Decked out in rustic decor, this contemporary-chic restaurant has wood paneling lining the ceilings, floors, and bar; and stone walls flanking the courtyard. Classic American with a European twist is what you get here—when I asked a local shop owner who was singing ACRE's praises what to order, she responded without hesitation: "Everything. Leave your fate in the hands of the chef, and let him bring out whatever he is loving at the moment." There are some basics on the menu like grilled cheese and goat cheese ravioli, alongside more adventurous dishes such as duck pastrami, grilled octopus, hazelnut-fed pork brisket, and clam soup. Portions are on the modest side—definitely not your standard 1,500-calorie Southern entrée—so order a few smaller plates like the tomato tartare or the mousse-like artichoke cremeux to share among the table before chowing down on monkfish or kimchi-glazed sturgeon as the main course. Dessert is divine, whether you order the apple custard cake, sticky toffee date cake, or roasted banana tartlets.