CLOSED - Kumo Asian Cuisine

Update 2015-Oct-22 - Kumo appears closed (and this is now the third closure I've seen for the same location.) Although the "Open"  light is on, the interior is dark and the front door locked. Returned twice to confirm. There's also a lot of mail in the mailbox. Will they ever get it right, or is this finally it?

Kumo is located at 389 Church Street, at Church and Carlton, in Toronto's core. It's transit-accessible as is a short walk east of College subway station. This location may be familiar, as it has seen two name changes that I've seen, having been called "Wild Ginger Asian Fusion" (which we reviewed) and then "99¢ Sushi" prior (and the latter still persists on some of the signage.) The interior has been redone with authentic-looking wooden partitions, and there seems to be free WiFi though I didn't try a connection. It was too warm when I was there, however, and the music a bit too new and too loud, but I did discover some new material. I went for a weekend lunch as it's close to where I work.
Kumo serves tea in attractive pots left at the table which I always enjoy. The chopsticks are also reusable. Soy sauce is all low-sodium and was among the freshest I have ever had. Miso soup was excellent, savoury and robust (I get tired of it being watered down.) The hot and sour soup was unquestionably the best I've ever had and fantastically good... finally a place that brings out the potential and makes it like it should be.

Shrimp tempura was slightly oily but still good and the sauce was great. Yam tempura were huge slices, the largest I have seen and something to watch for when ordering. Mishy's favourite from the Wild Ginger days, pumpkin tempura, is still available (if only Mishy had come too...) Onion tempura? Odd, but I didn't mind it. However the green salad dressing had an odd burnt flavour that I couldn't identify.
Spring rolls were good as was the sauce, and so was the avocado/cucumber roll. Spicy beef and chicken teriyaki very quite tasty but served with vegetables (peppers and onions) that bulk them up; another portion caveat when ordering. Salmon sushi was excellent. Unfortunately I ordered six crab sushi but ended up with white tuna instead so ate them anyway.

I tried the green tea and mango ice creams for dessert and both were fresh and good. Weekend lunch price is $12.99 which is quite reasonable especially for the area, and free pop is included if the diner pays with cash. I was impressed with Kumo and hope to return with Mishy next time!

Rating: 9/10.