XO Bisous and Barque Smokehouse team up for an unlikely pairing on St. Clair
The Roncesvalles barbecue restaurant expanded into the St. Clair West bakery's kitchen, creating a day-and-night split for pastries and smoked meat.
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One of Toronto's best barbecue restaurants has moved into a popular bakery, creating a culinary mashup that shouldn't work but does. Barque Smokehouse, known for its Roncesvalles location after 15 years, has opened a second location inside XO Bisous, a St. Clair West bakery-café staple.
Barque owner David Neinstein was hunting for a second spot to expand north of Bloor when he was introduced to XO Bisous founder Genna Steckel. After Steckel relocated XO Bisous from the Financial District to St. Clair and Bathurst in 2024, her bakery-café was thriving during the day but her kitchen sat unused after 5 p.m. The fit was natural: Barque took over the savoury food program while XO Bisous continues serving sweet treats and coffee all day, every day.
"It was a great fit, so we created a blended space," Neinstein said. The new concept soft-launched in late April 2026 and is now fully operational at 572 St. Clair Ave.
Barque serves lunch seven days a week and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Their everyday brunch combines staples from both businesses. Wednesdays bring all-you-can-eat chicken wings; Sundays feature all-you-can-eat baby back ribs. After a meal of smoked meat, you don't have to leave the building to get a compulsory post-dinner pastry from XO Bisous — it's one floor away. The pairing feels effortless: savoury smoke and sweet pastry, morning to night, all in one spot.
Good to know
Where is the XO Bisous and Barque Smokehouse location?
The combined XO Bisous and Barque Smokehouse location is at 572 St. Clair Ave in Toronto.
What special food events happen at Barque Smokehouse?
Wednesdays feature all-you-can-eat chicken wings and Sundays feature all-you-can-eat baby back ribs at Barque Smokehouse.
