SMOCHAS FINE DINING AND CANNABIS LOUNGE

SMOCHAS

FINE DINING AND CANNABIS LOUNGE

Compe Lockwood

Public service announcement: Do not continue reading this if hungry. SMOCHAS Fine Dining and Cannabis Lounge only makes food cravings worse— or better, as the case may be. Indeed, the restaurant now two years in the running is a happy place of food, fellowship, and— for those who partake —cannabis.

First, let us savor the food: “We change out entrees a few times a year,” says SMOCHAS owner DarkEbony Mocha. “Currently, we are using the Beyou food primarily, but the new dishes will be SMOCHAS originals.”

A customer favorite is Lobster Piquant, but every entrée is a work of art, literally. The designs are so real the lobsters could pinch –and with enough cannabis, they probably do. Or take the boneless heart-shaped premium center cut steak in a Roma seasoned sauce, cooked to the perfection of cyber dreams.

The Chicken Mezzalune is creamed chickenstuffed pasta dough with Italian herbs and vodka sauce. For poultry submerged in vodka sauce never cries fowl.

Those are but three delectable dishes from an equally delectable eatery. And then there is upstairs. The second floor takes one to a higher place by design.

“After a great meal, if guests want to, they can go up to the lounge to enjoy our cannabis products,” DarkEbony adds. “There are people who come here just for the lounge. It is kind of like a happy hour feel. But most add the lounge to their dinner reservation.” SMOCHAS was one of Ms. Mocha’s business but I wanted something different, too,” the owner recalls about the early days and the April 2020 start up. She entered the virtual dining experience with an innovative idea. Visionary.

“Two things I know people love,” DarkEbony says, “eating and cannabis.” So why not offer both?

Downstairs is the elegant restaurant, with formal or semi-formal dress required. Upstairs is a bar, booths, and tables. An array of cannabis edibles and smokes are displayed on trays for patron enjoyment. Some partake. Others are here just for the fellowship and ambiance.

Ms. Mocha’s creative master plan was not easily implemented. “The hardest thing was bringing what I can think of in RL to the SL world,” she notes. “The challenge is bringing things in world without the most important parts getting lost in the translation.”

There would be a trial by fire. Just as is the case in most in RL restaurant startups, SMOCHAS had opening day glitches, as well. “I had no restaurant experience,” DarkEbony recalls. “We learned so many things at the grand opening. Every table was full that day.

The place was packed, and we could barely move. It was good seeing all of those people, but I was having a fit,” she laughs.

Fortunately, the cyber restauranter was prepared. She and the SMOCHAS team learned how to reserve tables, work the crowd, and other culinary tips. She also learned about cannabis.

she interviewed those who have. Her restaurant’s recreational cannabis animations are based on the experiences of others. “We have the details worked right down to the cough.” Today, SMOCHAS is bustling. The restaurant, design, layout, color scheme is bright and beautiful. Elegance is abundant in both patrons, employees, and the building itself.

A bright red carpet offers a welcoming path through the facility. Rooms and nooks are at every turn as if waiting discovery. Seating accommodates large parties down to intimate dinners for two. Approximately 8 to 10 servers await. SMOCHAS staffers immerse themselves in the roleplay experience.

“I have been the Operations Manager at SMOCHAS since its inception,” says J. Ziporiah Monroe. “My SMOCHAS management experience is something I take special care with and personally value.”

She adds, “Being a native introvert, I find that I am socially nourished by my contact with staff and customers, because my level of service directly impacts the amount of joy to be had in the SMOCHAS experience.

SMOCHAS client-base is incredibly diverse, and the exposure to so many cultures and languages is rich and interesting to me. A SMOCHAS experience adds variety to opportunities of social engagement on the grid and pairs some of any human’s favorite things: food and herbal elevation!”

In addition, there is live entertainment including “Elevate at SMOCHAS,” a monthly live event with real singers and dancing.

The restaurant is open Thursday – Sunday, 5 – 8 pm SLT, and their walk-in hours are 5- 7 pm on those nights. Reservations are required. Today, DarkEbony leaves the day-to-day operations and serving to managers and staff. “I’m more of a backup,” she says. “If I am needed, I am here. But Lord knows I’m not half the server they are,” she smiles, referring to her excellent staff. evolving, changing, growing. New entrees are constantly added to the menu. Bon Appetit!