Editor’s Choice Award: The Acorn is a Vegetable-Forward Restaurant Where Vancouver partners Savor the Finer Things

The brief Version: The Acorn has actually helped revolutionize the Vancouver restaurant scene by creating more fresh vegetables an important appeal in almost every dinner. Their regular menu shows healthy and tasty vegetables sourced from neighborhood farms. Cafe owners Scott and Shira Blustein, which also very own The Arbor, challenge diners to achieve familiar dishes with a creative vegetable-forward angle, in addition to cafe’s enchanting atmosphere sets the feeling for a one-of-a-kind date night on Main Street.

Vancouver few Scott and Shira Blustein got hitched and opened their unique first restaurant, called The Acorn, in identical month in 2012. The newlyweds had loads on their dishes, as you would expect.

“It was a bit crazy, and that I would not advise doing it like that,” Scott mentioned with fun. “nevertheless resolved well.”

The Acorn’s basic customers had been Scott and Shira’s loved ones and friends, have been in town the wedding. These out-of-towners attempted the selection and provided the newlyweds helpful comments on the total culinary experience.

Right away, Scott and Shira have endeavored to create one thing entirely initial by cultivating new flavors and a cool environment. The Acorn boasts a vegetable-forward diet plan, meaning veggies are star from the program. The bathroom are known as things such as “Radish” and “Carrot” to focus on the significance of those simple ingredients.

Throughout the years, the Acorn has generated a stellar reputation through their unique and stylish utilization of natural fruits & vegetables. Couples frequently come here to cure themselves to some thing extraordinary, plus the sultry songs, intimate illumination, and delectable meals don’t disappoint.

The bistro’s environment contributes to the peaceful charm. This decoration is actually all-natural and classic — just as the menu. The truth is many dark colored tarnished lumber and stay green plants. The room provides today’s, minimalistic believe that can make a stark feeling.

“It really is dark, moody, and enchanting,” Scott stated. “the structure had previously been an old Italian spot that had been available for twenty five years — it actually was a real organization in the neighborhood — and we also planned to maintain the fictional character and spirit of these location while rejuvenating it.”

Scott and Shira actually spend some time to make an original playlist of underground music performed by little-known writers and singers. Scott mentioned the guy often views individuals taking out fully their unique devices to check up the track that’s playing, plus the songs enables make new friends giving clients something you should go over or ponder.

“we desire men and women to feel at ease whilst having this original knowledge,” Scott mentioned. “our very own vegetable-forward objective differentiates united states from others in your neighborhood. We are a plant-based cafe, therefore we origin all our create from farms throughout British Columbia.”

A new undertake Locally Sourced Ingredients

The Acorn generally only accepts reservations for its household table, which seats 6 to 8 folks. Other dining tables are available on a first-come, first-served foundation. It’s a good idea to demonstrate upwards early to conquer the crowds as the Acorn may have very a wait. Consumers also can create reservations for any size dining table on Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve, and other major holidays. Be sure to reserve a couple seeks girl weeks ahead to make sure you will get enough time slot you want.

The Acorn alters their selection every several months to emphasize the types regarding the period. Simply picking a drink on club is a tall purchase because every thing looks tasty. The trademark cocktails infuse advanced liquors with organic vegetables & fruits, therefore the bar also serves non-alcoholic fruit products, including house-made lemonade.

Then you certainly get to the brunch or meal diet plan in which you’ll discover inventive veggie dishes plated with precision and attention.

Cook Brian Luptak is consistently coming up with imaginative approaches to provide colourful and healthier veggie meals making sure that customers go away feeling entirely satiated. In addition to his task experience most importantly resort organizations and family-owned restaurants, Brian provides an educational background in artwork and concept, so he’s a watch for beauty, that will help him come up with an altogether spectacular recipe.

The Acorn cultivates really love and admiration for meals among its personnel, and each and every plate is actually lovingly prepared and shared to clients. “We just take many satisfaction in how meals is released and lands on the table,” Scott stated. “Presentation is vital.”

The Acorn’s eating plan is full of astonishing yet common meals — for example deep-fried artichokes and waffles — that satisfy vegans, non-meat eaters, carnivores, and everybody in between. The Halloumi is actually a certain ideal, and Scott mentioned it is ideal for diners that are a tiny bit wary of the meatless diet plan. This beer-battered deep-fried mozzarella cheese makes for an indulgent and filling entrée supported by a zucchini and potato pancake including smashed peas and perfect yogurt.

The Acorn offers a meatless diet plan where veggies are not disguised as meat replacements or apologetically plated in side meals. Veggies would be the centerpiece to each and every appetizer and main dish. Whether you’re looking into a crispy cauliflower and mushroom risotto or splitting a chocolate almond fudge brownie, you’ll experience the pleasure of an easy, nutritious, and answering meal made new just for you.

“everything I actually value regarding the Acorn is their focus on information,” stated Vanessa N. in a Yelp overview. “Each recipe was actually consists of a lot more subsequently some materials, that can easily be difficult to make work harmoniously. But every thing ended up being very balanced, aesthetically spectacular, and craveable.”

Fostering Romance & producing Memories Since 2012

The Acorn honors fresh food and brings men and women including its seasonal flavors. Prompted by their success, the adventurous culinary group keep moving on their own to innovate, collaborate, and develop. They usually have traveled to farms inside U.S. and Canada and hosted special dinners where they can check their skills.

Once or twice a-year, The Acorn arranges a special meal in collaboration with a nearby winery or brewery. This ticketed event characteristics new meals combined with superior wines or drinks. The Acorn kitchen area creates a five-course dinner, even though the winery or brewery handpicks the right beverage to come with each dish.

1st Vintage + Veg event in Summer 2015 was actually a big hit, especially among couples. These yearly meals consist of as much as 36 visitors, that makes it a romantic yet personal environment for an unforgettable day.



Lots of residents have already been visiting The Acorn consistently and possess observed their own relationships blossom one meal at the same time. The bistro’s regulars savor unique dishes while lingering inside warm and friendly environment.

“The Acorn is without question my ‘Special celebration’ go-to,” stated Rhiannon W. in a fb review. “obtained the most beautiful vegan food, great team, lovely cocktails, and a very romantic environment.”

The Acorn encourages diners to treat themselves to an unforgettable knowledge, and lots of couples choose this restaurant since the environment for his or her most passionate minutes with each other. Scott stated he recalls one few which came across for an initial time at Acorn nowadays go back to the cafe as a family with youngsters in tow. They check out the Acorn once they’re celebrating wedding anniversaries, birthdays, as well as other special events.

“It really is incredible observe,” the guy stated. “that produces every little thing worthwhile, only understanding we have now touched everyday lives and that can perform such a positive role in Vancouver.”

Today Introducing The Arbor eatery all over Corner

Scott and Shira unsealed The Arbor some time ago so diners might have a nearby spot to get take in some wine while waiting for their own table during a dinner hurry during the Acorn. “We currently need a 3rd spot for that,” Scott joked. “The Arbor’s range is often out the door.”

The Arbor has taken The Acorn’s farm-fresh diet plan and operate along with it, offering creative, answering, and eye-catching dishes with bold flavors. The Arbor offers plant-based comfort food, and the kitchen area does not reduce any corners. They also make ketchup and mustard in-house.

The Arbor selection is concentrated on vegetables, but it’s only a few salads and bunny food here. The kitchen tends to make hearty vegetarian hamburgers, flatbreads, tacos, and steamed buns. Its appetizers feature classics like crunchy onion bands also experimental meals like salty broccoli popcorn. The Southern Fried Artichoke Sandwich has become the common meals on the diet plan. One consider the ingredients is enough to describe exactly why. Eggplant bacon. Acocado mousse. Spicy mayo. All on a ciabatta bun? Yes, please.

The Arbor is on a purpose to create veggies just palatable but satisfying. Inside terms with the web site, “we aren’t into attending great lengths to fool some one into considering they’re eating beef. The meals is created from vegetables, and in addition we’re happy to flaunt the wide variety and amazing prospective they are able to supply.”

A lot of partners flock on Arbor throughout the spring season and summer as the cafe features a gorgeous lawn patio lit with sparkling lighting and enclosed by greenery. “We desired to make the patio into anything really special,” Scott informed us. “It really is a really passionate location for an informal date night.”

The Acorn tends to make Veggies Sexy & Elegant

It is unusual to locate a date area which provides an innovative diet plan, charismatic service, and a comfortable atmosphere, nevertheless Acorn checks dozens of cartons immediately after which some. This upscale restaurant has generated a credibility in Vancouver for helping fresh and original meals being as fun to examine because they are to eat.

Scott and Shira started their own wedding in addition to their restaurant in 2012, and’ve gained the key benefits of their particular ambition and sight in the decades since. Now the couple possesses two vegetable-forward restaurants in Vancouver, and they constantly update initial menus designed to satisfy diners of all ages and dietary habits.

“We absolutely like to hold circumstances fresh,” Scott said. “The menu changes seasonally to emphasize the flavors in greens, fruits, crazy, and other fresh materials.”