The Hinge Experiment: Why It Gotta Be Black? 🐓🍷

I made it to Columbia, South Carolina!

Traffic slowed me down a little, but I still made good time. I planned to meet Airica at 6:30 p.m., and I estimated I'd arrive at 5:15 p.m.

That left me with some time to kill. I'd planned to stop at Starbucks, mess around, and see some of the sights in West Columbia.

Then came the text.

"Where are you?"

I responded through Android Auto that I was about 15 minutes away, with an ETA of 5:15.

The response?

"Go on by."

Well, okay then! Starbucks and sightseeing would have to wait. I was heading to pick up Airica.

And that brings us to the latest chapter of The Hinge Experiment, featuring a steakhouse, a cheese board, some excellent conversation, and one very important question:

Why it gotta be black?

Great Minds, Steak Alike

Earlier, while I was packing for the cruise, Airica and I talked on the phone. She was driving and using Bluetooth, and we talked about where to go for dinner.

At dialysis, I'd done a little research. Airica likes steak, so I searched for steak restaurants in the Columbia area. One place kept coming up with great reviews on The Google: Black Rooster.

I mentioned it to her.

Her reaction? She was thinking the same thing!

As it turns out, she'd already been there by herself, taking herself out on a date.

I like that. Taking yourself out, enjoying a meal, and not waiting for someone else to make plans is a good thing.

But now I'm wondering: Are the planets aligned? Is the universe trying to tell me something? Did somebody at NASA change the coordinates?

Or did two people who enjoy a good meal independently come up with the same restaurant?

Let's not get carried away. I tend to overthink things, and I have a cruise to catch.

I picked up Airica, and seven minutes later, we were at Black Rooster.

Parking was easy, the interior was cool, and we were ready to eat.

The Cheese Board: A Very Important Discovery

The service was fantastic from the start.

Airica loves cheese, so we naturally ordered the cheese board.

It featured three distinctive cheeses: a soft cheese, a blue cheese, and a hard cheese. The server did an excellent job explaining and presenting everything.

I'm always impressed when someone takes the time to make the dining experience more than just putting food on a plate.

And when I’m dining with someone who appreciates cheese, I don't interfere with the cheese situation.

I just go with it.

For our entrées, Airica ordered the Steak Frites, while I chose the Shrimp and Polenta.

Both meals were enjoyable, and mine came with a little kick.

I'd asked about the heat level because one of the ingredients was a chile. I was warned, and I responded that I would "take my chances."

Famous last words.

It was bearable, but it was about as hot as I'm willing to go. Yes, I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food. I know my limitations, and I prefer to enjoy my meal rather than have my taste buds file a formal complaint.

We also shared Brussels sprouts.

They were good, but I thought they could have used some bacon. Apparently, my culinary philosophy is that bacon can improve many vegetables.

I'm not saying that's scientifically proven.

I'm just saying the Brussels sprouts and I had a meeting, and bacon was one of the recommendations.

The Great Beverage Disappointment

Now we get to the one area where Black Rooster and I disagreed a little.

The restaurant serves Coca-Cola products, but it didn't have Coke Zero.

Strike one.

My second choice is usually San Pellegrino. No luck there, either.

Airica's preferred drink is a half-and-half. I learned that on our first date, so I already knew her go-to order.

Unfortunately, they didn't have iced tea.

Strike three!

Apparently, the beverage department and I weren't on the same page.

Of course, no restaurant can be everything to everyone. The food was good, the service was phenomenal, and we had a wonderful evening.

But if anyone from Black Rooster reads this, I'm just saying a Coke Zero would make me very happy.

And possibly a San Pellegrino.

I'm not asking for much. Just options for a man who has very specific beverage requirements.

Conversation, Connection, and a Cruise on the Horizon

The best part of the evening wasn't the cheese board or the shrimp and polenta.

It was the conversation.

We talked about our days, my upcoming cruise, all the preparation involved, and what I would be doing about dialysis while I was away.

Traveling with end-stage renal disease requires planning. Dialysis doesn't simply disappear because I want to take a vacation. I have to think about scheduling, treatment arrangements, and the potential risks involved.

I take it seriously, even when I'm joking about everything else.

We also talked about Halloween and whatever else came up naturally.

That's one of the things I've enjoyed about spending time with Airica. We can talk, laugh, ask questions, share experiences, and learn more about each other.

I'm not trying to predict the future or assign a meaning to every little thing. Well, I'm trying not to.

Sometimes I succeed.

Sometimes my brain opens a new spreadsheet.

But I appreciate that we're making time for each other and continuing to get to know one another.

The S'mores Were Calling My Name

We skipped dessert.

The S'mores dessert looked fantastic on paper, and under normal circumstances, I might have been tempted.

But after the cheese board, our entrées, and the Brussels sprouts, I had reached my food capacity.

Some moments in life require difficult decisions.

Tonight, the decision was between S'mores and being able to breathe comfortably.

I chose breathing.

The S'mores will have to wait for another day.

The Gift and My Suspicious Influence

After dinner, we headed back, and the drive was fantastic.

More conversation, more time together, and eventually, the inevitable goodbye.

Before we parted ways, I left Airica with a gift.

And here's where I'm going to be a little mysterious.

The gift was a hint that I'm beginning to introduce her to one of my addictions.

No, not anything illegal. Settle down!

I'm talking about one of those interests that can start innocently enough and then suddenly take over your life.

What is it?

You'll have to wait and see.

Let's just say that if she gets hooked, I may have created a monster.

And I accept absolutely no responsibility.

Okay, maybe a little.

The Return Trip Is Already on the Calendar

We also made plans for me to see Airica when I return from the cruise.

I'll fly back into Charlotte and land around 2:30 p.m. From there, it's roughly a two-hour drive, followed by dinner, some awesome conversation, and then the drive home.

Because apparently, I haven't driven enough miles lately.

My car is probably wondering why I keep calling it a vehicle when it has become my primary travel companion.

Still, I'm looking forward to seeing her again.

We have busy schedules, travel plans, and responsibilities. Finding time to spend together takes a little effort, but I'm grateful we're making it happen.

The Hinge Experiment continues, one dinner and one road trip at a time.

But Seriously... Why It Gotta Be Black?

Now, let's return to the most pressing question of the evening.

Why is it called Black Rooster?

I still don't know.

I also had no idea roosters could be black.

Of course, a quick reality check: roosters can absolutely have black feathers. Some breeds have entirely black plumage, and some even have black skin and other dark features.

So the name isn't biologically impossible.

But I still want to know the story behind the restaurant's name.

Is there a rooster involved? Was there a legendary black rooster in the neighborhood? Did somebody just think it sounded cool?

I may never know.

For now, I'll remember Black Rooster as the place where Airica and I independently thought of the same restaurant, enjoyed a great meal, had a wonderful conversation, and discovered our beverage preferences aren't entirely compatible with the menu.

Not a bad Wednesday evening!

And now, on to Tampa and the cruise.

Stay tuned. The Hinge Experiment is going places.

Literally. 🚗🚢