Greetings from Carrboro,
October always feels – I don’t know – sane, for lack of a better word. Somehow less harnessed to the dramatic frenzy that runs rough-shod over so much of the year. If life is a relentless game of tag then October is base. So, remember to take a deep breath and enjoy it. You’ll be “it” soon enough. Trust me.
At the restaurant, we watch as October nights reclaim eight o’clock. Then seven. Dried leaves swirl on the patio. And the kitchen welcomes back white sweet potatoes and duck and the warm spices of fall. Bourbon is an obvious and natural fit. And red wine moves proudly back to the fore.
To that end, Acme is having a few small dinners to toast the joys of fall. Think Octoberfest – but with a Southern, Acme-fied accent. Both dinners are wildly limited with a mere 20 tickets for each. Needless to say that aphorism involving worms and birds applies here.
This Thursday, October 4th, we’re welcoming Amanda Schark with Paul Jaboulet Aîné to showcase some of their amazing Rhone Valley wines. The prestigious wines of the Rhone are such a natural fit with our lush southern palate. Especially this time of year. The 4-course dinner will get started at 6:30. Tickets are $65 per person. Menu is below. All reservations for the dinner are required by phone (919 929 2263). Netflix can wait. At Acme, we believe that Thursdays aren’t just the day before Friday.
And next Wednesday, we will continue our Wine Wednesday Whole Hog series with another 4-course meal dedicated to the amazing whole hogs that we get from our friends at Firsthand Foods. It really is magical to be able to use such an amazing resource right here in Carrboro. The strength and vibrancy of our food community just gets better and better. The Whole Hog Menu for October is centered around the flavors of Sicily. Technically, it’s still southern food – just Southern Italian. Ah, semantics. And to make it irresistible, Regan has chosen four delicious Sicilian wines to show off with each course. Don’t you agree that hump day vacations are the best? At Acme, the food vacation alone is $48. Similarly the wine vacation by itself is $28. But the combo vacation package is a mere $64. Oh boy. Menu is below. As above, all reservations for the Whole Hog Dinner are required by phone (919 929 2263).
Acme Wine Dinner
with Amanda Schark & Domaines Paul Jaboulet Aîné
Thursday, October 4th
Welcome
Gruyere Gougeres
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Parallel 45 | Rosé
Kabocha Squash Risotto
smoked wild catfish, Chapel Hill Creamery Calvander cheese, curried pumpkin seeds
2014 Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Saint-Peray | Les Sauvageres
Pork Belly Confit
grilled eggplant, arugula, preserved currants & Meyer lemon
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Ventoux | Les Traverses
Pan-roasted Duck Breast
herb-roasted turnips, brown butter green beans, wild mushroom, garlic chips
2015 Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Crozes-Hermitage | Domaine de Thalabert
Braised Beef Short Ribs
gratin dauphinois, wilted October greens, pistachio-rosemary pesto
2012 Paul Jaboulet Aîné | Chateauneuf du Pape | Les Cedres
Whole Hog Tasting Menu
Wednesday, October 10th
Chestnut Pappardelle with Smoked Pork Belly
artichoke ragout, Castelvetrano olives, toasted almonds
Sausage & Caponata Arancini
Lucanica sausage, pomodoro sauce, bitter greens
Roasted Pork Loin with Walnut & Currant Pesto
asparagus & white bean purée, grilled eggplant, fried cipollini
Salted Caramel Pork Cracklings
sweet potato caramel, espresso dust, sea salt
