Acme Food & Beverage Company

Acme Food & Beverage Company Restaurant Review:

Acme’s red walls showcase local art while glass windows in front capture the hustle and bustle of Carrboro’s Main Street. Chef/owner Kevin Callaghan sends his patrons amusing weekly emails that tantalize them with ever-changing seasonal specialties. Small (but not too small) plates, “Bowls” and larger entrées may feature such offerings as green tomato gazpacho, a notable chicken liver pâté, crispy fried calamari served over a generous portion of Asian slaw and cauliflower bread pudding with a fried egg on top. Seafood is always a good bet. Try seared mahi mahi with ginger sweet potato mash or blackened salmon with green tomato salsa over Acme’s signature “two-hour” cheese grits. Other crowd-pleasers include the Acme burger and the pecan-crusted fried chicken with butter beans and mashed potatoes with mushroom gravy. Coconut flan, butterscotch pudding with a dark chocolate sauce and whipped cream, and chocolate bourbon pecan pie are dessert standouts. Crowds fill the cozy patio for Sunday brunches devoted to waffles, Benedicts and burgers. The extensive wine list draws choices from around the globe, including such rarities as a Beaujolais Blanc and a Yering Station Pinot Noir. Ask about a special wine list featuring North Carolina and Virginia labels. Acme opens for Thanksgiving, but closes for Super Bowl Sunday.