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Weekending It Chicago Style

I can’t believe I’ve been in Chicago for a week! I also can’t believe it’s already September. Umm…when did that happen!? As I was looking through my planner this afternoon, penciling in a bunch of key events/dates, I thought to myself, “2014 has been the busiest/fastest year yet.” Does anyone else feel this way?

Anyways, this was my first full weekend in Chicago (a long weekend at that), and I can honestly say I love this city. There’s so much to do, eat, and see! I feel like we’re only going to scratch the surface over the next few weeks!

First, I have to mention that the weather has been absolutely gorgeous. It’s hard to imagine it ever being cold and snowy. Personally, I think I brought the sunshine with me!

Next up, the food. Oh the food! Chicago is a food lovers paradise – there is no shortage of amazing restaurants.

Over the weekend, we tried Taco Burrito Express, a true hole in the wall that did not disappoint. My sister highly recommended it (she used to run 3 miles just to eat here!) and said she would be mad if I didn’t make the effort to go. Ankita and I shared a veggie burrito and tostadas – yum! Unlike most traditional Mexican restaurants, TBE uses all kinds of veggies in their dishes. Ours included zucchini and broccoli – unusual in a very good way!

Vishnu and I also enjoyed date night at Piece Pizza. This is definitely one of those must try restaurants if you’re a pizza lover. Not only is the food delicious – NY style pies – but the atmosphere is fun and laid-back. But be ready for a wait – this place gets packed!

We started with a couple of beers – Vishnu opted for one of Piece’s home brews while I chose something called Stiegl Radler (a grapefruit soda and beer blend). The pizza we ultimately decided to order was a traditional red (the BEST red sauce and mozzarella) with sautéed mushrooms, spinach, and ricotta. YUM!

I also enjoyed a couple of iced soy mochas from Caffe Streets on both Saturday and Sunday. The coffee to chocolate ratio was perfect (re: not too sweet). I really hope our neighborhood in Miami gets it together and opens up a place like this!

This weekend weekend was also the start to college football season. I watched the UGA vs. Clemson game and loved every minute of it! All I have to say is Todd Gurley is a beast! He dominated on the field and definitely helped seal the deal for a Georgia win!

I have a good feeling about this year! GOOO DAWGS!!!

Well, my first week here was filled with excellent meals, fun with friends, and some quality time with Vishnu! Here’s to another great week in the Windy City, which will include all of those things plus a little shopping!

Are you a college football fan?
What was the absolute best thing you ate this weekend?

RPM and Siena Tavern

written by Parita Leave a Comment

Needless to say, my first couple of days in Chicago have been nothing short of fun. Not only was I reunited with Vishnu after three weeks of living apart, but I also got to try two amazing Chicago restaurants!

RPM

My friend Ankita made a reservation for me and Vishnu at RPM for Monday night– our first date in three weeks (I am so dramatic)! This was my second time dining at RPM and Vishnu’s first.

Let’s just say this was the perfect way to kick off my month in Chicago! As we walked in, I couldn’t help but notice the chic décor – beautiful chandeliers, soft curtains – so romantic!

After being seated, we spent a few minutes deciding what to order. In the end, we decided to share a few different things.

We started out with two cocktails. I ordered a strawberry spritzer type of drink and Vishnu got a ginger blueberry drink – summer in a glass. When our waitress told us about the appetizer special, we knew that was what we had to have. I’ll describe it as best I can – mozzarella, ricotta, mascarpone, basil and tomato stuffed baby squash tempura battered and lightly fried. Essentially mozzarella sticks taken to the next level! For our entrees we ordered two dishes – eggplant parmesan (SO cheesy, so good!) and this seasonal corn pasta (little ‘purses’ stuffed with roasted corn, ricotta, and mascarpone in a light butter sauce). And the grand finale was light, fluffy donuts coated in cinnamon sugar served with two dipping sauces – Nutella and whipped mascarpone.

Warning – [crappy] iPhone pics ahead!

The food was just as delicious as I remembered! And every dish that passed by our table looked so good!

During dinner, Vishnu and I talked non-stop, catching each other up on life and planning other fun things to do in the city. I missed my man so much!

Siena Tavern

On Tuesday night, we went to Sierra Tavern, except this time it was a group date! Jayesh, Ankita, Samir, Roshni, Vishnu, and I spent the evening ~~stuffing our faces~~ eating and talking…and laughing. Oh the laughing!

No pics of food – just three lovely ladies!

This restaurant also has a very special, laid back vibe. The décor is unique and welcoming – perfect for a big group of people. And our server was very accommodating and offered lots of recommendations.

We were promptly seated. Then began the deliberations about what to order. We decided to order a few different things and share, which was the perfect plan because I got to try a little bit of everything!

We started with beers for the guys and sangria and wine for the girls. Food wise we ordered mushroom truffle pizza, shaved Brussels sprouts salad with almonds and some kind of cheese, potato gnocci in a cream sauce, and tagliatelle with mushrooms in a truffle sauce. Jayesh and Vishnu ordered a couple of meat dishes that they also loved! And of course, we had to order dessert – donuts! The difference between these donuts and the ones at RPM is that they were bigger and came with three sauces that you ‘infuse’ into the donut. Delicious and cool!

There is a reason why everyone was so hyped to eat here. The food is out of this world!

To all my fellow foodies, please make an effort to visit both of these restaurants the next time you are in Chicago. I promise you won’t regret it!

Have a great Wednesday!

Quick Update + The Liebster Award

written by Parita 5 Comments

While things have ramped down a little bit around here, I feel like they’re going to pick back up just like that. Between mine and Vishnu’s travel schedules for the rest of the year, things are going to be nuts! In the last week alone, I’ve booked four separate trips…and that’s just the beginning. Oy vey! More on all that to come later.

Vishnu and I finally got around to “celebrating” our 2nd wedding anniversary and 9th dating anniversary this week. Our original plan was to go out to a fancy shmancy restaurant for a meal that would have cost more than we’ve ever paid for food before. But luckily we came to our senses and decided to keep it low key and opted for Shake Shack instead. It was honestly what we both needed and wanted. He was exhausted from studying, and I had a busy day at work. All we wanted to do was eat decent food and talk…and Shake Shack delivered!

Vishnu got the Smokehouse burger and a B&W milkshake, while I ordered the Portobello burger and a PB + chocolate shake…with a side of fries to share of course.

Like I said, just what we needed!

An elevator selfie to remember the night!

After we got home, I sat down on the couch and didn’t get up for another hour or so. Why? Oh because I’m binge watching another show…New Girl. I have problems! But at least they’re fun problems! I am almost done with Season 1 and just now really beginning to love all the characters. I’m hoping I can stretch this show out until the new season premieres in September. We’ll see…I don’t exactly have the best record with this stuff!

On to the second part of this post!

Selena from Nom Nom Crunch nominated me for the Liebster Award, and she came up with 10 questions for me to answer. So here we go!!

What are your top 5 workout playlist songs?
I usually listen to podcasts when I workout and therefore haven’t updated my playlist in a VERY long time. But the five songs that always pump me up no matter what are…

1. Culo – Pitbull
2. Desi Girl (a Bollywood song)
3. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee
4. Give Me Everything – Pitbull
5. Wake Me Up – Avicii

I’m never in the know when it comes to music, so if you have any good recs, let me know!

What’s one food you wish you could learn to like?
Cilantro. Unfortunately, I’m a member of the “cilantro tastes gross” club. Event though I’m slowly coming around, it’s not something I would choose to eat given the option.

Your biggest pet peeve.
It’s hard to pick just one! Haha. But if I had to choose, I would say it’s when people are knowingly inconsiderate.

Your go-to snack.
It changes by the week, but recently it’s been Greek yogurt mixed together with a little bit of PB and honey. YUM.

Your favorite quote.
“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “woo hoo – what a ride!”

What is one thing you try to do every day?
As cheesy as it sounds…I try to laugh as much as possible everyday. Laughter really is exercise for the soul!

Name one TV show you feel guilty or embarrassed to admit you actually like.
The Bachelor/Bachelorette. Well, that’s a half truth. I’ve only ever watched one season all the way through, but I always try to tune in for the first episode and the last episode.

How and why did you pick your blog name?
I wanted to incorporate the Indian culture into my blog name, so that’s where the Shakti part comes from. The original plan was to go with just Inner Shakti, but Vishnu thought the My added a little bit to it and I agreed. Honestly, I wanted something that highlighted the fact that everything starts with us as individuals, especially what’s inside of us (not in the literal sense though). Anyways, that’s how My Inner Shakti was named!

What is your favorite workout? (Running? Yoga? Crossfit? Kettlebells?)
Hands down – running! It’s not always easy, but I find that it’s always worth it. I’ve never come home from a run and regretted it.

Who inspires you?
My husband, parents, sister, and grandparents are my biggest inspirations. But I try to find inspiration in everyone that I meet and connect with. I find that when I really pay attention, everyone has something to offer.

Thanks for nominating me, Selena! And have a great Friday everyone!

BacK in the A!

written by Parita 10 Comments

Just like that I’m back in Atlanta! As I mentioned before, I am here for Roshni and Samir’s wedding that is taking place later this week/weekend. I decided to fly home instead of going back to Miami so that I could spend some time with my parents before the festivities begin.

After my parents picked me up at the airport on Friday, we headed straight to Lotta Frutta for lunch. This place is my absolute favorite “welcome back to Atlanta” restaurant. The people are so friendly and the food is always good. Of course, I ordered the Just Veggin’ sandwich along with a Lotta Mora smoothie. Always a good time!

On Saturday, my parents and I headed into the city for lunch at Chai Pani for my MIL’s birthday. This was everyone’s first time eating here, and we all loved it! Phew! Because I suggested it, I was nervous about the food not being good. My grilled paneer salad was very good. The paneer was simply cooked and delicious, but the dressing stole the show. Delicious! My mom’s paneer wrap was also finger licking good. That is definitely what I’ll be getting next time!

After lunch, we went to an Indian jewelry to buy me a new…nose ring! I know I said I was done with all that, but when my mom said my nose looked strange without it, that was enough to make me change my mind! My new one is slightly bigger. I don’t want to risk having it get stuck again!

And the final highlight from the weekend was getting my nails done for the wedding! I went with a hot pinkish color on my toes and a gel French manicure on my hands. The lady that did my nails was the same one that did them two years ago for my wedding!

Speaking of the wedding, the first official event doesn’t start until Thursday evening, but I’m heading to Roshni’s house on Tuesday night to spend some time with her before the craziness begins! I think it’s safe to say that anyone who has come in contact with me over the past few months knows how excited I am. I honestly can’t shut up about it!

Well, that’s all for now! Have a great Monday!

Highlights From My Trip Home to Atlanta

written by Parita 11 Comments

Trips home always feel super quick. There’s never enough time to do everything any of us want. While this trip was similar in that way, we still did quite a bit all things considered.

– After picking me up from the airport on Wednesday, my mom and I drove to Vishnu’s house to have dinner with his parents. I wasn’t going to have another opportunity to see them on this trip, so we went straight there. It was fun as usual! Our dinnertime conversations never fail to make me laugh (A LOT!).

– My dad and I went back to the airport to pick up my sister on Thursday. That evening, when my parents left for a henna party, my sister and I went to Cold Stone for ice cream! I texted my sister last week telling her I wanted Coffee Oreo ice cream at some point during my trip. When it came time to decide where to go, Cold Stone was the perfect place because we could both create whatever flavor combinations we wanted. I went with coffee ice cream, Oreos, and fudge. Aekta got a mix of cake batter and cheesecake ice creams with brownie pieces.

– We made a day trip to Clyde, North Carolina on Friday. My mom got an email about a temple located on Mt. Soma, so we decided to make it a family trip. The drive was really scenic with the tree filled mountains being my favorite! The temple itself was on the smaller side, but the surrounding views were absolutely beautiful. If we lived closer, I could see myself visiting regularly.

– We tried two new restaurants over the weekend. Burger 21 was a Yelp find that turned out to be a winner all around. My mom and I split two different veggie burgers, while my dad and sister got their own chicken burgers. We also split sweet potato fries and regular fries (these came with a tasty cheese and ale sauce). I definitely want to get a milkshake next time…the Oreo one was calling my name!

On Saturday, my sister and I decided to take my parents to Antico in the city. Aekta and I had both been before when the restaurant first opened in 2009, but since my parents never really venture into the city on their own, we decided to make the drive down. And it was so worth it. The brick oven pizza is some of the best I’ve had in Atlanta. And the entire city agrees – not only was there a 15 minute line to get in, but we had to grab a table across the street because there was no indoor seating at the actual restaurant. YUM!

– My mom made Upma (a savory cream of wheat porridge of sorts), and it was so freaking good. It’s a little spicy, creamy, and very hearty. When I went to take a picture, my dad looked at me and said, “Parita, it’s just Upma.” JUST UPMA!? Maybe to him. Haha. I had a couple of (huge) servings on Thursday as well as on Saturday.

My mom also made her famous lasagna on Sunday before my flight. Her “secret” ingredient is a can of refried beans that she adds to the sauce to help thicken it up. It’s pretty much one of my favorite things to eat when I come home!

– I am officially obsessed with The Mindy Project. My sister, knowing I would love the show, asked if I wanted to watch it with her. She even offered to start with season 1 episode 1. I am now four episodes in and in love with Mindy. She’s a little annoying and I’m often embarrassed for her, but there’s something about her that’s easy to relate to and so fun! Seriously, start watching this show if you don’t already. My sister put it best when she said that it’s the perfect way to end a bad day because you’re guaranteed to laugh!

– And finally, I have some sad news. After 12 years of togetherness, my nose ring and I broke up. As I was brushing my teeth on Thursday morning, I noticed my nose ring looked funny. After a closer look, I realized it was literally stuck in my nose. When I tried to pull it out, the area around it started bleeding. After almost 1.5 HOURS, a few tears, some pain, and a little blood, I managed to pull my nose ring out with a pair of tweezers. My poor mom was by my side the entire time helping in any way she could. We were both SO relieved when it finally came out. And while I’ll miss having a nose ring, I’m not going to get a new one. I’m done! Thursday’s experience was pretty traumatic.

Have a great Wednesday!

Dinner at Cinquecento

written by Parita 10 Comments

We live in a very bustling, up-and-coming neighborhood full of different restaurants, bars, etc. Luckily for us, everything is within walking distance. It’s a nice perk to have. However, I will be the first to admit that when it comes to these restaurants not one really sticks out as an OMG-I-want-to-eat-here-everyday type of place. Most people would disagree, but then again, they probably aren’t vegetarian.

So, you can imagine how excited I was when I learned about Cinquecento via one of my favorite Miami Instagram accounts. I think the picture that drew me in was of a cheesy slice of pizza with a caption that read “Best pizza in Miami.” Obviously, my immediate reaction was to go online, find the exact location and memorize the menu. I’m kidding about that last part…kind of!

Anyways. Location – check! Menu – check!

I didn’t think we’d actually get a chance to eat here until after Vishnu’s exams. But yet again, the prospect of eggs on a Saturday night changed that rather quickly. I mentioned Cinquecento to Vishnu, and he agreed that it sounded like a good dinner option, especially since it’s so close by.

The first thing I noticed about the restaurant was the big option outdoor seating area – perfect for large groups. I loved it so much that we decided to be seated outside. That is until the mosquitos decided we were dinner. Then we moved inside.

The inside of the restaurant is very cozy and reminiscent of a small European café. I loved the open feel, the black and white artwork on the walls, and the prominent brick oven. When more people learn about Cinquecento, I can see there being a long wait due to the space restraints. But luckily it was perfect when we went.

Our bubbly waitress told us more about the restaurant while we sipped on our Peronis.

The restaurant has only been open in Brickell for a month (hence the empty feel). Everything is made in-house – the pizza dough, the Panini bread, the pastas, the gelato…everything! In fact, the front corner of the restaurant is usually occupied by the pasta maker where he shows off his skills for customers! Oh and wine bottles are 50% off every Wednesday – I think we need to go back on hump day!

After hearing all of this, we were eager to order. The menu is full of so many delicious options – salads, burgers, paninis, pastas, pizzas, calzones, empanadas, etc. I ultimately went with the Mozza Fresca pizza – tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, basil, and truffle oil. Vishnu was craving pasta, so he decided to go with the special – short rib ravioli in a creamy mushroom sauce.

The pizza was everything brick oven pizza should be. The crust was light and airy with a nice crunch. I could tell the sauce was simply made with tomatoes, a little garlic, and oregano. And the creamy mozzarella and truffle oil (oh the truffle oil!) were perfection.

As far as Vishnu’s dish was concerned, I wish I had video of him taking his first bite. It was awesome! He said it was one of the best things he’s tasted, and I believe him. The meat was tender, the pasta was al dente and perfectly cooked, and the sauce was a little spicy. Meat + Pasta = Happy Husband!

And of course we couldn’t leave without trying the famous gelato! After trying four different flavors, I decided on the Oreo gelato and let Vishnu pick the second flavor (Swiss Chocolate). You would think that two people who just indulged on some delicious Italian food, would not be able to eat more than a few bites of dessert. But no – we ate it all! I can see why people rave about this stuff – it was very creamy and the flavors we picked were true to their names.

We headed home full and happy. I see us eating many more lunches and dinners at Cinquecento, and I think it’s safe to say that I’ve found my OMG-I-want-to-eat-here-everyday restaurant!

A Productive Weekend

written by Parita 14 Comments

I totally understand that everyone’s definition of what a productive weekend looks like is different. For me, productivity equals getting s*** done that I normally put off! So by those standards, this was definitely a productive weekend.

On Friday, I got home from work and started sorting through three loads worth of laundry. It felt good to get that annoying task out of the way.

Later in the evening, Vishnu and I headed to Andiamo for date night. Places like this are exactly why people need to get out of South Beach when visiting Miami. Andiamo is an old car wash converted into a pizza joint. Most of the seating is outdoor, and it’s first come first serve. Everything about this place was great – the ambiance, the food, and the service. We will be back!

We started with beers. And while I enjoyed my Peroni, Vishnu’s Yuengling Black and Tan surprisingly stole the show. It was dark, velvety, and smooth. I’m not a huge beer person, but this beer is something I can get on board with.

Then came our pizza. Our waitress advised us to split a medium so that’s exactly what we did. My half was the Portobello (Portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes, goat cheese, and truffle oil), and Vishnu’s was called the Godfather (sausage, meatballs, pepperoni, and a few different veggies). You guys. This pizza joint is definitely a top 10 place for a reason. The crust was thin, flaky, yet substantial. And the toppings were fresh and used in perfect proportions. I was in heaven!

Date night success!

On Saturday, I literally cleaned every nook and cranny of our apartment. Aside from the usual vacuuming and bathroom cleaning, I emptied and reorganized every closet, cabinet, and drawer in our apartment. I know it doesn’t sound like a lot of fun, but I’m definitely someone who likes to cleanse and get rid of things every so often. For three hours, I was in my own little zen zone.

Later in the evening I set out to make almond butter…my first time! I followed Brittany’s recipe, and it turned out great. It does take some patience though, as it takes ~15 minutes to get the almonds to a buttery consistency.

Now I know it’s not almond butter I don’t like…it’s store bought almond butter. The homemade stuff is good – loved the addition of coconut oil and maple syrup.

And finally on Sunday I spent a few hours in the afternoon baking up a storm. My sister is currently in the middle of studying for her medical board exam, and I told her I would send her a bunch of snacks to get her through the next few weeks.

In a few days, my sis will open a package including chocolate chip zucchini muffins, almond meal chocolate chip cookies, maple walnut granola, and protein granola bars. Hope she loves it all!

And in true Parita fashion, I ended my productive weekend with a bit of relaxation…coffee with a girlfriend!

Hope you had a great weekend doing whatever it is that makes you happy!

Weekending It Chicago Style

RPM and Siena Tavern

Quick Update + The Liebster Award

BacK in the A!

Highlights From My Trip Home to Atlanta

Dinner at Cinquecento

A Productive Weekend

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