Restaurant Archives - My Inner Shakti

The Blissful Veggie + Native Foods Cafe

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.

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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?

Weekend Recap – The One Where We Stayed Up Way Past Our Bedtime

written by Parita 8 Comments

You guys! This weekend was a ton of fun, but I’m exhausted. Like I probably need 12 hours of sleep exhausted.

Let me explain…

On Friday, I finished up work and cleaned our apartment because one of my best friends from college was coming down for the night AND because my sister and four of her med school friends were staying at our place over the weekend.

Once Sweeti got to our place, we chatted for a bit and then headed out to dinner at De Cero, a Mexican inspired restaurant in the West Loop neighborhood of Chicago. The three of us (me, Vishnu, and Sweeti) agreed that while the food was far from authentic, it was delicious and very filling.

After dinner, we went to a bar (I can’t remember the name for the life of me) for a few beers. We sat and talked for another 1.5 hours before heading home.

Aekta and her friends were at our place when we got back. We chatted for a couple of hours before heading to bed. It was 2:00 am by the time we went to sleep!

The next morning started much later than anticipated for obvious reasons! Vishnu and I had a lunch date on the books for 12:30, so we headed out a little after 12. I won’t share too much about this meal because I want to do a more comprehensive review on the blog. But I really loved Summer House Santa Monica – the ambiance was beautiful and really reminded us of a beach house. And the food was pretty good too!

Summer House Santa Monica – Chicago, IL

Vishnu and I stopped for some after lunch coffee and ended up hanging out for another hour or so. I love it when this happens!

The rest of the day was spent lounging around doing some loose research for our trip to Hawaii.*

Later in the evening, when everyone was back from their Saturday adventures, we ordered pizza, played games, including flip cup and Cards Against Humanity, and got ready for a night out on the town! You guys, we went to not one, not two, but three different places over the course of the night. We started at a restaurant bar, made our way to another bar, and then finally ended up at a club. We got home at 3:30 am!!! Who am I? Exhausted and tired that’s who!

Anyways, because of our wild and crazy (says the girl who didn’t drink) Saturday night, our Sunday was super low-key. Aside from basic to dos (cleaning, laundry, etc.), we napped and watched TV.

And just like that, it’s Monday again! Make it a good one. 🙂

*Any and all recommendations are more than welcome for both Maui and Kauai!

What I Ate in London

written by Parita 4 Comments

You guys, I’m on my way back from London as I type! What a whirlwind of a trip. It would’ve been absolutely fine, except for the fact that we took a redeye flight in and didn’t get a chance to rest at all. Upon arriving to my hotel room, I took a shower, got ready, and went to the office. The sleep factor didn’t get any better over the next couple of days. Phew! I’m really looking forward to some relaxing, quality, family time this weekend!

With that being said, I have a few fun London updates (all food related…big surprise).

Firstly, I ate my beloved Pret’s porridge twice, and it was glorious. My boss tried (and loved) it too! Her exact words were, “You mentioned this stuff a few times now. I should probably try it.” Haha!

Second, we had dinner at a restaurant called Granger and Co. on Tuesday evening. I’m telling you, every London restaurant I try is amazing and often better than the last. This place had quite a few vegetarian options. I decided to try the lentil, tomato, and burrata dish – so much texture, flavor, and earthiness. I need to recreate this one soon!

Finally, we had dinner at The Cinnamon Club on Wednesday night. The restaurant itself was super unique – located in the old Westminster Library. And the food! Unique twists on Indian food presented in the most beautiful and clean way. I shared beetroot vegetarian cakes and the malai kofta (paneer dumplings in a creamy tomato sauce) with my boss. So much yum! I also ordered the plain lassi – it had hints of vanilla and sesame oil. #strangebutsogood

Other than that, the trip was all about that work, work, work, work, work life.

I plan to rest as much as possible before landing in Chicago because this weekend is full of activity and good food. More on that next week!

Happy Friday eve!

Closet Overhaul + Beautiful Weather + Delicious Food

written by Parita 5 Comments

For the first time in what feels like a long time, we spent the entire weekend in Chicago! Thankfully, the weather cooperated and gave us plenty of opportunities to get outside.

FRIDAY

I took the day off and went shopping with my coworker and friend Erika…for over seven hours! I’ve been wanting to overhaul my closet for a long time, and when I learned that Erika’s a part-time stylist, I asked if she would help me start the process of filling my closet with better quality pieces.

Not only did Erika help me find a ton of great things, but she also shared tips along the way. I feel like I’m on the path to actual having my own defined style, which has never been the case. Usually, I just buy stuff that looks good in the moment without thinking about things like the number of outfits I can make with the piece, longevity, etc.

I haven’t had a chance to photograph my haul, but once I do, I’ll definitely share. It’s pretty awesome!

Later that evening, Vishnu and I headed to Seoul Taco for dinner. The best way to describe the restaurant and the food is a Korean + Mexican style Chipotle. Vishnu ordered a bowl (rice, steak, friend egg, greens, veggies, chili sauces), while I opted for two tofu tacos. We also shared chips and queso. Everything was unique and flavorful. Such a fun twist on two delicious cuisines.

SATURDAY

Saturday started with brunch at Taverna 750 with friends. It was fun chatting over delicious food (a friend and I shared a Breakfast Pizza and Vegetarian Benedict).

We then spent the afternoon walking around and exploring different bars. Our last stop was my favorite – the J. Parker in Lincoln Park. It’s a beautiful rooftop bar that’s the place to be on a perfect summer day. The views of the city are incredible!

We joined Aekta, Adarsh, and Adarsh’s family for dinner at Opart Thai House later that night. We were celebrating Adarsh’s sister’s 16th birthday. You guys, I think we found our favorite Thai restaurant in the city. Everything we ordered was perfection – the flavors, the spice level, etc. And the service was also on point. Even though the restaurant was packed, we felt like the only people there. So fun!

SUNDAY

Sunday was slow but steady. I got out of bed at 7:00 and watched the last few episodes of The Mindy Project. I’m not a huge fan of the show anymore, but they know how to execute incredible season finales. The kind that keep you wanting more…so here’s to season 5!

Later in the afternoon, we drove to Aekta and Adarsh’s place. Aek and I went for a run along the lake while the boys mounted the TV. Fair split of responsibilities! I honestly can’t say it enough – having my sister and Adarsh here with us is THE biggest blessing!

We ended the night with episode five of The Night Of. This show is gut wrenching and hard to watch but powerful enough to keep you wanting more.

Tell me – what did you do and/or eat this weekend?

Bachelorette Party Weekend in Austin, TX

written by Parita 18 Comments

My sister’s bachelorette party weekend in Austin surpassed all expectations. It was truly epic! We explored different parts of Austin, tried lots of restaurants/types of food, and partied hard (maybe a little too hard!).

All I really wanted was for Aekta to have the time of her life, and I think we can safely say that mission was accomplished! She spent an entire weekend with her best friends in an amazing city creating lifelong memories. I’d say her bachelorette party weekend was a true success!

I often get questions about the cities I travel to, so for today’s post, I thought I’d share where we stayed, where we ate, and what we did.

WHERE WE STAYED

We stayed at the JW Marriott in downtown Austin. My best friend Roshni, who also came this weekend, helped me pick this hotel. I wanted something a little more upscale, and it definitely fit the bill! The hotel was beautiful, the service was impeccable, and the location was perfect. We were close to all the bars, lots of restaurants, and South Congress (a popular street with lots of food trucks and cute shops). I can’t recommend this hotel enough!

WHERE WE ATE

Burro Cheese Kitchen – On Thursday, after we arrived at the hotel and dropped off our stuff, we walked down South Congress to grab some lunch. When we came across this food truck, a few of us decided to share some grilled cheese sandwiches. Roshni and I shared a sourdough, cheddar, gouda, and balsamic apricot fig sandwich. It was divine!

Torchy’s Tacos (both S 1st St and South Congress) – This was my third trip to Austin and also my third time eating at Torchy’s Tacos (first trip to Austin and second trip to Austin). They seriously make the BEST tacos in the world. The flavors just come together perfectly. This is a must try little place!

Licha’s Cantina – We had dinner here on Thursday night, and the food was fabulous. Roshni and I shared a corn cake dish and the cheese dip. I was impressed by how simple yet flavorful the dishes were. This isn’t any old Mexican restaurant – every dish is very thoughtful and unique. I also highly recommend the watermelon jalapeno margarita. YUM! [Also my second time eating here!]

Gourdough’s – We ate here for lunch on Friday, and the food truly hit the spot. There are essentially two menus – savory and sweet. The savory menu is full of unique salads, sandwiches, and burgers, while the sweet menu is full of donuts. And not just any donuts. Fancy and unique donuts.

Roshni and I once again shared a few different things – a salad and two kinds of donuts! It’s all about that balance. The first donut we ordered came with bananas, cream cheese frosting, caramel sauce, graham crackers, and caramelized pecans. It tasted like the most delicious banana cream pie you’ve ever had. The second donut we ordered was call blue balls – little donut holes infused with blueberries and drenched with a blueberry sauce. My sweet tooth was definitely satisfied after this meal!

Four Brothers – Instead of going out to eat on Saturday night, we opted to order in. I found this place on Yelp and decided to go with it and am so glad I did! Everyone got an arepa and a empanada, and both were delicious and so filling. All the girls loved this meal because it was different and something they’ve never had before.

Pueblo Viejo – Aekta’s friend Lori and I made the trek out to Pueblo Viejo on Saturday morning because we were both up early and starving! The menu is limited but offers some vegetarian options. The breakfast tacos are so good. You can tell everything is super fresh and very authentic. My favorite taco was filled with beans, potatoes, and cheese. So simple yet so damn good!

Stella San Jac – Those of us who were still around on Sunday morning ate here for brunch. The menu is pretty limited but includes all the classic brunch items you’d expect – french toast, biscuits, eggs, hash browns, etc. We ordered biscuits for the table (OMG!), and then I ordered a classic American plate as my main dish. The hash brown casserole that came on the side was nothing short of amazing. I want to try and recreate it at home!

Don’t miss my silly randomness on Snapcat (@myinnershakti)

Amy’s Ice Cream – I was really hoping we’d make it to the Amy’s Ice Cream shop in the city, but unfortunately, it didn’t work out. I did, however, have a tiny cup at the airport, and it was just as good as I remembered! I got the coffee ice cream and topped it with almonds (for anyone that cares!). Gate 12 is where it’s at, so if you don’t get to try it in the city, get your fill on your way home.

WHAT WE DID

Rooftop bars (The Blind Pig and Handlebar) – The weather was beautiful (and a little hot) on Thursday, so we decided to enjoy the warmth on a couple of different rooftop bars. Both had there own vibe (and cheap drinks) and were a ton of fun! In addition to these bars, we also went to Maggie Mae’s and Container Bar over the course of the weekend.

Bridal shower – We threw Aekta a surprise bridal/lingerie shower in the hotel on Friday afternoon. It was so much fun! We opened gifts, played games, and took pictures by our homemade photo booth. One of Aekta’s friends came up with the idea! She basically took a pink table cloth and taped it on the wall. She also bought a bunch of different props for us to wear. Genius!

Pubcrawler – After the shower, we went pubcrawled! This was my favorite part of the trip! Basically, we pedaled for two hours as we made our way around Austin, and stopped at a bunch of bars. There was no motor so you only went as fast as you pedaled. One of Aekta’s friends made an awesome playlist, so we danced and partied while getting a real workout. Best night ever!

Brewery Tour at Hops and Grain – On Saturday afternoon, we headed to this brewery for a little tour, some beer action, and board games. It was a low key way to spend a few hours, especially after a couple of crazy nights! The beer was delicious, and for just $10, you got to try four different brews.

VAMPS dance class – If you’re headed to Austin for a bachelorette party, VAMPS dance is a must do activity. Let’s just say that we all learned a few new moves. 😉

And that was pretty much our weekend! I can’t even begin to describe how much fun we all had. I definitely felt a wave of sadness hit me as everyone left and made there way home, but then I remembered that the wedding is 2 MONTHS AWAY. Two months from now the craziness will start again!

Overall, it was wonderful to get to know Aekta’s friends a bit better, have Roshni there to be silly/crazy with, and just spend quality time with my sissy!

Have you been to Austin before? What cities have you visited for bachelorette parties? Where was your bachelorette party (if you’re married of course!)?

Dishoom (and Eating My Way through London)

written by Parita 4 Comments

Eating at an Indian restaurant can be a “double edged sword” kind of an experience for a person of Indian descent. On the one hand, INDIAN FOOD! On the other hand, you always question how good the meal will be or if it will compare to your mom’s home cooking.

When everyone I know insisted that I eat at the restaurant Dishoom in London, I knew this would not be one of those experiences. It was likely going to be one where I wanted to lick my plate clean. And it so was!

Five of my coworkers and I headed to the King’s Cross location on Thursday afternoon for lunch. For being such a popular restaurant, the entrance is not very grand. In fact, I would’ve missed it altogether had I not been with other people.

The inside of the restaurant, however, is beautiful and very open. Unlike other Indian restaurants I’ve been to, this one has a very modern and clean feel.

The menu is representative of that as well – lots of traditional dishes like daal, mutter paneer, paneer tikka, etc. alongside unique/fusion dishes like a mango and paneer salad, slaw, etc. It was so hard to choose what I wanted!

Luckily for me, my coworkers were up for sharing a number of dishes. We started with sides like far far (fried Indian snacks made from rice flour), bhel (puffed rice, nuts, pomegranate seeds, and a few other yummy things), okra fries, and chole bhatura (chickpea stew and a fried puff bread). We also shared the mango and paneer salad and black daal (creamy lentils).

For my main entrée (yes, we each also ordered separate dishes), I went with the paneer frankie – soft paneer, sautéed onions and bell peppers, greens, and a spicy mint chutney all wrapped in a romali roti (thin flat bread). I was struggling to finish but you better believe I ate every last bite. It was the perfect combination of textures and flavors. The chutney definitely added a lot of heat and herbaciousness (is this a word?!).

The salted lassi I ordered was the perfect cooling element of this meal. Not too thick and definitely not watery in consistency, I really loved how the yogurt flavor came through in every sip. Delicious!

Eating at Dishoom was most definitely an unforgettable experience – from the food itself, to the décor, to the service. I can see why people make it a point to dine here.

I will definitely be back!

Other notable restaurants I tried this past week include Pret a Manger (haha!), All Bar One (went twice for breakfast), Lupita (unique Mexican food), and Kimchee (Korean food).

Overall, my trip to London was a lot of fun. It was great to connect with so many people on both a professional and personal level. Excited to see what 2016 will bring…hopefully more trips to London (and Dishoom)!

A “Me” Weekend Recap

written by Parita 12 Comments

This ended up being a true ‘Parita’ weekend. With Vishnu working on both Friday and Saturday, I had lots of time to get the ‘must do’ things out of the way – cleaning, laundry, etc. And in between all of the musts, I made time for one of my favorite activities…reading!

You guys! I finished both Crazy Rich Asians and its sequel China Rich Girlfriend. I went on reading frenzy! I’ll share more about these books later, but I highly recommend both. If you’re looking for funny, crazy, over-the-top books, Kevin Kwan’s novels are it.

Before sitting down to read on Saturday morning, I turned my living room into a pseudo barre studio and completed a 40 minute online Barre3 workout. I’m enjoying the different workouts so far and even bought the Barre ball (because a towel just doesn’t cut it!). More about Barre3 online coming soon!

Saturday also included a little bit of baking. I had a hankering for cookies that combined peanut butter and chocolate chips, so I tried my hand at making some…without a recipe. And they didn’t out half bad! I’m sure I’ll be making these again soon, and next time I’ll jot everything down and share!

While I waited for Vishnu to come home from work with our dinner, I watched UGA kick S. Carolina’s butt! And then when he got home, we continued watching the game while eating eggplant parm pizza. YUM!

On Sunday morning, I woke up, asked VIshnu what the temperature was (a cool (ha!) 79 degrees), and headed out for a run. Umm, my run turned into a run/walk and then just a walk. The heat was unbearable. By the time I got home 45 minutes later, it was 85 degrees. CENTRAL FLORIDA, PLEASE COOL DOWN ASAP!

After I got home and got ready, we headed out for our lunch date that Vishnu planned. He made reservations at a restaurant in Tampa called Green Lemon, a hipster Mexican place (Vishnu’s definition!). The atmosphere was very relaxed, fun, and colorful, and the food/drinks were delicious and very fresh.

We started with spicy Bloody Mary’s. YUM!

For my entrée, I ordered a veggie quesadilla, and for his, Vishnu’s ordered a trio of tacos. We both left fuller than expected but happy with our choices. Everything was flavorful and satisfying. Exactly what we were looking for!