As downtown Cary continues to evolve and grow, its dining and restaurant scene has created quite a few pleasant surprises over the past couple of years. One of them is the newish Zest Sushi and Small Plates at the Rogers building. Zest offers an elevated sushi and Japanese dining experience conveniently located just steps off of E. Chatham Street. Brought to Cary by the folks from Sono Sushi in Raleigh, I was expecting a more sophisticated and stylish take on Japanese cuisine, and over the course of my multiple visits, Zest did not disappoint at all. Here’s what to expect when you visit this popular new spot!
Zest Sushi and Small Plates, Cary – Location, Interior
Zest has a premier spot in downtown Cary! Facing the always busy Chatham Street, the exterior has a modern feel with floor-to-ceiling glass windows allowing for plenty of sunlight inside. Inside Zest, you’ll find a quiet dining room to your left and a sushi bar in front of you. Further in is the main bar area and a smattering of 4-tops for the main dining room. Decor at Zest is very modern, sumptuous, and rich. Creamy leather-backed seats, modern white lighting overhead along with modern art prints throughout the space; there was a lot of effort put into interior design here. It’s a great spot for a date or quiet dinner party with a taste for contemporary style!
Zest Sushi and Small Plates, Cary – Menu, Food
While Zest leads with sushi in its name, it’s so much more than that! Start off with oysters and their raw bar, which is a bit unique for a self-styled Japanese restaurant. Zest offers some weekly specials on oysters, so make sure to ask your server. Once you get beyond the seafood, Zest has an expansive selection of Asian small plates, sushi rolls, nigiri, ramen, and more. It’s fun to have this many options and choices at a Japanese restaurant, but thankfully, the selection is not at a Cheesecake Factory level. But I’d find it hard to believe that even a picky eater could not find something to love on the menu
I’d recommend starting with the blistered shishito peppers! They are simple and a good palate cleanser to get your meal started. The fried oysters are also excellent, drizzled with some savory sauce. The oysters here are really fresh here. My guess is they are shucked onsite before going into the fryer! The pork belly bites are also lovely if you want a more meat-focused starter that’s satisfying.
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And yes, the sushi covers all the basics along with a nice selection of house specialty rolls. And they take some chances here. I loved the Crouching Tiger roll (tempura shrimp, cucumber, mango, topped with poached shrimp), but the Two if by Sea roll was overpowered by the roasted jalapeno. So your mileage may vary; choose wisely!
Zest Sushi and Small Plates, Cary – Service, Conclusion
Service at Zest is pretty strong. I usually eat at the bar, and the staff there is pretty attentive, but it’s easy at the bar! I’ll have to try a table soon to see what service levels are like there. All I can say is that I’ve been pretty impressed by Zest Sushi and Small Plates and seem to find excuses to go back. And as a food blogger, that can be rare since I’m usually looking for the latest and greatest dining option. But when you pull together the great decor, expansive and tasty menu, along with the solid service, it’s really hard to go wrong with Zest! So if you’re a fan of oysters, Asian small plates, and sushi, Zest is a must-do. Stop on by the next time you’re in downtown Cary and looking for something new.
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