Greetings from Carrboro,

For the most part, I think that we’re safe. Because being a career Luddite has its advantages. Making a living in the chopping, stirring, burning business does insulate us from the oft-feared predatory creep of AI. I certainly haven’t received an application for a line cook from some well-meaning avatar. And as far as I know, ChatGPT can’t make a decent martini.

But recipes are a different thing altogether; I’d definitely look closely before diving into some online recipe with a shaky origin story. Bleach-infused Rice Surprise was a recent AI recommended dinner go-to – with a clear emphasis on surprise. And, personally, I’m a tad nervous about what the AI take on Manwich might entail.

The good news is that at Acme we test our recipes over and over. And they’re more likely to come from someone’s great aunt rather than any great AI algorithm. But regardless, the real secret to making delicious food isn’t some ingredient or special tool. It’s really no different from being good at most anything: Do it a lot. Day after day. That marker of 10,000 hours comes to mind. Or, you know, 10,000 biscuits.

Speaking of biscuits, our Sunday brunch special continues this week. Every brunch entree, every Sunday is only $10. And plenty of coffee, mimosas, and Bloody Marys to get your day started just right. Come in and remember how great Sundays can be.

This weekend @ Acme: soft shell crabs (starting Thursday)! Strawberry margaritas. Flash-fried flounder. Acme wedge salad. Grilled beef tenderloin. Shooting Point oysters. Southern mushroom pie. Pecan-crusted fried chicken. Cucumber gazpacho. Scallop crudo. Acme cornbread. Gumbo. Peel & Eat Carolina shrimp. Forever roasted pig. Springtime risotto. Crab cakes with succotash. Acme Brussels’ sprouts. Roasted rainbow carrots. Ice-cold martinis. Blackened salmon. You could do a lot worse this weekend.

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

Cheers,

The Staff at Acme