>1025 Virginia Avenue, Indianapolis, IN 46203. (317) 602-3708
Naisa Pan-Asian Cafe is a welcome treat to the growing list of notable Fountain Square restaurants. Since its opening a short 18 months ago, it’s found a tight following from the downtown week day crowd and the neighborhood locals have claimed it as their own. Voted this year as the Best Chinese in Indianapolis by TheIndyChannel.com’s A-List, Naisa (Asian spelled backwards) has all the signs of remaining a friendly, clean, fresh tasting neighborhood Chinese restaurant.
Glad to see some non traditional offerings on the menu (do we really need more Kong Pao Chicken in this town?) I ordered the owner’s childhood favorite “comfort food” dish, the Naisa Golden Sunrise; stewed tomatoes sautéed with scrambled eggs and spices, served in a traditional clay pot steeping in its own juices. It was warm and fragrant, moist and fresh…it was one of those foods that should be eaten curled up on the couch with a good book. Yum!
The owners are lovely. Dedicated to fresh tasting Asian inspired food, they also encourage diversity by supporting my alma mater, the Herron School of Art. Herron students are hired as servers, allowed to showcase student work on the walls and even the design and construction of their business sign became a school year project.
Other menu highlights are the kimchee, Triple Greens in Garlic Chiles and the Spicy Basil Curry Fried Rice. Attentive service, modern, comfortable ambiance.
