Posted by Jessica McLaughlin in bistros, restaurant review on June 17, 2007 at 1:22 pm

Kubo Radio
894 Queen Street East
416-406-5826
Dinner for two with all taxes, tip and wine: $90

Yes, somehow I ended up sitting pretty close to celebrity chef Susur Lee on my first visit to Kubo Radio. But before I get to that, here’s how I ended up eating there in the first place. I don’t spend a lot of time on the east end, so when I knew I’d be out on Queen East for a concert at the Opera House, I decided to do a little online investigating for an interesting restaurant to have a nosh at before the show.

Personally I enjoy a restaurant with a good website. When I don’t spend a lot of time in the neighbourhood I’m heading to, it’s a huge help, and Kubo Radio has a nice little site with all the information I was looking for: menu, location and an overall sense of what the place is all about. With all the information I needed, I called up my fellow concert-going gal pal and she sounded as interested as I was in trying this place out.

Kubo Radio has a very fun-looking and not-so-serious outer façade, and when you walk in, it has a casual, simple and modern atmosphere. On the outside window, it was prominently written, “Patio now open.” But when we walked in, it wasn’t obvious whether or not we were supposed to seat ourselves or wait, and we didn’t get any offer to sit on the patio. However we did get a very nice, cozy and comfortable corner table for two.

After a few minutes of catch-up chat with my friend, she looked over at me and asked if the person sitting a couple tables over from us was Susur Lee. And what do you know... it was! Chances are if Susur Lee is sitting in your restaurant, you’re on your A-game. And the food was very good that night. But after reading this recent review of Kubo Radio, I wonder if I lucked out by landing there on the same night as Lee. I’d be willing to go back and see.

My friend and I both opted for the Yummy Burger ($15) – a Peking duck and beef chuck burger, topped with a panko onion ring and wasabi slaw on a sesame bun. It was tremendously rich, perfectly prepared and mouth-wateringly delicious. And it really looked good on the plate – great presentation. Actually, everything coming out of the kitchen was looking really appetizing.

We finished our meal off by sharing a sweet treat – Crispy Lucky Dumplings ($6.95). The dumplings were filled with banana, served with coconut ice cream and topped with caramilk. A little on the small side for the price, but they were decadent and delicious and a perfect ending to the meal.

Kubo offers a lunch, dinner and brunch menu, a catering menu, and a prix fixe option at dinner for $20. Their Asian-inspired menu features everything from dumplings ($5.50-$5.95) to mains like Vegetarian Hot and Sour with tofu, mushrooms and crispy noodles ($10.95) and a 12 oz. Peppercorn Rib Eye Steak served with wasabi mash potatoes and bok choy ($19.95). Other dessert options include Babycake Cupcakes ($3.25) and Mango Sorbet ($4.95).

If I'm ever out on Queen East again looking for a place to eat, I'll definitely head back in to Kubo Radio. That Yummy Burger is something I'd love to dig into again. I just hope my next visit is as good as my first.