Welcome.

The pagoda-like Wasabi is tucked into a corner of the open and airy MacGregor Village in Cary. What you may notice first is the funky and funny Wasabi logo: A jovial fish dolled up in chef's regalia toting chopsticks in one fin and serving a martini on a tray in the other. Techno dance music pumps up the dining and bar area. Dinner and lunch menus are extensive, and each item is marked by a tiny Thai or Japanese flag representing the origin of the dish.

Fresh spring rolls are an excellent appetizer, dipped in the accompanying sweet and sour sauce or the light and dark soy sauces available in ceramic pots on each table. Main dishes include teriyaki combinations, tempura, red and green curries, and pad Thai with your choice of chicken, beef or shrimp. The fried rice entree puts plain old takeout to shame, especially when paired with plump, fresh shrimp.

Sushi lovers have plenty of a la carte delicacies to sample (tuna, yellow tail, eel) and specialty rolls to indulge in, such as the "Japanese bagel" -- bite-size rolls of lox, cream cheese and scallions. Dessert items include green tea and red bean ice creams. -- Lisa Terwilliger.. AOL Cityguide

Citysearch Editorial Review -- Kristine Forrest
Cary's stylish sushi joint gives late-night diners a cozy place to indulge.

The Scene
Sushi fanatics and late-night diners finally have a chic place to socialize, thanks to this cozy restaurant in Cary's MacGregor Village. Inside, the colors are soothing and subtle; rich patterns and caramel-colored wood give the space a gorgeous glow. The dining area itself is divided into separate rooms, which is good for an intimate feel--yet can make the noise seem cloying on busy nights.


The Food
With a menu crammed full of Thai dishes and sushi rolls, how could you possibly choose? Best bet: sample both. Start with the lusciously sweet tom jha, a Thai coconut soup with bits of seafood. Crispy spring rolls, packed with cabbage, celery and noodles, are surprisingly light and flavorful. The sushi selection is vast enough to please beginners, with the basic California or vegetable roll, but Wasabi's sushi chefs have created enough new concoctions to keep hardcore fans interested. Go for the fiery wasabi roll, which comes with its own powerful sauce--or the Mary roll, which arrives with a spicy mayo sauce ladled on top.