Barbecue and Bakery Pair Up to Share St. Clair West Space
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
Barque Smokehouse and XO Bisous have formed a strategic alliance to maximize kitchen utility at their joint location.
In a move to expand its footprint north of Bloor, Barque Smokehouse has partnered with bakery-cafe XO Bisous to share a single location at 572 St. Clair Ave., according to reporting from blogTO.
Barque owner David Neinstein, who has operated the restaurant's Roncesvalles site for 15 years, sought a second location and connected with XO Bisous founder Genna Steckel. Steckel originally opened her bakery in the Financial District in 2016 before moving to the St. Clair and Bathurst area in 2024.
According to blogTO, the partnership was born from an inefficiency in the bakery's operations: while XO Bisous was a success during the day, its kitchen remained unused after 5 p.m. To solve this, the two businesses created a blended space where Barque manages the savory food program.
The collaborative concept soft-launched in late April 2026 and is now fully operational. The current schedule sees XO Bisous providing coffee and sweets seven days a week, while Barque serves savory lunch items daily and dinner from Wednesday through Sunday. The joint menu also includes an everyday brunch with staples from both businesses, while all-you-can-eat chicken wings are offered on Wednesdays and all-you-can-eat baby back ribs on Sundays.