ABOUT US
Rubato is a modern Hong Kong café in Quincy, MA. Inspired by traditional Hong Kong and Cantonese comfort food, Rubato takes these culinary traditions and adds its own twist. Featuring classics like steamed char siu baos, congee, and house milled soy milk to more modern offerings like our famous fried chicken bolo and salted duck egg custard filled Hong Kong french toast. Rubato has everything your tummy desires for from early morning to early evening.
Located at the heart of North Quincy, Rubato is a quick service restaurant inviting you to get your fill whether it’s dining in, grab-n-go, or delivery to your door.
HISTORY
412 Hancock Street was home to Contempo Bakery for twenty two years. Joyce Chan opened the space with her business partner naming it after their locally famous Chinese rock band, Contempo. The bakery has since become a staple in the Quincy community.
Joyce’s son, Laurence, spent countless hours working at the bakery through his coming of age so it was only natural that he was drawn to food and eventually became a chef. Now, the reins will be handed down and operate as Rubato, the musical term for a change of tempo (get it?).
FOOD
The food is inspired by Hong Kong and Cantonese comfort foods. When designing the menu for Rubato, the focus was building on the staples of Contempo.
While we absolutely had to keep our fan favorites like You Tiao (fried dough), the Congee, the Milk Tea, and the Soy Milk, we also wanted to get a little adventurous.
We aim to expand our customer base and push the culinary boundaries of Chinese food.
We indulge in our customers’ (and our own) cravings to create food that is inarguably delicious.
While we feel like this is achieved with our current menu, our journey to keep making some of the best food you can get is only beginning!
Photo: Matt Li
Architecture
Rubato draws inspiration from cha chaan tengs, food cafes popularized in Hong Kong following World War II. Designed with flexibility of use in mind, it can operate as an eat-in cafe seating up to nine, while also serving as a takeout and delivery kitchen.
The design strategy reflects the tension between old and new by respecting the roots laid down by Contempo Bakery, while reinventing the look & feel of a modern Hong Kong style cafe with bold colors that reflect the brand identity.
The project was developed by Sapid Studio, a multi-disciplinary design practice based between New York City and Geneva.
Axo Drawing: Sapid Studio
