyor. Figs and apples and acorn squash. Okra and September shrimp and peppers of all kinds. We even have chestnuts. And it just feels right. The smells and tastes. A bit like how the woman with the scarf must’ve felt when she looked in the mirror before venturing out into yesterday’s heat. Hello, fall; we’re ready for ya.
On Sunday – 4pm at Atlas – there is a very exclusive Champagne Masterclass with UNC’s own Marcus Ginyard and the famed Champagne house of Charles Heidsieck. It’s that rarest of chances to taste each of their four luxury cuvées that we have flown in for the class. This very intimate occasion will be hosted by Philippe Andre from the winery who is here from Chicago to be our guide through each of these marvelous wines. I will be providing food for the occasion – yes, including oysters – to showcase the versatility and power of Champagne. Tickets to the event are $250 per person (plus tax and gratuity). Seats are incredibly limited. As always, we’d love for you to join us.
This weekend @ Acme: Barbecued Carolina Shrimp. Roasted acorn squash. Wild persimmon bread pudding. Fried chicken with mushroom gravy. Crab Cakes. Blistered sweet chilis. Cajun-spiced 16oz ribeye steaks. Pan-seared mahi mahi. Cast-iron pork chops with mountain apples. Brussels sprouts. Forever roasted pig. Shooting Point Oysters on the half shell. Appalachian Old-Fashioneds. Seared duck breast with muscadine mostarda. Smoked chicken hand pies. Corn risotto and braised pork cheeks. Pumpkin cake. Raul’s gumbo. Acme smashburgers. Angel Biscuits. Flash-fried flounder. It’s pretty delicious over here.
Well, that’s all the news from Carrboro. The staff at Acme look forward to serving you soon.
Cheers,
The Staff at Acme
