Barque Smokehouse is the brainchild of long-time friends Jonathan Persofsky and David Neinstein, whose passion for bbq and the hospitality industry led them away from their corporate careers to the wooded interior of Toronto's Urban Smokehouse. From the extensive wine list and artisan beers to the easonal fruits and vegetables delicately prepared to match the subtle smokiness of genuine pit barbeque, Barque Smokehouse presents an original approach to traditional barbeque. We pride ourselves on offering a refined dining experience with warm hospitality and friendly, attentive service in the heart of Roncesvalles Village since April 2011.more...See more text
When Barque Smokehouse owner David Neinstein says he and his staff don't play favourites, he means it.
One busy Saturday night, "a very famous person came in and asked for a table," he recounts. The male celebrity, whom David prefers not to name, didn't have a reservation, and the stylish barbecue joint was packed.
David, who wasn't there at the time, got a call from the manager asking how to proceed. His response? “Another customer had a reservation, so we told the guy, 'I'm sorry, but there's no table for you.' ”
Did this produce some kind of A-list backlash? Quite the opposite: “The guy who had a reservation told everyone he got his table instead of this famous guy, and word spread. In the end, we got more notoriety about honouring the table than we would have for giving it to the VIP."
David pauses, then adds, smiling, "Not that I'm against VIPs, but he could have made a reservation."
