Barque

Barque Smokehouse is a BBQ joint located at 299 Roncesvalles Avenue in Toronto.

For over a year, I would pass this establishment as I rode the streetcar to my weekend baking class and I would notice the full restaurant and sometimes line up outside and wonder…Why wasn’t I eating there at that moment?!

I finally got my chance to try it on a dinner outing with some Peeps from work and a Peep from college.

Some restaurant ambiance. No pretension here, just a cool neighbourhood food joint.

Apricot wheat beer.

Since there were 4 of us, we opted to pair off and order sampler plates of two. This plate did not stay empty for long.

For my pair’s sampler plate we opted for Brisket, Italian Sausage, 1/2 rack of dry rub ribs, with sides of smoked asparagus, creamy smoked cauliflower and potatoes served in mini skillets.

The brisket was awesome, so tender and soft. The sausage was well grilled and smoky. Although the ribs were delicious, I am a fan of fall off the bone ribs and these were not. The sides were interesting and not anything I have ever had elsewhere. Quite inventive flavours and textures there.

Of course, dessert was a must and seeing as we were in the Roncesvalles area, I knew of a newly opened Ed’s Real Scoop location just down the street. I made it no secret that we were absolutely going here. A terrific new store with all the delicious ice cream flavours I have come to know and love. This visit, I opted for the chocolate cheesecake and butter pecan. So good, I did a jig!