Restaurant people rationalize. We share a sort of gambler’s mentality – something akin to an optimism fueled by pessimism. Or, you know, the other way around. At the end of each night, the tealeaves are collectively read in some fruitless attempt to understand the whims and torment of humanity. The ‘whys’ have it. Busy? Slow? Good? Bad? Heaven? Hell? In this world, joy and calamity can grow from the same rationalized seed – as long as the seed is fed by the pristine elixir of co-worker agreement. And possibly a beer or two.

So when superstition enters the mix, look out. If you’ve never noticed, there’s a horseshoe over the back door of the restaurant. I found it with a pickax. It was almost 20 years ago; the first day I spent digging up the rock-like ground that would become our garden. Of course, I considered it a sign. Naturally, finding a rusted piece of metal more than made up for my bloody hands and throbbing back. Notice that it’s still there.

But putting it up was just the beginning. The staff made so much over how to position the horseshoe. ‘Up’ to capture all the luck? Or ‘down’ to let the luck rain down on all of us? I swear. For a few years, the orientation of the horseshoe served as I-told-you-so rationalization for countless nights – busy and slow. Then, at some point, it would be switched. And yes, these were adults. Okay, we were adults.

Enter Friday the 13^th. If you didn’t know, that just happens to be tomorrow. The trepidation is already stirring. However the night goes – good, bad, sideways – we restaurant-types will have a very sturdy rationale for our fate. Everything will be a sign. And I mean everything. Imagine a Dan Brown novel turned into a restaurant and you’re getting close. Regardless, we will survive; we always do. Friday night will have its highs and lows and ‘I-told-you-so’s. And then the next day will dawn with its equally compelling storyline. I mean, Saturday, October 14^th, is National Be Bald and Be Free Day. And that is always huge.

But tonight – Thursday night – good luck is definitely on the menu. No doubt. Oyster Half-y Hour is back. Every. Single. Thursday. Beautiful Hog Island Salts from Shooting Point Oyster Co. Repeat after me: Half-shells. Half-price. Half the night (5:30 to 7:30). Have to say, from where I stand, that’s not half bad. Really? You have something better to do?

And if you’re feeling really lucky, there are still a few (5) seats left for our Burgundy Wine Dinner next Wednesday, 10/18 (menu available on our website). The festivities start at 6:30. Tickets are $70 per person for the 4-course meal. Reservations are required by phone (919 929 2263). It’s going to be quite the night. And I imagine that these last seats will sell rather quickly…

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

Cheers,
The Staff at Acme