The Short Version: The Acorn has actually assisted transform the Vancouver bistro world by creating fresh veggies the main destination in just about every dinner. Their seasonal selection highlights healthy and tasty create sourced from regional farms. Cafe proprietors Scott and Shira Blustein, exactly who additionally own The Arbor, challenge diners to see common meals with a creative vegetable-forward twist, and the restaurant’s enchanting atmosphere establishes the feeling for a one-of-a-kind date night on principal Street.
Vancouver couple seeking girls Scott and Shira Blustein had gotten hitched and opened their unique basic cafe, called The Acorn, in the same month in 2012. The newlyweds had a large amount to their plates, as you would expect.
“It actually was a little bit insane, and I wouldn’t advise carrying it out this way,” Scott mentioned with a laugh. “nevertheless worked out really.”
The Acorn’s very first clients happened to be Scott and Shira’s family relations and friends, who have been around for the wedding ceremony. These out-of-towners attempted the selection and offered the newlyweds helpful feedback about overall culinary experience.
From the beginning, Scott and Shira have endeavored to create something entirely original by cultivating new styles and a cool atmosphere. The Acorn boasts a vegetable-forward diet plan, meaning vegetables are celebrity of program. The bathroom tend to be named such things as “Radish” and “Carrot” to highlight the importance of those simple components.
Over the years, the Acorn has generated an excellent reputation as a consequence of the special and elegant using natural veggies and fruit. Lovers often come here to deal with by themselves to some thing extraordinary, while the sultry music, passionate lighting, and delectable food you shouldn’t let you down.
The restaurant’s atmosphere plays a part in their quiet appeal. This decor is natural and eternal â much like the eating plan. You find many dark tarnished lumber and live environmentally friendly plants. The room features a modern, minimalistic think tends to make a stark impression.
“its dark colored, moody, and romantic,” Scott stated. “The building had previously been a vintage Italian location that had been around for twenty five years â it absolutely was an actual institution when you look at the area â and we also wished to retain the figure and heart of these destination while rejuvenating it.”
Scott and Shira actually take time to build a genuine playlist of underground songs done by little-known painters. Scott mentioned the guy typically views individuals taking right out their own phones to check in the tune which is playing, together with music often helps break the ice by providing patrons something you should discuss or consider.
“We want individuals feel at ease while having this unique knowledge,” Scott stated. “our very own vegetable-forward purpose differentiates you from other individuals in the region. We’re a plant-based cafe, therefore we resource all our produce from farms throughout British Columbia.”
The Acorn usually merely accepts reservations because of its family table, which seats six to eight men and women. All other dining tables can be found on a first-come, first-served foundation. It’s wise to show up early to beat the crowds of people due to the fact Acorn might have very a wait. Clients also can create bookings regarding dimensions table on Valentine’s Day, new-year’s Eve, or any other significant breaks. Definitely book a couple weeks beforehand to be certain you obtain the full time position you want.
The Acorn alters the menu every several months to accentuate the styles associated with period. Only choosing a drink at the bar is a tall order because every thing appears tasty. The trademark cocktails infuse premium liquors with natural fruits & vegetables, plus the club also acts non-alcoholic good fresh fruit drinks, including house-made lemonade.
You then get right to the brunch or supper diet plan in which you’ll find creative vegetarian meals plated with precision and care.
Cook Brian Luptak is consistently creating creative strategies to present colorful and healthy veggie dishes to make certain that consumers disappear completely experiencing utterly satiated. And his work knowledge at-large lodge organizations and family-owned restaurants, Brian features an educational back ground in art and layout, so he has an eye fixed for beauty, which will help him put together an altogether spectacular plate.
The Acorn cultivates love and appreciation for food among the personnel, and every plate is carefully ready and shared to patrons. “We simply take plenty of satisfaction in how food arrives and places up for grabs,” Scott stated. “Presentation is vital.”
The Acorn’s diet plan is filled with shocking yet common meals â eg fried artichokes and waffles â that fulfill vegans, non-meat eaters, carnivores, and everyone among. The Halloumi is a certain specialty, and Scott mentioned it’s excellent for diners who happen to be a little wary of the meatless diet plan. This beer-battered deep-fried cheddar produces an indulgent and completing entrée supported by a zucchini and potato pancake and additionally smashed peas and mint yogurt.
The Acorn offers a meatless diet plan in which greens are not disguised as meat replacements or apologetically plated in part dishes. Greens are the centerpiece to each and every appetizer and major meal. Whether you are looking into a crispy cauliflower and mushroom risotto or splitting a chocolate almond fudge brownie, you’ll feel the pleasure of a straightforward, nutritious, and completing dinner made new for you personally.
“everything I really value towards Acorn is the attention to information,” mentioned Vanessa N. in a Yelp overview. “Each recipe had been consists of even more subsequently a small number of ingredients, which might be tough to make work harmoniously. But everything had been extremely balanced, aesthetically spectacular, and craveable.”
The Acorn celebrates new as well as delivers men and women alongside their regular types. Stimulated by the success, the adventurous cooking group hold moving themselves to innovate, cooperate, and develop. They usually have traveled to farms in U.S. and Canada and hosted special dinners where they’re able to test their skills.
A few times a year, The Acorn arranges an unique dinner in collaboration with an area winery or brewery. This ticketed occasion features new meals combined with superior wines or beers. The Acorn kitchen produces a five-course dinner, although the winery or brewery handpicks an ideal refreshment to come with each recipe.
The most important Vintage + Veg event in Summer 2015 was a huge success, specifically among lovers. These annual meals feature to 36 friends, that makes it an intimate yet personal setting for an unforgettable date.

Lots of locals have been visiting The Acorn consistently and just have viewed their interactions blossom one food at a time. The bistro’s regulars savor one-of-a-kind meals while ongoing inside hot and friendly environment.
“The Acorn is definitely my personal âSpecial Occasion’ go-to,” mentioned Rhiannon W. in a Facebook review. “they’ve the most beautiful vegan meals, great employees, beautiful cocktails, and a truly romantic environment.”
The Acorn encourages diners to cure on their own to an unforgettable experience, and lots of lovers choose this bistro because the setting due to their many enchanting moments together. Scott said he remembers one couple whom met for a first day within Acorn and then go back to the cafe as children with young ones in tow. They look at the Acorn once they’re remembering anniversaries, birthdays, alongside special events.
“It is amazing observe,” he mentioned. “which makes every thing rewarding, just understanding we have now touched physical lives and certainly will perform such an optimistic character in Vancouver.”
Scott and Shira exposed The Arbor some time ago so diners will have a regional spot to get take in some drink while waiting around for their particular table during a supper rush on Acorn. “We now require a third place for that,” Scott joked. “The Arbor’s range is outside.”
The Arbor has brought The Acorn’s farm-fresh eating plan and operate along with it, providing creative, answering, and attractive meals with strong tastes. The Arbor offers plant-based convenience food, while the kitchen doesn’t cut any edges. They also make ketchup and mustard in-house.
The Arbor diet plan is targeted on veggies, but it is never assume all salads and rabbit meals right here. The kitchen can make hearty vegetarian hamburgers, flatbreads, tacos, and steamed buns. The appetizers include classics like crunchy onion rings together with fresh meals like salty broccoli popcorn. The Southern Fried Artichoke Sandwich has become the popular meals from the diet plan. One glance at the components is sufficient to explain the reason why. Eggplant bacon. Acocado mousse. Spicy mayo. All on a ciabatta bun? Yes, please.
The Arbor is found on a purpose to create greens not only palatable but enjoyable. In words of this website, “we aren’t enthusiastic about likely to fantastic lengths to fool some body into thinking they are munching on beef. All of our meals is made from greens, and we also’re thrilled to present the range and incredible prospective they can supply.”
Numerous couples group towards the Arbor during the springtime and summer time because the cafe provides a gorgeous lawn patio lit with dazzling lights and surrounded by greenery. “We wanted to result in the patio into some thing really special,” Scott informed united states. “its a really intimate spot for a laid-back night out.”
It is generally uncommon discover a night out together area which provides a creative eating plan, charismatic service, and a cushty atmosphere, nevertheless Acorn monitors those cartons right after which some. This upscale bistro has actually attained a reputation in Vancouver for offering fresh and initial meals that are as fun to consider since they are to eat.
Scott and Shira started their unique matrimony as well as their restaurant in 2012, as well as’ve reaped the advantages of their ambition and vision during the decades since. Now the happy couple owns two vegetable-forward restaurants in Vancouver, in addition they continuously revise initial menus designed to please diners of all ages and diet behaviors.
“We surely want to hold situations new,” Scott mentioned. “The selection changes seasonally to highlight the styles in veggies, fresh fruits, nuts, alongside fresh components.”