Black-Owned Restaurant #12: SoCo

This journey I am telling everyone I’m on has its moments of loneliness. I often check my phone to see if someone texted or called me but all I see is my screen saver. My social media accounts are much quieter than when I first announced my November’s Journey. I would be lying if I said I felt completely comfortable with spending all this time alone and away from my friends and other family members. But God reminded me this morning as I was looking around my bedroom, that I am never alone. I looked at artwork created by love ones, my first concert posters, New Orleans artwork, cards received by friends and family, gifts from loved ones, and pictures with my family and friends. The more I looked around my room the more love I realized I immersed myself in. That love became palpable and just for a second, I felt all the love and energy from all my loved ones. Around 7:00 PM, I was making a sandwich, and I thought to myself, the former 11 black-owned restaurants I’ve been too, not once did I order an alcoholic beverage. I shared this news with my mother, and we both said God does not want me under the influence while on this journey. As I walked out the door to walk to SoCo, I told myself “just go with the flow, if you drink, you drink.” When I arrived at Soco's and opened the door, instantly, the warmth air mixed with the smell of soul food grabbed me inside and welcomed me. I looked around and saw all the beautiful black faces with smiles; I saw delighted black children; I saw black couples —I saw happiness. All I could do was smile back at everyone. I sat at the bar and looked over the drink menu while admiring SoCo’s atmosphere. I saw my people in their best element. I did not see anything other than love in everyone’s faces. There were two young ladies next to me so I had asked them if they would recommend any of the drinks off the menu (I, unfortunately, forgot to write their names down so bear with me). The black woman sitting immediately to my left engaged in conversation with me; we talked about various things (including my November’s Journey), and then she asked me if I liked “fruity drinks.” I laughed and asked if she was talking about drinks that are more sweeter? She said yes. It was at this moment I realized something about myself: I love “fruity drinks.” A few months ago I went out with a woman who was a bit older than myself and when the waitress came over to take our orders, the woman ordered a red wine, and I ordered a “Sex on the Beach.” She looked at me and laughed. I still have not heard from that woman. When I told my boy, he mentioned how men are supposed to drink alcohol beverages like Bourbon, and that is probably why I did not hear from her because of the choice of drink I ordered. After telling the young lady this story in SoCo’s, I realized I forced myself to like drinks like bourbon because I was told that’s what others expected I should like as a man. Just before I was going to place my order for my “fruity” drink, I was reminded of my conversation earlier with my mother, and I reiterated that conversation to the woman sitting next to me and instantly she said: “NO! NO! NO! Listen to what you feel God is telling you. You don't need to drink any alcohol during this experience because it is a beautiful journey and you need to be completely aware of your surroundings at all times.” As they both got up to leave, I thanked the woman for telling me to trust in the journey without any external influences. I continued to sit at the bar and watch my beautiful black people enjoy each others company. 

As I was walking home I was listening to “Breathing Underwater” by Emeli Sandé and all I could think about was with every single day I am on this journey I feel more liberated, and I feel my heart beginning to heal

Thank you, SiCo for being a part of my journey. I look forward to coming back with a date one day!

#whichblackownedrestaurantisnext