At The Carbon Bar, Toronto Gets a Taste of Texas BBQ
The Carbon Bar, a stylish eatery in the heart of downtown Toronto, is a frequent entry on “Best of” lists: Curiocity’s ‘Best Comfort Food,’ the Telegraph’s ‘Best Toronto Nightlife,’ even our own ‘Top Takeout Spots.’ And, while the cynics among us tend to look past listicles, even they can admit that to succeed in the cutthroat restaurant industry — for more than a decade, no less — is no easy feat; The Carbon Bar has done something right.
The Carbon Bar is tucked away on 99 Queen Street East, just few blocks east of Eaton Centre. Heritage radiates from the building: light pours into large, rectangular windows framed by an antique brick facade. In fact, 99 Queen East became a fashionable address decades before The Carbon Bar took up residence. Back in 1968, it was home to Electric Circus, a dance club that offered “the ultimate legal entertainment experience.” The next tenant, CityTV, paid its respects by airing a popular dance show of the same name.
The Carbon Bar
The Carbon Bar
The Carbon Bar
Today, The Carbon Bar honours its stylish heritage through aesthetics: gold lighting fixtures illuminate exposed brick walls inside. Sleek two-tops and deep red booths fill the main dining area, where waiters serve smoked barbecue meats to fashionable patrons. For private gatherings, guests can choose from four specially-crafted event spaces.
Cuisine, of course, is on-par with the atmosphere. A smashing selection of high-quality steaks, seafood, and Texas-style barbecue populate the menu. Comfort catches include salmon tartare, creole shrimp, and oysters straight from the Maritimes. Elsewhere, highlights include the Piri Piri BBQ Chicken — Portuguese potatoes, sous-vide and grilled chicken supreme, and brocolini fire-roasted in a sizzling splash of Piri Piri sauce — and the (vegan!) Vegetable Gumbo, made with spicy mushroom sausage.
These eye-popping flavours aren’t confined to The Carbon Bar kitchen, though. An early pioneer of delivery (we still miss 2017’s at-home BBQ package), the restaurant is now beginning to branch out into retail. ShopTheCarbonBar offers everything from gourmet sauces to fine cuts of pork, poultry and poisson.
(Editor’s Note: Carbon Bar was kind enough to offer our readers an exclusive discount. Save $20 on your first order from the shop using code SHARP20$OFF100.)
Founder Yannick Bigourdan stands by the offerings, too. He used to “constantly” ask the chef to prepare frozen BBQ dishes for dinners at home and evenings at the cottage. “I love having friends over, and nothing beats the ease of reaching into the freezer for some smoky ribs, brisket, or empanadas!” Bigourdan confesses. “It’s my secret weapon for effortless entertaining — there’s always something mouth-watering ready to go.”
So, now that you’ve learned the details, tell us — are those ‘Best of’ lists correct? If you still need some convincing, feel free to check it out for yourself.
