The Arbor: Vegetarian comfort food from The Acorn team
The restaurateurs behind The Acorn have opened the doors to its sister restaurant, and it’s just down the street.
The Arbor Restaurant is located at 3941 Main Street, the former space of several previous short-lived concepts (Pop-Up Kitchen, Kitchen On Main, and Tapas 23) but judging by the new eatery’s food and relaxing atmosphere, this particular restaurant should be in operation for quite some time.
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Chef Rob Clarke has crafted a menu that offers a casual and quality selection of dine-in or take-out options for those looking for comfort food made with a vegetarian twist.
Hanna McLean/Daily HIve
Whether it’s the Arburger, a vegetarian take on the legendary McDonald’s Big Mac, or the Southern Fried Artichoke Sandwich complete with eggplant bacon and avocado mousse – Clarke has found a happy medium between innovative flavours, and recognizable dishes that patrons will come back to devour over and over again.
Owners Shira Blustein and Scott Lewis have teamed up with Paul McCloskey to create a 1,000 square-foot Main Street space that is a solid, comfortable contrast to the ever-popular Acorn, which Blustein says offers more abstract concepts and dishes. The team’s newest project tackles the classics.
Fried Oyster Mushrooms (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
With quick over-the-counter lunch service and hours that will draw those late-night snackers, this spot’s daily 11 am to midnight operating hours will allow busy customers to eat when it’s convenient for their schedules.
Blustein notes that their goal with The Arbor was not to attempt to make food look or taste like meat, but to integrate delicious, real ingredients into dishes that we all know and love and present them as what they truly are. A part of this concept was to simplify each dish by incorporating a handful of easily-recognizable ingredients.
Take the Spaghetti and Neatballs for instance – a winning combo of all day tomato sauce, almond parmesan, pasta, and garlic bread. This dish sits alongside an array of veggie-centric cuisine like the Pulled Jack-Fruit Steamed Buns, Tacos, and Artichoke Nuggets.
Chocolate Mousse Parfait (Hanna McLean/Daily Hive)
The Arbor’s dessert selection leaves you wanting to order both of its current options at once. The pumpkin bread pudding and the delicious chocolate mousse parfait made from chocolate coconut mousse, praline crumble, and lemon curd are seriously droolworthy.
The portion-sizes at The Arbor are ideal for sharing or splitting, like the slection of flatbread pizzas or the Fried Oysters, a must-try appetizer on the menu. This dish consists of of lightly battered oyster mushrooms and creamy dill sauce.
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
The space itself is super light and airy, but it’s intimate enough to make a meal here really memorable.
With plans for a back garden/patio reno in the spring that will double the seating of the space (right now it sits around 40), The Arbor is sure to become a place for regulars to head for a quick bite, or a late night feast in every season.
The Arbor is open daily from 11 to midnight.
Hanna McLean/Daily Hive
The Arbor Restaurant
Address: 3941 Main Street, Vancouver
Phone: 604-620-3256
Instagram: @arborvancouver