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Weekend Rehash – Family Time

What an awesome weekend! Like I mentioned in Friday’s post, Niel and Neelam, my BIL and his girlfriend, visited, and we had a blast.

Let’s start from the beginning…

FRIDAY

Friday started off with the usual routine – drop K off at school, work out, Trader Joe’s run.

But then for 1.5 hours, I deviated from the norm and met up a blog reader and new friend, Mira. We met up for a coffee and probably could’ve chatted for another hour. We talked about everything from new motherhood to mom guilt to making mom friends to everything in between. It was such a refreshing meet-up because we were on the same wave length about so much. I’m so happy we made the time to meet. Here’s to next time and more authentic friendships.

I spent the rest of my afternoon cleaning and prepping dinner (lasagna!). Vishnu got home a little earlier than normal, so we hung out before it was time to get Kaiden and before N&N arrived.

The rest of the evening was spent eating, playing, and talking. Even I went to bed a lot later than usual!

SATURDAY

Saturday morning started with made from scratch pancakes (sharing the recipe soon).

We then got ready and headed to the post office to submit an application for K’s passport. He’s doing some international travel later this year!

After finishing up there, we got some coffee, walked around the River Walk, and then headed to Sienna Tavern for brunch (so yum!).

Kaiden fell asleep on the walk home for like five minutes which obviously means he didn’t have to nap at all the rest of the day. Grrrr…

It all worked out because we rented a boat for the afternoon with Niel, Neelam, my sister and my BIL, so while K was tired, he still rallied. If you’re ever in Chicago, I highly recommend renting a pontoon boat and heading out on the river. And guess who captained our boat?! ME! My sister took over towards the end because my back hurt, but it was a ton of fun!

We planned on playing some games after K went to bed, but our Door Dash order never showed after 1.5 hours, so the evening went a little south in terms of that. Still a fun day overall!

SUNDAY

Vishnu and N&N took Kaiden to the park in the morning so I could clean, cook, and have some alone time.

Luckily, Kaiden took a 2.5 hour nap which means the rest of us did as well. This mama was tired!

We then scratched our afternoon plans to visit the beach and headed out to get some gelato instead. Perfect idea on a hot Chicago day!

And now we start a new week with new adventures! Happy Monday, y’all.

Weekend Rehash – Beautifully Simple

written by Parita Leave a Comment

I love simple weekends. Ones where we have a few things scheduled but not too much that it feels overwhelming. This was definitely one of those weekends. It was beautifully simple!

FRIDAY

You guys know my usual Friday routine. This one was no different…just a little toned down.

I worked out after dropping K off at daycare, I then made a quick Trader Joe’s Trip. After putting everything away and cleaning up a bit, I headed to my sister’s place for a fun afternoon sister-sister date! We went to a new cafe in her neighborhood and then sat on her couch and talked for two hours. I love my sissy!

I came home and made Ministry of Curry’s Chana Saag and then went and got my little boo!

He was in a great mood after school, so we played and danced until dinnertime. I let him go after it with a cup of Greek yogurt and khichdi, which he did as evidenced by his yogurt face!

Vishnu had a work dinner, so I just relaxed on the couch and a glass of wine. Perfecto! Also, should add that I was asleep on the couch by 9:00 pm. Ha!

SATURDAY

Saturday started off with a cycling class at the gym. So sweaty, so fun!

I then got ready to head out to our friend Ashley’s birthday brunch. Because the timing of this overlapped with K’s nap time, Vishnu and I decided to divide and conquer. I would go to brunch, and he would hang out with the gang afterwards (drinks, etc.).

This worked well, although I wish Vishnu could’ve made it to brunch. This is what happens when you only have one babysitter in rotation. Need to work on that!

The rest of the day was fun and uneventful. I was pretty tired though, so I fell asleep on the couch at 7:45. Vishnu claims I was snoring, but there’s no proof so I don’t believe him!

SUNDAY

Sunday was a really fun day because we got up, got ready, and headed out to the museum campus area near the lake. While it was incredibly hot out, we loved walking along Lake Michigan, around Millennium Park, and down Michigan Avenue.

Kaiden even got to kick his soccer ball around!

The rest of the day followed suit. K took a 2 hour (to the tee) nap, I took an hour nap, and we hung out and chilled at home. Our night ended with episode 6 of Big Little Lies

*This is not to say we didn’t have moments of frustration during the weekend because trust me we did. But I’m choosing to focus on the good because overall it was a really good weekend!

Date Night at Girl and the Goat | Chicago

written by Parita 4 Comments

Girl and the Goat has been on Vishnu’s ‘to try’ list of Chicago restaurants for a very long time. In fact, whenever I’d suggest a date night out, his first question would be, “Does Girl and the Goat have any open reservations?” To which I’d reply, “Yes. 10/11 pm on a random Wednesday three months from now.”

Well, my determined husband happened to be looking at Open Table one day and found a more reasonable reservation for us – (a random) Tuesday at 6:45 pm. With my sister free to baby sit (i.e. watch Kaiden sleep!), we decided to go with it!

To be totally honest, I wasn’t expecting to love the vegetarian food at Girl and the Goat. Why? Mainly because they are known for the meat dishes. But let me tell you – I was blown away by how fresh, well-balanced, and truly delicious every element of our meal tasted. A feast to remember!

Vishnu and I started with drinks (sparkling rose for me and an old fashioned for him) and an order of the sourdough bread with a side of whipped feta and red onion mostarda (a creamy dipping sauce). My rose was on point, Vishnu loved his drink as well, but let’s talk about this whipped feta for a second. I need a tub of this by my side at all times. It was so creamy and tangy and the perfect spread for the crusty sourdough bread…and I’m sure anything else you can find that’s dippable.

Vishnu and I decided to share one more vegetarian item before digging into our entrees. Based on a recommendation my friend Jigna shared with me, we ordered the roasted cauliflower. OH-EM-GEE! I’m totally ordering this as my main entree the next time we eat here. If you’re not a cauliflower fiend, you may be wondering what the hype is all about. You guys! The char on this cauliflower…the tenderness…the pine nuts…and the pickled veggies and jalapenos. It all came together to form the perfect bites. I could not get over how tasty this little dish was! A must order in my humble opinion.

For my main entree, I decided on the green garlic pierogies that came with a sour cream and scallion + tomato relish on the side. The portion size was definitely on the smaller side (4 pierogies per order), but it was the perfect amount for me given we ordered a couple of things to share. My favorite part of this dish was the sour cream sauce and the relish. They paired so well together and when eaten with the tender pierogie and creamy filling, it was pure magic!

For his main dish, Vishnu ordered the crisp braised pork shank. In his own words, this was the most tender pork he’s ever had. Super juicy too. I was able to try the dipping sauces and loved them both – the kimchi one was incredible…so unique! And the naan was the softest and fluffiest I’ve ever tried. I don’t think Vishnu regretted his choice by any means!

Any finally, no meal out would be complete without a little something sweet! Vishnu put me in charge of picking our final course, and of course, I went for the one with all the chocolate. Our waiter even confirmed that it was the best one on the menu! You guys, this chocolate pavlova with sesame whip cream, brittle, and ice cream was out of this world and SO unique. The actual pavlova was essentially one huge macaroon, and the crispy edges were everything! My favorite part (no surprise!) was the creamy chocolate caramel sauce. It wasn’t too sweet or even too chocolaty, but it really brought the whole dessert together.

While the food was clearly fantastic, I should also mention the wonderful service we experienced. Our waiter was incredibly helpful and very timely with everything, and I personally loved how he checked in at all the right moments to make sure we were ‘loving our dishes.’

Girl and the Goat, we shall meet again…when Vishnu finds another random weekday reservation! But seriously, every Chicagoan/visitor needs to try this restaurant. AMAZING all around!

Rewind and Fast Forward

written by Parita 3 Comments

REWIND

As you all know, HFMD (Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease) took over my little guy’s body. Based on what I read and what friends told me, I think K’s version was mild compared to what could’ve been. Apparently, this thing can get pretty severe and painful. He had some bumps on his hands and face, but other than that, he was ok. And luckily, everything started clearing up by Wednesday.

Early last week, Vishnu started complaining about chills and a really bad sore throat. I was positive he caught HFMD from Kaiden, but (again) luckily, I think he had strep. He felt much better after starting on antibiotics. And even though strep sucks, I hear the adult version of HFMD is absolutely awful.

Moving on from sick talk…

Vishnu’s mom and I share something pretty big in common. We both love food – cooking it, eating it, trying new things, watching any food related television, etc. I’ve enjoyed introducing her to new recipes and ways of cooking over the past few weeks. For example, this past Friday, she tried Trader Joe’s cauliflower crust pizza and loved it! I’ve also made a few recipes in the Instant Pot she’s ended up loving.

On Saturday, Vishnu and I went out for some St. Patty’s Day fun. Well, we had very loose plans and decided to go with the flow. We stopped by our friend Rohit’s place as he was having a little get together/party. After a bit of chit chat, we headed back out to meet my sister, BIL, and a few friends at a restaurant turned club. You guys…it’s been a minute since I’ve been out like this. I will say, after a bit of “we’re only going to stay for 20 minutes,” we ended up having a lot of fun. The music was on point, and the company was even better! Vishnu and I stayed for maybe an hour before heading out, grabbing a bite to eat, and making our way home at 9:00 pm (ha!). The best part? We walked everywhere! No car, no Ubers, no cabs. The weather was bearable (a little warm even). Spring is on it’s way (FINGERS CROSSED!).

Sunday included a lot of food prep (for us and for Kaiden), a visit to my sister’s place to play, and Costa Rica packing. Productive x 10!

FAST FORWARD

Vishnu’s mom leaves on Tuesday evening. I’m already super sad. Ha! I think her absence will really hit us when we get back from Costa Rica. The other night, I said to Vishnu, “I don’t remember what it’s like without help.” To which he replied, “I can help.” I meant help for both of us. He cracks me up! We’ll be ok though!

Not really a fast forward but something worth mentioning – One of the reasons we’ll be ok is because Kaiden is finally sleeping through the night (ish)! [Knocking on all the wood.] He’ll occasionally wake up crying unable to go back to sleep, but all he needs is his pacifier (which is by his legs at this point in the night). I really really really hope this continues because I haven’t felt this fresh and awake in a long time!

We leave for Costa Rica on Wednesday. Ahhhh! I’m actually super excited now and can’t wait to explore a new country with my besties! We have a packed agenda full of so many adventures – a 10 hour hike, ATVing, white water rafting, waterfall repelling, and zip-lining. Send LOTS of courageous vibes this way please. I can’t wait to tell you guys all about it!

I’m also super excited for Kaiden to spend time with my parents in Atlanta. As my sister likes to remind me, it’ll be good for both of us. We’re a little attached to each other!

And finally, after a crazy Q1 2018, I’m ready to take back the rest of the year! I’m formulating a plan in my head right now about how to do this and plan to blog about my efforts. This will likely include some hopefully positive changes in the diet, exercise, organization, play, reading, blogging, relationship, and likely more areas of my life. I just feel like everything went off track in small ways over the past few months. Life happens, of course, but now it’s time to make the most of the rest of the year.

Well, that’s all she wrote. Happy Monday! I’ll chat with you in a few days, hopefully more rested and a little more tan. 🙂

Brunch with a Side of Incredible Service at Farmhouse | Chicago

written by Parita Leave a Comment

Given the choice of breakfast, lunch, or dinner, I will always rebel and choose brunch. There’s something about brunch food that gets me excited to eat. For one, who doesn’t love eggs covered in cheese with a side of crispy breakfast potatoes. Or if you’re in the mood for something sweet, a stack of fluffy pancakes with a side of sweet syrup. Ummm…yum!

A weird fun (?) fact about me – I love looking at restaurant menus, even those in different cities I have yet to visit. And brunch menus are a personal favorite!

If you live in Chicago or have ever visited, you know this city takes the brunch game to the next level. There are so many amazing options to choose from. I don’t think we’ll be able to cover them all by the time our next move comes around. Insane!

Farmhouse definitely takes brunch (and food in general) seriously! The menu is filled with fresh, local, and carefully selected ingredients. While not healthy by any means, it’s the kind of food you feel good eating. It feeds your belly and your soul!

I’ve had the pleasure of eating at Farmhouse several times and have yet to be disappointed. However, our most recent dining experience topped them all.

Let’s start with the food…

Vishnu, my friend Jigna, and I started by sharing an order of the cheese curds. OH MY! Little bites of gooey, perfectly battered heaven. These bad boys are fried but still very light. Literally melt in your mouth perfection. This dish is also served with two dipping sauce – homemade ketchup and spicy ‘curd’ sauce. The ‘curd’ sauce, as strange and unappetizing as it sounds, is the perfect condiment for cheese curds and anything else you want to dip in it!

For my main meal, I ordered the Vegetable Hash. Trust me when I say, the name of this dish doesn’t do it justice. My bowl was filled with Fall vegetables like Brussel Sprouts, squash, tomatoes, and green beans and topped with perfectly cooked scrambled eggs (the way I like my eggs!) and a spicy horseradish cheese. On the side, I enjoyed spicy breakfast potatoes that were crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.

Vishnu ordered the Midwestern Autumn Salad with chicken. He let me sneak a bite of the veggies before he dug in. I loved the flavors and textures, especially the cabbage, apples, goat cheese and pecans. Definitely recreating this at home!

Jigna ordered the Salmon Benedict and judging from the beautiful presentation and the fact that Jigs finished her meal, I think it was a pretty delicious dish.

So that’s the food…as you can see, you really can’t go wrong!

Now let me tell you about our service experience. In one word, it was surprising and heartwarming!

The last time I ate at Farmhouse was back when I was probably eight months pregnant. A college friend of mine was in town and suggested we meet for brunch. I remember our waiter being really funny and kind, but that’s about it. Well, guess what?! We ended up with the same person this time around, and the only way I know is because he actually remembered me! He asked about the baby, so I proceeded to show him a few pictures of Kaiden! And then, to top it off, he didn’t charge us for the cheese curds as a way to say congratulations. Ummm…who does that kind of stuff anymore?! The staff at Farmhouse that’s who! Vishnu and I (and Jigna) were blown away by this small act.

So not only did we have a great meal, but we also left touched by the thoughtfulness (and memory) of our great waiter!

Ernesto’s Chilaquiles at Nookies | Chicago

written by Parita 2 Comments

Three Chicago neighborhoods are lucky enough to call Nookies home (Old Town, Lincoln Park, and Edgewater). Serving delicious and comforting food guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eater’s taste buds, Nookies’ menu covers the gamut in terms of flavor.

When it comes to eating out, I can be creature of habit. What can I say? When I find something I absolutely love, I stick with it. Consistency, baby!

This is certainly true when eating at Nookies. I’ve now dined there five times, and all five times, Ernesto’s Chilaquiles have been part of my meal in some shape or form. Yes, they’re that good!

Side note – if I were to ever meet this Ernesto, I would give him a hug and then pester him until he gave me the recipe for his chilaquiles!

Traditionally, chilaquiles include fried tortillas, salsa, and cheese served with eggs and beans. Ernesto’s are no different in terms of composition, but they take the cake in terms of flavor. The tortillas and eggs (scrambled but not overly) are layered with generous amounts of cheese and smothered in perfectly spiced sauce. All of this deliciousness is served alongside [the creamiest] refried beans, rice, and sour cream.

One of my favorite parts of this dish include the eggs and tortillas. As Thea (who’s now been to Nookies twice!) said, you really can’t tell the difference between the two. It all just melts in your mouth! I also LOVE the beans. When I say they’re the creamiest, I mean it! I want to swim in them will simultaneously stuffing my face by the handful. Ha!

I felt the need to share about Ernesto’s Chilaquiles because a lot of my readers live in Chicago, and those who don’t will likely (or at least they should) visit at some point. And if/when you get the chance, you must put Nookies at the top of your must try restaurant list.

While I won’t be ordering anything different anytime soon, the menu is full of other great options as well. I’ve tried the veggie croissant sandwich and the crepes (both excellent), and Vishnu really enjoys the meaty skillets. But if you want the ultimate delicious meal, go with the chilaquiles and thank me later!

Your turn. Are you a fan of chilaquiles? What’s your go to brunch dish?

The Blissful Veggie + Native Foods Cafe

written by Parita 3 Comments

So I have a problem. I like to do ALL the things, in that I’ve always been a ‘I love my plate tipping over’ kind of person. Until I realize it’s not possible to do all the things and do them well. Let’s take The Blissful Veggie (TBV) as an example.

I started TBV earlier this year with the hopes of creating a space for veggie friendly restaurant reviews. Great idea in theory. But when you’re pregnant and have a blog you already post fairly regularly to and have a full time job, it’s a bit much…even for me! Also, I totally didn’t take into account the fact that after you have a baby meals out are kind of a once in a blue moon type of event. At least for the time being. If we don’t go out to eat, I don’t have any content to share!

So with that being said, TBV is coming to an end…for now. However, I still love sharing and writing restaurant reviews so that won’t stop. When we get a chance to try new restaurants, AND I remember to take a few decent pics, I’ll share my foodie adventures on MIS.

* * * * *

With all of that being said, here’s a restaurant review I’ve been wanting to share.

Native Foods Cafe is a vegan restaurant Thea (my coworker and friend) and I frequent a lot. Mind you, Thea is a not a vegetarian, yet she loves this place as much as I do.

Because we’re basically the same person (just kidding, she’s a lot cooler than me!), we always order the same few things and share. On our most recent visit, we convinced our coworker Lamia to come with us. We’re always looking to spread the Native Foods love!

Lamia was happy to go with the flow, so Thea and I decided to stick with our favorites – the Native Nachos + guacamole + the seitan taco meat and a side of sweet potato fries + the spicy and creamy dipping sauce. Because there were three of us this time, we also ordered Native Chicken Wings with a side of creamy ranch. And of course, you can’t go to Native Foods without contemplating dessert. Our contemplation pointed to a ‘duh,’ so we ended up getting the Peanut Butter Parfait.

SO MUCH GOODNESS!

The following pictures will speak for themselves, but the food here is finger licking good.

The nachos are perfectly prepared with a variety of delicious toppings, including the best “cheese” sauce. I also love the balance of textures and flavors – everything just ‘fits’ together. You may think you’re ordering the standard run of the mill nachos, but you’re wrong. These are super unique.

The sweet potato fries are great on their own, but what makes them extra special is the sauce. Every time we eat here, I’m tempted to ask someone the secret to making it taste so good. It’s so creamy and rich with a bit of spice mixed in. Love the sweet and savory play here!

This was my first time trying the chicken wings, and I must say, I’m a fan! Of course, they don’t taste like chicken, but the sauce gets you as close as possible given these are made of veggie protein. Again, the ranch dipping sauce makes these next level good. The balance of spice from the wing sauce and the cool ranch is perfect.

And finally, this dessert. It’s pretty incredible. I mean, peanut butter cream + chocolate + banana bread. And believe it or not, it’s pretty light!

If you live in the Chicagoland area (or are planning to visit), I highly recommend Native Foods Cafe. There’s truly something for everyone, vegan or not!

Your turn – do you have a favorite vegan/vegetarian restaurant in your city?