October 13th, 2026
Greetings from Carrboro,
We all like the temptation of a good shortcut. Just the sheer number of books or gadgets that offer simple paths to a new you – whatever hill-to-climb that may mean for you personally – is evidence enough. I have a decided weakness for anything that confidently promises to alleviate lower back pain or, zen-like, to unclutter my rather cluttered life. And now, yee-haw, there is Claude joining the fray to kindly offer its five easy steps to my self-improvement dreams – not that I’ve ever asked its opinion outside of, um, research. All of this is to say that smoking the oh-so addictive shortcut hope-ium sold over the counter or via Amazon has never come in so many tempting flavors.
But sometimes, life hacks actually work. Case in point – using a spoon to peel ginger root; it’s pure genius. As is, drumroll please, letting Acme cook your Thanksgiving meal. Just think for a moment. With the click of a button you can wash away all the untold amounts of shopping and cutting and cooking and, most importantly, the fretting that so often encumber Thanksgiving bliss. It all just goes away. Poof. It’s a holiday glow-up if ever there was one. Minus the facial mask.
The Acme Thanksgiving Feast is back for the 27th year. Each meal serves two hungry souls. The menu is below. And, yes, there are pies and sides and breads and assorted beverages to deliciously augment your Turkey Day table. Also, this year there is a vegetarian option for those who prefer a celebratory Turkey-less Day or for those who want to cook the turkey themselves. Pick up will be at the restaurant on Wednesday, November 25th between 2pm and 5:30pm. Holiday happiness awaits.
Next Tuesday, October 20th, The Acme Wine Experience travels to Northern Italy and Verona. Join us as we explore the wonderful wines of Tenuta Santa Maria and welcome Guglielmo Bertani from the estate to talk about his wines and their historic property. Fall is the perfect time of year for their glorious wines and the flavors of our southern table. The dinner will begin promptly at 6:30pm with doors open at 6:00pm. Reservations are required for the four-course, five-wine meal. The menu is below. Tickets for the dinner are $85 plus tax and gratuity. It’s going to be a great night.
serves two hungry souls
$95 – plus tax and gratuity
Smoked & Fried Carolina Turkey
Sage & Rosemary Dressing
Collard Greens
Bourbon Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Southern Green Beans
Mashed Yukon Gold Potatoes
Mushroom & Country Ham Gravy
Cranberry & Ginger Compote
Tuesday, October 20th
6:30 in the evening
1st Course
Carolina White Shrimp
toasted orzo, charred sweet peppers, capers, Italian parsley
2024 Soave ‘Lepiga’
2nd Course
Fall Green Gumbo
local greens, trinity, Carolina gold rice, grilled pheasant sausage
2023 Valpolicella Classico Superiore
3rd Course
Smoked Pork
sweet corn, mushrooms, caramelized onion jam
2023 Verona Rosso ‘Pragal’
4th Course
Overnight Braised Beef Cheek
gigante beans, tapenade, rosemary jus
2021 Valpolicella Ripasso & 2019 Amarone Riserva
