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Dining Adventures
by John Loughran
News of Delaware County, 1984

   The best kept secret in Havertown is out!  Nais Cuisine, the small French-style restaurant on Benedict Avenue in Havertown, next to the Oakmont Fire Station,  was full to the brim with voracious diners Friday night.

    "French Style Cooking With Oriental Flair" is how they describe the unique brand of cooking that they serve piping hot and with a smile.  "Oriental Flair" could apply equally to the cuisine and the hospitality.

   Upon arriving for a 9 p.m. reservation Friday evening, I was surprised at the hearty atmosphere that emanated from the restaurant and doubted whether a table would be found in the two small dining rooms. 

   However we were seated promptly at a small table for two in the rear.  The restaurant seats 45 people and couldn't hold another table unless they were stacked.

   Nais Cuisine is not a quiet Chinese restaurant where people sit quietly fumbling with chopsticks and sipping tea.  Rather, the customers were laughing heartily while they enjoyed wine, which they had brought themselves, and explored exotic dishes with a homemade touch.

   Everything about Nais Cuisine is pleasing to the eye and the palate.

   The decor is simple, in the oriental tradition, but small details like linen table cloths, candles, and fresh flowers on every table - even in the restrooms, made my entire dining experience enjoyable.

   A young and enthusiastic staff were eager to take our orders and serve us, although there was some delay before our wine was chilled and opened for us.

   A varied menu with numerous daily special appetizers, salads, and entrees was available.

    My partner chose one of the daily special appetizers, sauteed oysters on spinach with a cream of vermouth sauce, which was absolutely delicious.  Neither of us had had sauteed oysters before, but when I return to Nais Cuisines, I'll be sure to order them again.

      You'll also find a variety of salads at Nais Cuisine.  My partner, a traditionalist, chose the mixed green salad with a vinaigrette dressing, while I sampled one of the special salads - snow peas with mushrooms with a rosette cherry tomato and sesame dressing.  Both salads were excellent.

   My salad was so pleasing to the eye that I found myself passing it over to my partner for a closer look.  In fact, several times throughout the evening I had wished that I had brought my camera to photograph the aesthetic dishes.

   I must admit I'm a sucker for anything exotic.  Why else would anyone order curry of chicken at an oriental-style restaurant?

   Nevertheless, I found myself oohing and ahhing at each tender morsel of the spicy chicken, peppers, and rice. 

   My partner this time chose one of the day's specials - thin sliced sauteed lamb with red wine herb sauce. This time, she passed her plate over to me, so I could better savor the aroma.

   Whatever your tastes, you'll find a variety of seafood, poultry, and meat dishes served and garnished with a meticulous hand at Nais Cuisine.  Our bill was a bargain, considering the carefully prepared entrees, attractive surroundings, and pleasant service.

   The family-owned restaurant is becoming increasingly popular, so reservations are suggested on weekends.  Wine service is available if you bring your own bottle.