Smoke BBQ in Newport News gets urban barn look, new patio

Smoke BBQ Restaurant & Bar, sporting a new chic barn look, officially opened its patio on St. Patrick's Day just in time for warmer weather.

"There's not many options here for outdoor dining in Newport News," general manager Dylan Recchia of Newport News said. "We're fulfilling a need in the community and expanding our seating capacity."

On Tuesday, hundreds of people, including green-wearing St. Patrick's Day revelers, filtered through Smoke's newly renovated interior and and lighted patio. The mostly-covered patio currently seats 50, including a lounge section with love seat and gas fireplace. The patio will soon be expanded to seat 70, Recchia said.

Warwick Boulevard neighbors PMA Architecture in Hilton Village designed the patio and oversaw the renovation.

"The idea that we had was to make it feel like a barn," said project architect Katie Stodghill, PMA co-owner with husband Jeff. "Because it's Smoke a cool, hip barbecue joint."

Taking out a partial wall gave the bar area more space while making the restaurant feel more open, showing off the reclaimed bar wood siding, reclaimed wood chairs and new worn-look tables. The new metal roof and open wood of the patio contributes to the barn feel.

The darker exterior paint and accents inside making it feel more "smoked," Stodghill said. Sliding red bar doors can close off a private dining room with a backlit Smoke sign on the barn paneling, she added.

The project was approved for $30,000 in facade improvement grant funding by the Newport News Economic Development Authority, which PMA helped Smoke apply for, Stodghill said.

Spain Construction in Newport News performed the recent work, co-owner Kathy Walters said. Steve and Kathy Walters opened Smoke in the former Bill's Seafood space at 10900 Warwick Blvd. on Dec. 29, 2011 after catering and participating in barbecue competitions.

Smoke LLC bought the property in November 2011 for $550,000, according to online city records. The business has been upgrading the property since.

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Smoke BBQ in Newport News gets urban barn look, new patio