Goji y Agave Brings Two Big Menus to Cary

A table at Goji y Agave can begin with chips and dip, move toward a plate of pan-seared dumplings, then take a turn toward tacos, ceviche or a Mexican-style bowl. The Cary restaurant does not treat its Asian and Mexican offerings as a novelty mash-up. Instead, it gives both cuisines room to stretch out across a notably broad menu.

That range makes ordering pleasantly open-ended. One person can settle into sushi or noodle soup while somebody across the table goes for plantains, tacos or a margarita. It is an easy arrangement for families, friends with different appetites and anyone who has ever spent too long negotiating where to eat.

The Asian side has enough depth to support repeat visits. Pad Thai comes with a balanced sauce that keeps the noodles moist without requiring an extra pour of peanut sauce. Combination fried rice and pan-seared dumplings make a dependable pairing when a familiar, filling order sounds right.

Soup lovers have several directions to go. The Goji noodle soup is built around a flavorful broth and is listed as spicy, though the heat can read gently; diners who care about spice levels can ask for guidance. Tom Yum brings a sweet-savory profile with a measured amount of heat, while sweet-and-sour, egg drop and hot-and-sour soups offer other warming options.

For a bigger noodle plate, drunken noodles with chicken arrive in a particularly generous portion and can carry noticeable spice. Buddha's Delight with shrimp offers another substantial choice, and candied walnut shrimp comes with broccoli and fried rice.

There is also a full sushi-roll selection, which helps the menu avoid becoming all bowls and noodles. A group can order rolls for the middle of the table, add calamari or firecracker shrimp, and still leave room for individual entrees.

The Mexican menu holds its own alongside the Asian dishes, with tacos, ceviche, plantains and Mexican-style bowls among the choices. That division is useful: diners are not being asked to decode a long list of hybrid dishes. They can simply choose the food they are in the mood for.

A margarita fits naturally into the mix, including a notably large pour for anyone settling in for dinner. The combination of drinks, shareable starters and two very different menu paths gives the restaurant an especially relaxed group-dinner rhythm.

Goji y Agave stands out for having a separate, extensive gluten-free menu with clearly labeled choices. Staff can discuss ingredients and help steer diners toward suitable dishes, a welcome detail when a meal needs more thought than simply picking the first thing that looks good.

Vegetarian diners also have a substantial selection rather than a token corner of the menu. With soups, noodle dishes, rice, vegetables, sushi and Mexican choices in the broader lineup, a mixed table has plenty of ways to order across preferences.

Individual ingredients and preparation are still worth confirming directly with the restaurant, especially for gluten-sensitive diners. The egg roll, for example, is not gluten-free, and no diner should assume every item on either menu follows the same preparation standards.

Portions here tend toward generous. A plate of drunken noodles can be a serious meal, and many orders are substantial enough to share a few tastes around the table or send part of dinner home for later.

Food is generally prepared promptly, including as the dining room begins to fill. That makes the restaurant workable for a casual weeknight meal, but the expansive menu also gives a longer dinner plenty to talk about between courses.

The room is clean, attractively decorated and comfortably uncluttered, with an indoor dining area, booths, a bar and a private dining room. Conversation is generally easy here; the sound level can range from quiet to moderate rather than turning dinner into a shouting match.

A solo diner can take a seat at the bar and ask for recommendations, while couples and small groups have the more settled feel of booth seating. The private dining room adds another option for gatherings that need their own space.

The service style is friendly and attentive without making a simple dinner feel overly formal. Staff members are comfortable making recommendations, checking back during the meal and talking through dietary questions. The owner is often present as well, greeting diners and circulating through the room.

There is free parking in a lot with ample space, removing one of the usual small frictions of dinner out. Goji y Agave also offers pickup, so its broad menu can work just as well for a take-home spread of noodles, rice, tacos and sushi.

For dine-in, the sensible move is to let the table roam a little. Start with a shared appetizer, order from both sides of the menu if the mood strikes, and do not be surprised if there is enough left for tomorrow's lunch.