We are going back to North Carolina for today’s post. I’m letting you guys in on a little secret, a hidden gem, a foodie dream, and a place we have experienced some of the best dishes we have ever eaten. I’ve been meaning to write about SoCo for a while, actually, since I started the blog, but I have such a hard time describing it. I cannot do it justice, but here goes anyway…
SoCo is a small farm to table restaurant not in Raleigh or Durham, but about an hour east of Raleigh in Wilson, NC. Actually, it’s not really even in Wilson, it’s outside of Wilson, on a farm. We have had some of the most memorable dishes/ meals here. The restaurant/farm is run by Kimberly and Jeremy, a husband and wife team. Beyond the fantastic food, it is what makes up the idea of SoCo and the resulting ambience. When I say farm, I mean an actual farm, they have animals and grow a ton of their own produce that makes its way to your dinner. I’m amazed at the sheer amount of work and love these two put into SoCo. You aren’t just going to a restaurant, you are stepping into their self-made dream.
The food is an experience. Every component is thought out to create a dish that sings, every ingredient is treated and cooked to it’s best. You won’t find a plate that is just a meat with a side, oh no, all the parts come together to create the perfect bite when eaten as one. Jeremy respects the food, he understands the food, and he knows exactly where it came from. All of this comes across in the dishes he creates. If you get a chance to talk to Jeremy or Kimberly you will quickly realize their level of commitment to sourcing local and to producing the best plate they can. I have been awed, every single time by Jeremy’s level of creativity. He goes beyond putting simple, good quality ingredients on a plate, he starts with the best, and then elevates it to something else. We have had a piece of marinated watermelon (pictured below) that reminded me of tuna tartar in texture, meals paired with beer that actually changes the taste of the beer (in a good way), and sauces that I wanted to lick from the plate. With a regularly changing menu, there are always new flavors to experience. Truly, truly some of the best dishes we have ever had!!
We are so grateful for the wonderful times we had at their place, we have been twice for the chef’s table and twice to their dining room. If you have enough foodie friends, try to grab the chef’s table…it’s such a fun experience to get to see them at work and a great, relaxing environment to share with friends. SoCo holds a special place for P and I; having toasted our engagement (after the fact), our wedding (the day after), a birthday, and our 1st wedding anniversary there. I know we will be back to enjoy a meal there again. Each and every time Jeremy and Kimberly have been so welcoming…the last time Jeremy let me sneak a few shots of him at work in the kitchen. He might have played it up a little for the camera 🙂
These are people who have a passion for food, farming, and a certain way of life that is built into SoCo. This is an experience that is hard to come by. If you are remotely in the area, I would urge you to go experience SoCo yourself. I’m sure this is a meal you won’t soon forget, because it is more than just a meal.
You will notice I linked a few areas to their webpage, so you can read more about SoCo. If you are wondering about their food, I encourage you to check out their Facebook page, as they post many of their current mouth-watering dishes there.
