Review The Acorn Restaurant - Vancouver

The Acorn! Brilliant ideas for veggie dishes. Being a vegetarian, it's always a struggle to find a good tasting menu restaurant and boy The Acorn delivers! I'd also recommend it to my meat loving friends since I have finally experienced a place that does justice to Vegetables in their true form and brings out some unique flavors. Must try their innovative dishes and the service staff is also top class. The tasting menu concept here was also different since they do sharable plates for 2 vs serving each individual their own dish each time, which some people enjoy and some don't. Personally I like the sharing concept. The plating of each dish was immaculate and totally worthy of a 5-star experience. We paid $69 plus taxes per person for the chef's tasting menu which is definitely worth it. Their reservations are through Tock and they sell out quickly so would recommend planning a week or so ahead in case you're only in the city for a few days like we were. Thanks again to The Acorn team for a wonderful dinner experience.

A fabulous brunch/lunch! Definitely worth the hype. They do things with vegetables that will amaze you. Every dish was really inventive and delicious, and the staff were very friendly. Also great value! Would definitely recommend visiting if you're in Vancouver, this was by far the best meal we had on our trip to Canada

Holy moly - incredible food! We attended acorn for my 30th birthday and tried the tasting menu with wine pairing, what an experience! Each course was meticulously crafted and absolutely delicious. As a vegetarian I appreciated the unique use of ingredients and flavours to create the variety of courses. Also, the stress of having to choose what eat was completely taken away as the chef chooses for you, ha! Each course the staff offered an explanation of the wine pairing which was greatly appreciated as well. They don’t seem to offer anything in particular for birthdays if you’re someone looking for a candle, glass of bubbly, etc to celebrate your occasion… but overall a great experience.

Overall: I independently tackled the CAD $69 tasting menu that came with an amuse Bouche and 8 courses, and was more than satisfied with the serving sizes, flavors, dining service, and price. Highly recommend for vegetarians and non-vegetarians. Ambiance: Small, cozy space with great lighting and appropriate noise level to comfortably enjoy a conversation with your table. Service: 2 hour tasting experience. The timing between a couple of the dishes were a little quick but I don't mind and it's better than having to wait too long, right? Waiters/Waitresses were lovely, took the time to briefly describe each plate, and offered me the option ofa takeout box as they noticed I was slowing down. Food: I consider myself to have a large appetite and I was full at the end of the meal (with leftovers). My favorite was the "Nettle," which I finished and probably contributed the most to my fullness due to the addictive nut-based sauce. My least favorite was the oil dip accompanying the grilled bread; I recall the waitress saying there was a citrus element, but I could not really taste much flavor in the oil dip. All other dishes had a great contrast of textures and flavors that worked well together.

Our first time to Acorn and it was a pleasurable experience! Neither my wife or I are vegetarian, but the meals are made with such love that anyone would enjoy these finely crafted meals! Mischa was our server and provided such a warm friendly greeting. He was very knowledgeable and explained the menu to us in great detail. This helped us decide on the Chefs Menu. A menu crafted around your food restrictions, yet a complete surprise for what will be arriving in a multi-course meal. I still couldn't tell you what was on our plates, but I could say that everything was flavorful and well presented. The price is pretty steep for brunch, but the level of service could easily justify the cost. Mischa had my coffee cup topped up with precision timing without asking. A simple act that separates quality service from another establishment. Looking forward to returning to try the Dinner menu. Lastly, I'll mention that I want to return with my neice who is a celiac. I was informed that Acorn would be able to accommodate the request. If my review helped, please give me a 👍 Thanks!

The most uniquely curated menu! Our waitress was very friendly and gave some very good suggestions but what really blew me away was the gentleman that came over after handing us our food that told us the backstory of the different items that we were about to eat. Really projected this to another level that made it super memorable and makes me want to come back a million times.

A really wonderful experience! I definitely recommend the tasting menu with friends- it’s so fun trying each dish and discussing. The flavours are really great, but trend on the acidic side- which might not be everyone’s preference. The drinks and service were also lovely. I will recommend it to others and definitely return!

I was a bit apprehensive about coming here because I’m not a vegetarian and I saw some reviews of people leaving hungry but I’m glad I still tried it. The flavours were great and the service was excellent as well. The menu is seasonal so perhaps because the winter vegetables are more hearty, I was full by the time I left.

We were absolutely blown away by our meal at The Acorn. We came for our wedding reception, and we could not have imagined a better experience. We were greeted with a complimentary class of Champagne to start the evening off, and directly after that the first 'snack' was presented - the 'forest floor' - a raw coriander hummus with picked/raw veggies. From there, course after beautiful course of perfectly executed, artfully plated and expertly timed dishes were brought out, each dish eclipsing the last. Douglas Fir and Tomato Pate, Kale Caesar Salad, The Chefs Plate, Spring Pea Pasta, Raw Rhubarb Crepes and chocolate ice cream were just a few of the dishes we got to savor during our dining experience. Most of the guests in our party were not vegan or even vegetarian, and were thinking that they were going to be served 'rabbit food.' All of them were fully surprised at not only the quality of this meal that was made only from plants, but also the creativity and diversity of dishes. We were told countless times that they would never have imagined that vegan food could be so stunning. The service was also spectacular, we were never left waiting for a course, nor were we rushed, even though we showed up late and they had another party coming in after us. Everything exceeded expectation, and we could not have asked for a better first meal as husband and wife. Thank you so much Acorn, You are true professionals. <3

We have been several times. It's a little bit pricy but you pay for what you get. It's not just ordi y végéta/vegan food. It's small and quaint. This Monday we had a dish called "Tomato" a pâré like dish wit some cios. Loved it! Next my husband had the Halloumi it is deliciou but a little bit rich for me. I o steal a couple items though. I had the Harvest as my main dish. I have had it in the abut in the fall and it was super tasty. This time the spring Harvest I didn't like as much. The grilled green onions and fennel were way too hard to cut without making a lot of plate noise. But the rest of the dish was amazing. Did not have dessert this time as we were a bit full.

This is the most efficient restaurant I have ever been to! Our appetizer arrived within 5 minutes of placing the order; after we finished, the servers cleared our plates and brought out our mains within a minute. After finishing the mains, the plates were cleared and our dessert was served a minute later. In short, we never waited for more than 5 minutes at a time, despite being there at a fairly busy hour. The servers were incredibly friendly, diligent in asking all customers about dietary restrictions, and knowledgeable about the ingredients of each menu item. We ordered the Kale (appetizer), Halloumi and Harvest (mains) and Peach (dessert), and all of them tasted incredible. I should also mention that their interior design is quite charming! I don't live in Vancouver but The Acorn is definitely a restaurant I'll be revisiting.

Excellent flavors, great service. Best vegan food I've had. Only complaint is that they are small so sometimes a very long wait. Well worth it and staff do their best to get you in though

We arrived the restaurant at 5:35 pm 5 min after the restaurant opened. There was a line up being seated .we didn't wait long . The service was attentive .We started with taro chips & beet dip. Then we had the battered halomi cheese ,with pea mash. The burrata salad. All three were good. But the gnocchi was very good. Dessert was ok . I recommend this restaurant

The best earth conscious creative and delicious food in Vancouver!

There is no better vegetarian restaurant in Vancouver! Great food every time and have never been disappointed!

Last night was my first time at The Acorn. We were short on time but decided to pop in for appies and drinks. WE WERE BLOWN AWAY The menu is incredible and the staff was so accommodating to get us in and out in our short timeline. The food was beyond anything we expected - super inventive, flavours and textures I'd have never thought to put together. I said "If the appies are this good, we definitely need to come back and try the mains!!" And the drinks... I'm not a big drinker, so while my husband loves a glass of white that we couldn't pronounce, I had a non-alcoholic drink... something orchard? It was the first time I felt like I was still having a cocktail and not missing out. Thank you to you and your staff for helping us create some beautiful memories. We will definitely be back.

Beautifully played food with taste to match. These guys do an amazing job of crafting vegetarian dishes that make even the heartiest meat eaters salivate. Probably why it's ranked one of the top 5 restaurants in Canada.

Always on my "must visit" list,when I am in Vancouver. Elegant and delicious, without being pretentious..... Amazing staff too!!!

One of the best spots for vegetarian food in the city.

Very good! If the food is like this I want to be a vegetarian. This restaurant is simply the best from the food to the service! �

This is the one place I've been that truly elevates vegetarian food.

Really enjoyed it. Excellent food. Great staff. Will go again.

I just wanted to thank the staff at the Acorn for saving my birthday. The food was amazing, as were the drinks and desserts; the thing that will make me go back was the staff. I got not good service at another restaurant, we ended up leaving and coming to the Acorn. I mentioned it to the hostess at the Acorn and they went above and beyond to make sure that we had an amazing meal. thank you again and we will definitely be back

I've eaten here once, food is outstanding!!!! Vegetarian cuisine on another level completely. I would recommend going as two, and be prepared to wait for a while on weekends. We brought Vegan friends from out of town on a Friday night hoping for a table, and were turned away at 9:30....which was kind of sad

Daym, the food was great. If had veggies cooked this well when I was a kid I would have eaten waaaaayyyyy more. The only negative was the portion size and its probably not really a problem. My husband is a behemoth and eats a lot, obviously. So the portions are likely well suited for most people. Food was so so good, super simple but delicious.

Been out twice now for brunch at The Acorn, which specializes in vegetarian/vegan food. It’s a few steps down from Zakkushi. Sign outside. Didn’t realize they had happy hour (10:00pm to midnight). The inside is small but cute; bar area to the left, tables to the right. Their seating policy is lame; your whole party needs to be there before they’ll sit you during busy times. Our two friends were late so they wouldn’t sit us (even though there were multiple tables free). Service wasn’t the best but at least you can get sparkling or distilled water on tap.

Terrible experience. Ruined my mom's birthday. <br/><br/>The owner and the staff poorly communicated. Therefore, they messed up our reservation. When we arrived we got no table. The staff panic when they found out. And they could not come up with a solution, did not have any suggestions, did not offer any compensation. Basically nothing...<br/><br/>So on my mom's birthday which I really carefully planned for her. The 6 of us, holding a birthday cake has to stand outside and wait for half an hour without knowing what to do. A wonderful night I will never forget. I was proud I did not swear

This restaurant exceeded my expectations, offering truly delicious and inventive vegetarian food, a lovely atmosphere and brilliant service. We had the mushroom appetizer, “Harvest” special and battered halloumi for entrees and brownie for dessert and each dish was complex and packed with flavor. Our server was so genuinely kind and made the whole experience even better. In my opinion, for the quality of food, the price is very reasonable. Would definitely go back and would highly recommend (even if you aren’t vegetarian)!

Such a lovely evening with my dearest Caitlin and her love... chef of the night #brianluptak You won't believe your eyes when you see the dishes and you can't imagine how a cabbage can be that much delicious...

Not gonna lie - Vancouver has a lot of overhyped food and restaurants in our opinions but this restaurant was absolutely perfect.<br/><br/>From service, to the menu, atmosphere, decor, knowledgeable staff, good value, cleanliness and more - we were impressed. We actually felt like we were dining out as a treat rather than 'bus your own plates' kind of establishment. <br/><br/>The only reason why it wasn't 5/5 was my preference of a larger portion and a lack of a place for my coat (not a deal breaker but it being on the back of my chair had it touching the floor). We got two main courses, and if you come hungry - and usually eat a lot, it probably won't be enough. I do like that their menu isn't overwhelming/large, and the server was extremely well versed in it and the ingredients. The food tasted fresh, vibrant flavours, unique combinations (and for someone who's still struggling to eat less meat, I didn't miss meat one bit!) Food came out quickly.<br/><br/>Washrooms were clean and maintained, spacious, again - nicely decorated. They even had a recording of a bird chirping playing in the background!<br/><br/>I actually can't wait to make a point of coming back here to try what else they have on their menu.

Expect to wait because this place is small. We came here for Sunday brunch and waited for 20 minutes for a table of 4. It took them some time to clean the table and sat us down. Waited for another 5 minutes for our server (which is also the hostess) to give us water (complimentary sparkling water btw). Another 5 minutes for her to come take our drink order, another 5 minutes to get our drinks, and another 5 minutes to finally take our food order. That was already 20 minutes past we sat down. Unfortunately the place is so small that they probably won't be able to hire another server but I would strongly suggest they hire someone at the bar just to make the drinks much faster and help out the waitresses a bit. Food was not bad (or maybe because we were just too hungry anything would taste good) but portion is a bit small.

Excellent vegetarian food in a very tight space. Often had a wait out the door that was aggravating and we don't go as much because of it. I really like the halloumi dish and they have a decent selection of whiskies.

As you all can figure from my posts, I love meat. Initially I was skeptical about going to The Acorn, thinking it may be over-rated, over-hyped. Turns out the food was delicious, well-executed and well thought out. Perhaps the portion size may not satisfy all, but it’s definitely worth a visit from the carnivores.

I. Love. This. Restaurant. <br/>Came here two years ago for the first time on my birthday. I was the only vegan out of a table of 9 and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Had such a great time, being vegan this place is a dream. Beautifully presented whole food without processed/refined, gross fake meat ingredients.<br/>Recently came back for the second time this month and it did not disappoint at all.<br/><br/>Food: always amazing. They just know how to cook everything just right, use herbs and other foods for flavour, everything is always seasoned well. It's like thoughtful, fancy vegan/vegetarian in a nice but casual setting. Look at my photos and you'll see.<br/><br/>It's always busy and they don't take reservations unless it's for 7 or more I believe. So arrive when they open or be prepared to wait.<br/><br/>I can't wait to go back when I'm in Van next.

Man alive! This place is amazing. Words won't do it justice, so my advice would be to experience it yourself. I would even go as far as to suggest it is the ideal place for a first date. Why? Because if your date manages to find fault with any aspect of their dining experience, there should be no second date. Simple as that.

Love the dimmed interior. The restaurant is relatively narrow and It's usually crowded, therfore not the quietest ambient you will get. cocktail was nice, all the entrée were creative and delicious. their dessert - lavender creme Brulee. .... heavenly!<br/><br/>

Came here for a late dinner for someone's birthday. It is a small restaurant, but it wasn't full this time. The staff was friendly and attentive. I had the harvest, which was presented very well, and flavorful. The pasta dish was also quite good.

The Acorn is one unique restaurant in Vancouver where you can indulge in a vegetarian-style gastronomic adventure.  Even CNN named them as one of the World’s 11 best vegetarian destinations.  Their menu caters to vegans and gluten-free diners but still delivers uncompromising flavour and unadulterated pleasure.

[03/26/16] I didn’t think the brunch would fill me up at my initial glance, but the smaller portions actually allowed me to eat slower and savour each bite and in the end, it did satisfy me. The service was exceptional- our waitress was friendly to talk to and very attentive as well. The prices are on the higher end, but I think for the quality and uniqueness of the dishes, it’s worth the splurge. I definitely want to try their dinner selection at another time!<br/><br/>Food: 4.5/5 | Service: 5/5 | Value: 4/5 | Ambiance: 4/5

A refreshing twist on raw & vegetarian food. Every bite was packed with flavour. The kale salad was a delicious take on a Caesar salad. The cabbage dish was very well composed, with all the flavours coming together nicely. The panna cotta was tasty but the sauce needed to be a bit thicker. <br/><br/>Great service: quick and friendly. Complimentary sparkling water is always nice too.

Lovely Sunday brunch at The Acorn. The service was prompt initially; we were offered sparkling or flat water. Complimentary bread and caramelized onion "butter" was presented, and a gluten-free option for a member of our party. Food was served promptly. I had the Artichoke with an added fried poached egg. The artichokes were wonderful and the egg was poached perfectly in my opinion. The only issue was that we were not checked in on during our meal. Overall a great atmosphere and delicious food. I will definitely be returning to try more brunch items and also the dinner menu.

My friend wanted to eat dinner here and I wasn't to enthusiastic but figured why not try something new. I was in the mood for meat and it's a vegetarian place...<br/><br/>Our mushroom starter was beautifully presented and for the most part had good flavor but I wouldn't have called it mind blowing. I'd stick more with good.<br/><br/>For our main I ordered the deep fried Halloumi cheese plate and and my friend ordered the Brassica. As a lactose intolerant I know I'm safe with Halloumi but sadly no where on the menu did it mention the cream they added to my peas. It just says "smashed peas". It was silly I should have asked or mentioned my intolerance but in a place so specific about what's in the dish to miss the cream I thought was misleading. Thank goodness I had my lactose pills in my purse or that would have ended worse than it did.<br/><br/>I was also dissapointed when the waitress brought out the wrong main for my friend. It was an honest mistake and she was friendly but it never makes for a great experience.<br/><br/>The Halloumi cheese dish was the best thing we ate in the restaurant, it was rich and decedent. The Brassica was a fu fu plate in my opinion with only the roasted red cabbage in rosemary actually tasting like anything. The cabbage was delicious to bad about the rest of the dish.<br/><br/>All in all I wouldn't rush back, it's such a shame as I've heard great things. Maybe we ordered the wrong things ??<br/><br/>On the plus side it was a good atmosphere, their food presentation is spectacular and cannot be faulted and although I didn't try one, the cocktails looked amazing.<br/><br/>

Been here twice now and both times were average to disappointing experiences. Food is always over salted and overpriced for what you get. The brunch skillet I got was actually 80% inedible as it was so burnt and the waitress did not seem to notice. Overall customer service is good though. For a good vegetarian/vegan meal with the upscale feel but without the food pretentiousness, head to Heirloom instead.

The service was great, they did give great advice on the food and even advised us to try another dish because the 2 dishes we were initially going to order and share were apparently similar. The food was fresh and I really enjoyed the presentation for the food. I wasn't too full after eating here, but at least this gave us room for dessert 😊.

It was the first time my family went to a non-Asian vegetarian restaurant, and everyone loved the food there. Not the small space of the restaurant though.. We were told they take reservations for 8 people, and when we arrived, the biggest table there was so small that it seemed like a table for 5-6 people only.<br/><br/>Anyways, my favorite dish was this appetizer, Matsutake. (Roasted Cauliflower, Pine Mushroom Cashew Mousse, Apple Jelly, Toasted Potato Focaccia, Hazelnut Almond Cracker, Spruce Salt.) I totally enjoyed the sweetness from the apple jelly and the earthiness of mushroom flavor. Definitely will order this again!<br/><br/>For main, most people at my table ordered the Halloumi - Beer Battered Halloumi, Zucchini + Potato Pancake, Smashed Peas, Mint Yogurt, Acorn Garden Lemon Balm. So basically deep fried cheese with pan fried potato cake, on a bed of smashed peas.<br/><br/>Everything sounded very nice and my first few bites were amazing too. However, it got very heavy afterwards, as the dish got quite oily and the three big cheeses were too rich. I really enjoyed the smashed peas though, it had great flavors. I wish there were more acidity or refreshing ingredients in this dish other than the mint yogurt. Overall, it was a yummy dish but I could only eat half of it.

I came here for the first time yesterday with my meat-eating family, and we all loved it. We didn't expect the portions to be so large; it was difficult to finish. I got to try the Herb and Corn from their Autumn menu. Both were flavorful and amazing. I don't like mushrooms, but the sauce that was served in the Corn with the cornmeal worked so well with the mushrooms. The Herb (pasta) was also indescribably flavorful. The Sur Une Plage and Sakura Iced Tea were also wonderful; the latter was delicately sweetened and floral, and the Sur Une Plage had an elegant aftertaste that contrasted with the carbonation. I would definitely want to come here again just to try their other seasonal dishes.

Got to the resturaunt in perfect timing, there was a line out the door 15 minutes after we got there. The staff got the line seated quickly and our food was out pretty fast. It was delicious and fair priced

I ordered the Halloumi, and was definitely fooled by how seemingly small the plate was and the lack of meat, but I was stuffed by the time I got through about half of the plate. It was a lot of cheese and vegetables to fill my tummy with.<br/><br/>I would definitely recommend trying The Acorn for their creative plates, unique flavour combinations, and vegetarian food that strays from the typical salad!<br/><br/>withmatchalove.wordpress.com

It was my birthday and my boyfriend and I decided to try Heirloom.. 45 minutes AFTER we ordered our food we were told that they only had 1 burger patty and hadn't even started making the food. <br/><br/>We decided to go to the Acorn as we had gone there a few years ago for my birthday. we got in quickly and the hostess apologized about the wait (about 2 or 3 min!) I made a joke about how it was nothing compared to the wait at Heirloom we ordered our food super quickly as we were pretty hungry. before our mains came out we were brought over an appetizer dish free of charge because they thought we would be really hungry after our wait at Heirloom. the service was incredible and the food was amazing as was the drink that I had. The Acorn definitely saved my birthday!

Easily my favourite restaurant in Vancouver. The food is something special, and the service is friendly and unpretentious. The beer battered halloumi cheese is probably my favourite bite of the year. Their menu changes frequently based on the season so it's always fresh and new when you go. The portion sizes are very good, and you definitely do not leave hungry.

Amazing, inventive vegetarian food. The dishes are like pieces of art, exploding with colour and flavour. You won't find tofu stir-fries or veggie burgers on the menu here. Only creative masterpieces.<br/><br/>Acorn is a world-class restaurant and Vancouver is lucky to have it.

Firstly, we subscribe to weekly CSA boxes and favor a vegetable-heavy diet, but this place was an unabashed rip-off where meals consist of morsels of farming detritus and playful sauces, backed by an understanding that decorations count as food. It has done everything right in terms appeasing the crowd of the dreaded H word (of which we're guiltily a part of), from cheap ingredients dressed as luxury goods (omg beets) fashioned by visual-centric chefs with a complete ignorance of what taste buds are for, to the obligatory appallingly small portions. And this is coming from someone who enjoys eating plain tofu and has a low-sodium diet. I would not come back if these guys paid me.

We were blown away with our experience at the acorn. This place serves up such a unique and ever changing menu with a focus on farm to table plant based foods. We couldn't believe the amount of depth and flavour each dish had, with a refreshing and innovative take on vegetarian food. Our favorite dish of the night was the halloumi! We will be back to try their brunch menu!

Very inventive, fresh, vegetarian fare. Friendly service, and a nice bar to order a drink while you wait, I'd go back just for a cocktail (but would probably get tempted to food as well, let's be honest). By no means do you have to be vegetarian to enjoy this place, the flavours are full and servings can be large.

The Worst. This place was terrible. $19 for undercooked risotto topped with overcooked root veg? Unbelievably rude and pretentious service. I had some simple questions about the wine list and the server looked at me like I was crazy. She had NO IDEA what she was talking about. Nice room but geez, I really can't understand the hype. Go get the vegetarian/ vegan tasting menu at Yew if you're looking for good vegetarian food. This place is not worth the trek or the price tag.

Amazing, even for a non-veggie :). Not a vegetarian or a vegan and don't mind gluten whatsover but this place really got me. Came here with a group of four and I was blown away by the food. The chefs here really take their time to prepare and make art with their food. Similarly, the enthusiasm of the waiters was very contagious :) Would def. come again!

Vegetarian cuisine at its finest. I finally managed to try the Acorn with my boyfriend (the reluctant carnivore) and I can say that this was easily one of the best meals both of us have had. We tried the baked cauliflower, leek spread, halloumi and the squash pasta. Each dish was bursting with strong and very complex flavours. Attention has been put into every detail - including the visual aesthetics. <br/><br/>I highly recommend you stuff yourself and also get dessert. The baked apple dessert came with an amazing pistacio and mango sauce. While the toffee dessert had a nice maple twist. <br/><br/>Also a very romantic setting (dim lights, candles, intimate size) for date nights! <br/><br/>Will definitely be back!

Really tasteless dish for the price. Went here with a few friends recently and won't be going back. My boyfriend had the Hen of the Woods noodle dish and it was just awful. It honestly tasted like plain lasagna noodles with just a bit of mushroom smeared on. My dish was much better (I can't remember the name of mine), but still not tasty enough to justify the price. We had a couple of mixed drinks which were small but tasty.<br/><br/>Very overpriced for the quality you receive. We won't be going back, but hopefully they just had an off night because I've heard that others have enjoyed their dinners here.

Terrible. Easily the worst service I have ever experienced in my life. Just truely awful staff.

I was disappoint with my trip to the resturant to start with when we asked about something specific about the drinks the waitress said I dunno and waved her hand dismissively. Also when I ordered I asked to start with my appetizer (because I was extremely hungry) she came back and asked if I wanted it before my meal and I replied yes then when I got my food she brought it all out at once and place my main Infront of me when I had asked for my appetizer twice. My friend I was with

Excellent Vegetarian Food/ Poor Service. First, the food is excellent. The dishes are filled with fresh and interesting ingredients, such as spicy greens, fresh vegetables and delicious combinations. This is a wonderful wonderful vegetarian meal. There is GF and V options, so it will not disappoint.<br/><br/>However, the long bearded waiter ruined the experience. First, the hair from his beard was shedding as he walked around the restaurant - hairs floating from his beard to the ground. The beard was long and bushy and un-groomed - I would say probably to his chest. Second, he completely ignored our table and got the drink order wrong. I ordered a Syrah and the wine was Cabernet Franc. When we told him we had been waiting 45 minutes with no food, while tables all around us were on their second course, he snipped back that it was a busy restaurant. <br/><br/>I dont understand why restaurants that have such great food, can have such terrible waiters. I guess they feel they can treat people any way they want because there is an air of arrogance about the food.<br/><br/>But guess what, the waiter does not cook the food, so again as in my past reviews, a restaurant is the sum of the experience not just the individual parts.

Best meal of my life.. A couple weeks ago, I had the best meal I have ever eaten at The Acorn. In my opinion, the best items on the menu are: The Artichoke Paté, Halloumi, and Hen of the Woods. The flavours were all so multidimensional and everything was cooked perfectly, especially the mushrooms. Also, their cocktails are so lovely! If I could eat here every day, I would.

Great Eats Even for Non-Vegetarian. I'm a serious omnivore and had doubts about eating at a vegetarian place. But my doubts were misplaced and I'm eager to come back and try it again!

Vegetarian food meaters crave for. Went on a date yesterday night and had a blast here. Sat at the bar and was blown away how amazing it was. Attentive service, food was spectacular, definitely will return with friends. I got the beer battered hayoumi, wow wow wow.

Great atmosphere and another interesting restaurant on Main Street but poor value. We had the gnocchi and croquette for appetizers. Both looked good but lack lustre flavours were disappointing. We shared the mushroom main which consisted of a few potato slices, a few mushroom slices and a sauce ( which was well done) but nineteen bucks??? Give me a break. The wine list was weak for the price too. No big reds... Like none. <br/>Both my date and I, who dine out a fair bit, left thinking that we had a fun evening, enjoyed the place itself but would never recommend it to friends because of the poor value. For the hundred dollar bill (tip included) one should expect more. Tapas 23 or the Locus would offer you much more

Splendid evening at The Acorn. We paid our first visit to The Acorn Saturday night and had an absolutely wonderful time. We sat at the bar, since the restaurant was every bit as busy as it deserves to be, and couldn't have been happier with the whole experience. I'm embarrassed to say I didn't get the bartender's name, but he made delicious drinks and was a thoroughly engaging and enlightening host for the evening. We loved the drinks he made for us and made careful note of his suggestions for making our own versions in the future. And the food was sublime! My daughter is vegan, my wife has some dietary requirements and I'm an omnivore -- and we were all not only satisfied, but enthralled. We will heartily recommend The Acorn to our friends and will count count the days until we are able to return. Well done!

Oh how I wish you'd take reservations...... I've eaten here once, food is outstanding!!!! Vegetarian cuisine on another level completely. I would recommend going as two, and be prepared to wait for a while on weekends. We brought Vegan friends from out of town on a Friday night hoping for a table, and were turned away at 9:30....which was kind of sad, so hence the title of my review.

Meat eaters will love this place!. Went on a Sunday night at 8pm and we got a table immediately. We had the sunflower pate to start, really fun little dish which arrives in a pot which is sealed with the smoke inside which creates a beautiful autumnal flavour and is super fun to open and have the smoke escape! I had the halloumi and could barely finish it and my boyfriend had the Harvest which was a green cauliflower risotto, both were deeeelish! This is my new fav restaurant although because of the price point will be a treat rather than a weekly thing. Our bill with 3 drinks came to $80. So worth it, this place is a must try!

Um?. The food was for sure unique and well presented. I love veg food in general and enjoyed the Acorn though I can't seem to see what all the hype is about. I left both times still a little hungry and usually just a main is enough for me. But I will be back and try some more dishes. I will always support veg restaurants (although the owner is not veg), for our health, the animals and the environment!

I Keep Coming Back For More!. Perfectly seasoned, beautifully presented and portion sizes that always leave me satisfied. Definitely one of my all time favourites!

Very good and tasty food. Atmosphere and decor wonderful. The only negative thing was the attitude of our server a bit snobbish and not a great attitude.

Attentive service, heavy on salt. Kale salad was good, tempeh was tasty and salty. Also tried the haloumi, cassoulet, carrot soup and mushroom pate. Alot of thought has gone into these dishes however each one we tried relied quite heavily on salt for palatability. Not sure if the lack of savoury flavours heightens the perception of plain "saltiness", but my lips were dry by the end of the meal. Was hoping for more vegetable flavours, spices or balanced taste sensations. Service and ambiance were great, however for vegetarian I'd go asian or indian hands down.

For a vegetarian restaurant they are very light on veggies. The main courses are loaded with carbs.

Love. Where do I start with this place?<br/><br/>I was nervous going here around 8pm with a gf after reading reviews that said there would be a line-up and we'd have to wait outside. I was ready to turn around and walk away if that were the case. And although there was a wait (about 20 minutes, with no place to sit) we were offered drinks while we stood and chatted inside. Well done. <br/><br/>A spot at the bar opened up first so we sat there. Great atmosphere and service. The bartender (french dude?) was attentive and personable. I tried both the Ad Astra and Mirror Lake cocktails. Amazing both for taste (I heart candied ginger) and value (crazy inexpensive as far as I'm concerned!).<br/><br/>As for food, I'm a pescetarian and my gf is non-veggie but gluten free. She got the Harvest, and being the health freak she is, was uber imressed. It looked a little "green" to me; I'm more the Yves fake meat type of vegetarian. I got the Porcini, and I loooved it. Warm and comforting. Right up my alley. <br/><br/>We didn't want to leave so we got desert. We got the Goji with raw chocolate. I almost stabbed bestie with my fork for the last bite.

Avoid if you're Vegan. Bad place to go if you're truly Vegan. They accidentally put dairy in 2 of our "vegan" dishes. The first time we saw the cheese - the second time we didn't notice until 2 of us got extreme gas pains and had to race home for Lactaid pills. <br/><br/>There were 3 female servers. 2 were nice but 1 was downright mean. If you're vegan you should avoid this place like a plate of dairy cheese.

Good food but dirty environment. Food was expensive......good taste....but the floors.....overall decor looks dirty and dull....my opinion but it needs a good clean....shine the floors to make it clean, bright, attractive.....very dark enterior....

Hesitating. I'm not sure what to say about The Acorn. Here is our dilemma. We were there for two desserts and wine when they first opened...to test out the new restaurant. We arrived at about 9:00. The food was good (one of the desserts was great)...but the service was surly and really kind of irritating. We felt we were interrupting the staff who were busy doing...something...not sure what. So now...we want to go to dinner with friends...but our memory of the bad service at the Acorn has us hesitating. Do we really want to go through the agony of poor service? When I read over the other reviews here I see it is a recurring theme. Decision time...

Oh Boy.... Tonight I went to The Acorn. We weren't greeted nicely at all after waiting outside for them to open at 5:30. We were never told about any specials. (We overheard at another table that there were in fact specials). The carrot soup was delicious. The main course was a cold dish and I asked if it could be warmed up a bit as I don't like cold food. The response was "We won't serve it warmed up". So I ordered it, took it home, and warmed it up. It was delicious. But the service was definitely questionable.

Great food but long waits and no reservations. I always enjoy the food here, but it is after having my mood largely spoiled by longs waits for a table. We have waited near an hour a couple times. They offer you a drink menu while you wait, but standing there in your coat in a crowded little foyer doesn't make holding a drink all that appealing. I don't think I will go back until they take reservations - if you have limited time this place is not a good bet for dinner.

Wonderful. The food, service, presentation, and value are all excellent here.<br/><br/>A great restaurant for a special occasion, but so reasonably priced you can go for no reason at all and feel ok.<br/><br/>Everything we ate was delicious, but the BEST thing was the beer battered saganaki. <br/><br/>The wait staff were incredibly friendly and helpful.

The first visit was magical, back in September. The second visit last weekend will make it difficult to go back. Waiting for an hour for a table is okay if it's worth it in the end - but it wasn't. I also don't mind paying $20 for an entree if its great food. It wasn't. I had a mushroom broth soup with soggy veggies and boring noodles. I could have easily made this at home...ichiban is $0.22 and tastes very similar to what we were served. We had the battered haloumi. The chunks were too big and room temp in the middle. We did enjoy the beet tartar - it was reminiscent of what made us like the restaurant in the first place. Unfortunately everything else makes me feel its gone downhill.

The Acorn- All Hype...under deliver. At the suggestion of a friend, we decided to try this new spot on Main St. Upon walking into to a semi full restaurant, i tried to make eye contact with some of the staff...usually when you walk into a restaurant, at least one of the staff "acknowledges" you. I could go to a hole-in-the-wall chinese restaurant in chinatown and NOT get ignored this hard!!!!....My companion had to walk right up to the bar and basically had to waive at the staff member behind the bar for them to acknowledge us.<br/><br/>We settled on sitting at the bar, and were presented with the menu. The space is fairly small, but cozy.....there were 2 servers/bartenders on. 2 staff to take care of the room.... manageable if the staff is efficient.........the key word being EFFICIENT.....when we asked questions about the menu items, we were answered with what we felt was a less than spectacular attitude.<br/><br/>We finally settled on a main and an appy....the presentation was nice, the food flavors was no more than average...and when we asked for extra pepercorn sauce....it was like we asked the server to walk across the world to get it. We weren't asking for him to move mountains...just an extra side of sauce.<br/><br/>I hate to say, but for $40 i would have rather eaten at Cactus Club, Earl's or Joey's.....they don't mind making mods to your food....and the serving staff asks how you're doing once in a while<br/><br/>I think the Acorn is fitting name for the place...'cause that is the object that is stuck in the employees behinds!!...<br/><br/>Visiti the Acorn is you're looking for a typical entitled hipster attitude and less than spectacular overpriced food.....

Not our cup of tea. I got a belated birthday gift for this place, so we went. We expected a lineup and long wait - but that didn't happen - we simply sat at the bar right away...easy as pie.<br/><br/>A nice & sweet ginger beer for me, a beer for my sweetie, good service...so far, so good. We shared the Walnut and the Parsnip appetizers: the Walnut was quite strange, unappetizing colour, super silky smooth panna cotta-like texture on juniper-flavoured crisps. I enjoyed the pickled mushrooms and certainly liked it more than my sweetie - she was quite turned off. The covered smoke contributed nothing to the dish - an ephemeral party trick that failed to impress.<br/><br/>The Parsnip was also enjoyed more so by me than my sweetie. I enjoyed the potato parsnip croquette and the lukewarm sauce with chunks of aged cheddar. My sweetie wanted it to be hotter to melt the cheese and she found the sauce too loose for her tastes.<br/><br/>I had the Pear salad: it was yummy, but overdressed. After a while, the frisee - as the only green on the plate - got to be quite bitter, but the extra dressing prevented it from being unpleasant to eat.<br/><br/>My sweetie had the Celery Root salad, which was also overdressed and was missing any trace of apple. The celery root was roasted whole, which is a nice idea but it meant that my sweetie had to peel it herself - a fair bit of work.<br/><br/>Dessert was dreadful: we shared the Coconut - a savoury panna cotta with tasteless pineapple, overwhelming lemongrass, terrible texture and we shudder to think what they did to the toasted coconut on top to get that texture - the mind boggles. She took one bite, I took two...and that was it.<br/><br/>So, clearly not the place for us. An interesting experience and that's about all I can say about it.

Amazing. Love The Acorn. Vegetarian, Vegan, or neither whatever your persuasion this is a great restaurant, up there with the best in the city. <br/><br/>Seasonal changes to the menu whilst keeping staples the same mean that frequent visits do not become samey. Good atmosphere, always busy and good experienced serving staff. <br/><br/>Go there!

You will not be disappointed. I was here on Friday. I will go back. First time I can remember a restaurant with vegan options that blow you away with flavour and don’t leave you feeling hungry. This ain’t no salad bar. Hardy yet eloquent, well prepared, thought out and presented meals is what you have to look forward to. This little gem offers a loungy feel without the plastic Yaletown... I’ll stop there. The chef has obviously worked in a number of environments and has brought those experiences to the table.

Highly recommended!. We had a girls night out at Acorn last night (6 of us). We loved it! We tried all appies and our favorites are the beet and the ricotta. The walnut is tasty as well but a bit small in portion. The kale salad is amazing! For mains, our favorites are the beer battred halloumi and the king oyster mushroom. The zucchini has nice presentation but it's a cold dish and no t too tasty. For desserts, we shared the coconut and the olive - both are great. Overall, we love the food as everything is VERY fresh, tasty and fast (the food came in 15 min). The drink menu is good but would be better with more cocktail choices. We think the service could have been better/more welcoming. It came to ~$60 for each of us with `2-3 drinks, entree, and shared appies/salad/desserts, which we felt to be reasonable! Overall, we will definitely come back as it is a good place to hang out. If you are planning to go there with a group of people, make sure to make reservation (6+) or go there when it opens at 5:30pm to not wait in line for hours.

Loved It!. Wonderful place. Finally a high end vegetarian place, with vegan options. Super menu, good, but small, wine list. Good service. Busy for a wednesday but sign of a popular restaurant. Decent portions too. I don't think I'd tire of the menu any time soon but suspect it changes with the seasons.

Just keeps getting better. I have an Acorn addiction and as it gets worse the Acorn just keeps getting better. Warm, friendly service and the most delicious food that makes you feel sovgood about yourself afterwards. Can't say that about many addictions...

This was a treat. "Fine Dining" in price, service and quality of food. But how many times does a vegetarian do fine dining and have to eat mushroom risotto, Mediterranean pasta, tofu stir fry or a veggie burger? I love that the bar has now been set high!!<br/><br/>Halloumi and zucchini pancake was the highlight of our meal. The eggplant roast was also full of flavour and textures. For dessert, we enjoyed the peanut terrine. The dessert was quite heavy and rich...to be shared!

Left Feeling unsatisfied. Maybe I am being bias here because I love meat but I thought the food was not very flavourful and overpriced. The Zucchini tagliatelle sounded good but when it arrived we discovered that it was served cold. The sauce it was on tasted like a fancy thousand island dressing.<br/><br/>We liked the haloumi entree but it seemed like more of an appie and it's pretty hard to mess up deep fried cheese!<br/><br/>Best thing we had was the corn soup with blueberries. <br/><br/>There were 8 of us and we all had 3 courses and left the restaurant feeling full but still kinda hungry if that makes sense.

Wow!. Love that this vegetarian restaurant is creative and tasty and does NOT have any tofu dishes! This place would please any meat-eater.<br/>The venue is nice, service is good and the food is amazing in presentation and taste. Hundred times better than the Naam and Foundation. And so much cleaner!<br/>Only downside: no reservations.

Think twice!. I am quite disappointed by the fact that the two owners are non vegetarians! I am a vegan due to my beliefs and not because it is something hip. I will not support a restaurant that is runned by wannabees and hypocrites. Sorry.

Oh soooo good!. This is a great little spot that makes eating vegetarian an absolute delight. You will never want for meat again if you dine here. The amazing thing is how EVERYTHING tastes so good. Cool location, wonderful staff, excellent food.

Over priced for average food. The menu is way too small. They shoulnd't call it "fine dining"!

Killer food criminal prices. Popped in with my better 2/3rds the other night to try the new kid on the block as we are regulars at foundation down the road and were curious about this place. Had the fried cheese with pea puree and lemonbalm cream and was quite impressed with a the presentation (very artistic professional high end plating) and the flavour profiles were spot on but 20 bucks come on guys.Wifey had the seared mushroom with quinoa ,again eyes happy mouth too but 20 bucks?? We are talking about Main Street not Mainland ala yaletown,I dont see the skinny jean wearing fixed gear riding types lining up for a plate of food with a couple of drinks for 40-50 smackeroos on a regular basis but maybe they are trying to get the downtowny types to migrate over,only time will tell.Then we ordered dessert ,a peanutty salted caramel bar, it came out again very artsy but a scant 2in.x2in.bar with a smear of ganache and a few dots of raspberry coulis topped with a dollop of whipped coconut "creme" 11 dollars?? All in all great food but not a 3-4 visits per month place like foundation or naam more like a 1-2 times a year special place and maybe thats what they are going for,I wish them all the success that can be had but when the buzz dies down and the nights of little business come around I hope they are not stubborn and stand the ground of high priced high end plates come hell or high water and realize that you can put out wow food without wow prices and still have a profitable business, case in point we shared 1 dessert at $11 but would of ordered 2 at say $7 and would of ordered an appetizer or 2 had it not added another $20 to the bill. Dinner 1 beer for me wife stuck with water, dessert,tip,tax=$70!!

A great restaurant.. The Acorn is awesome. I have been there twice and it has impressed me both times, especially because they JUST OPENED.<br/>The first time I went was their third night in business. My boyfriend and I had the preserved lemon and artichoke pate, which was heavenly; the fluffy luxuriousness of the texture was balanced beautifully with the flavours. I practically ate the whole thing myself. We also had the summer berry salad. The homemade ricotta melts on your tongue perfectly - it is to die for. For mains, I had the zuchinni tagliatelli. The candied olives were a big hit in my books. The sauce was a little too mayo-ey for me, but I'm sure they'll iron that out soon. My bf had the halloumi cheese - I had one bite and kept coming back for more.<br/>The second time, my girlfriend and I shared the nori roll to start. Light, fresh, crunchy, with an interesting aftertaste. I approve. Unfortunately, our mains didn't impress quite as much - I was left hungry after my portobello mushroom and creamed quinoa and wished that the quinoa was spiced, and my friend had drool-worthy curried potatoes but slightly bland eggplants. The dessert cheered us up again, though - the strawberry black pepper sorbet was delicious and the presentation was stunning.<br/>Overall, I highly recommend this restaurant. The atmosphere is lovely, you'll probably run into a friend or two, the owner is so sweet, and the food is already blowing me away. I have full confidence that the slight menu kinks will be sorted out soon, and can't wait to go there again.

Since opened I have been there twice. I ordered valverde wine, cherry goat cheese and two other dishes. My daughter is very picky and she just loved all the foods and let me say kids dont lie. All the dishes were expectacular. What I really love is not too casual so its perfect to go everyday. The restaurant was packed but my food arrived in 15 minutes which was awesome time. Overall I really enjoy my time there and the price is fair for the ingredients you get. I recommend this restaurant.

D. E. LICOUS. I went to the acorn recently and had an amazing dining experience! The space is extremely comfortable and nicely renovated and the staff are both helpful and kind. I began with the Artichoke appy and it was really good, the flavours were fresh and the walnuts added a really nice texture. Next we shared the berry salad and I have to say that this was honestly one of the best salads I have ever had. The choice of mixed greens are superb, and the berries sooo refreshing! For the main I had the Zucchini Tagliatelle, and once again I was extremely pleased. We finished this all off with the Lavender Creme Brulee, which was simply superb!<br/>We left completely stuffed and totally satisfied! Professionally run, great quality and reasonably priced, the acorn was overall a wonderful dining experience, and I will be coming back for many years to come!

Amazing food!. Sounds like some of these reviewers have a meat cleaver to grind! I dragged my husband to the Acorn last night, he doesn't do vegetarian anything normally. We shared the polenta fries for an appy, both had the Haloumi (sp?) for a main course an shared the sorbet for dessert. We were stuffed! It couldn't have been a more enjoyable meal. Not a black bean or sprout in sight, and there was a real buzz to the room. Service was a bit lacking and it was hot, but this is definately not your hum drum hippie veggie place. I look forward to seeing it grow.

Delicious. Went to The Acorn tonight for the first time with a friend for dinner. Waited about 30 minutes for a table.<br/><br/>Started with a gin drink that had lemon, lavender and cilantro - perfect summer drink.<br/>We shared the artichoke pate, the polenta fries and the harvest special. The special was housemade gnocchi with housemade ricotta and vegetables in a brown butter sauce. It was delicate, filling, delicious and fresh. The artichoke pate was delicious and was served with toasted walnuts. Lots of places have polenta fries, I've never had them nearly as tasty as these.<br/>I want to try everything on the menu. Especially the gazpacho.<br/>Service was great, efficient and our food came quickly. Can't wait to go again and again.

We were 5 , came at 7:30, waited for a table 45 min. The. At 9:20 we got our main course. It was very delicious and small. Gnocchi had 6 pcs in. I was still hungry after the main and appetizer. Way too expenssive for what your getting.

The hair didn't come free.... Checked out the Acorn last Friday night for the first time. One first glance was a cute little place (I did have a bit of a soft spot for Ciprianos which used to reside there). Everything seemed to be going well-the menu sounded delicious! However it slowly went downhil. Had the artichoke appetizer which didn't deliver. Hardly tasted like anything, but hopeful for our entrees. My friend had the zucchini dish and it was fantastic! I had the aubergine and it was good, but about halfway through discoverd a lovely short black hair in the food (I am a blonde with long hair) so confirmed it wasn't mine. When I told the waitress she simply took the hair off the plate, threw it on the floor and asked "oh, so I guess you are done?" whilst smiling...um yes I was done. Unfortunately we did give it ONE more chance with a lack luster dessert of a salted caramel bar which was neither of those things. The only part of the meal that was enjoyed was the sauvignon blanc! THEN the bill arrived to which I was charged for my dinner, hair and all, and no apology or anything from the restaurant staff. Super disappointing considering this is a new restaurant. I'm sure they will stay in business because veggie is trendy right now, but don't expect anything extravangant from the food or from the service. Not to mention it was like a million degrees in there because there is no air conditioning or fans! ENJOY!

The spices they use in all of their dishes really take the flavours to a whole different level. For entrees my sister had The Harvest, which that day was a Truffle Mac & Cheese, and I had the Zucchini Linguini. Even though we were full, we really wanted to order dessert. We ordered the Plum dessert, which was roasted plums with Thai Basil Panna Cotta and Coconut. Dessert was deeelicious!

The Acorn When people ask me where to take their vegetarian friends, the Acorn always comes up. If you’re a vegetarian, chances are you already heard of this place.  The Acorn was a game changer in 2012. It set a higher standard for vegetarian fare when the main options for vegetarian-only restaurants were the Naam and the Foundation, amongst other casual places. The Acorn made vegetarian food  fancy . It made vegetarian food an art—a delicious art. It let us know that vegetarian food could be inventive and interesting.  I don’t really have anything to add to what others have said. It’s as good as you’ve heard it is. They have an ever-changing seasonal menu, so they’re always keeping it fresh here. There are some staples, however, such as the kale salad and the fried halloumi (they’re fixtures on the menu for good reason!). You can’t really make a bad choice here even if you tried. Since opening, the Acorn has always busy, which is just a testament to how good this place is.

... loved the play/fun factor of the cavatelli pasta which looked like pea pods...

Skinner paired his beer with deep-fried cauliflower balls served with juniper aioli. In my opinion, you can never go wrong pairing beers with deep fried foods.

 Their creative ways of foraging, preparing and using a multitude of vegetables, not only as a side but as the main star of a majority of their dishes, opened my eyes to the endless possibilities that can be achieved when handled by the right hands.  So when C heard about a restaurant in Vancouver in which the head chef briefly staged at Noma, I jumped at the chance to try his cooking without thinking twice about the purely vegetarian, vega

This new hip vegetarian restaurant is taking veg dining to a whole new level for the city. The Acorn serves gourmet west coast cuisine off their seasonal menus and uses fresh produce from local urban farms. They offer vegan, gluten free and raw options.

The words “raw,” “vegan,” “cold” and “gluten-free” are typically antithetical to lasagna, but that’s exactly what this is, with zucchini, pesto, cashew cream and candied olives. Another beautiful dish for a hot day, this “lasagna” really makes the most of its flavours and textures. The pesto is really bright and - dare I say - traditional, which serves as one of the plate’s sole nods to the dish’s Italian heritage. Bellissimo.<br/>

Overall, I loved the food, the service was great. The only bad thing is that you can't make any reservations! But judging by their popularity, they have no problem filling their restaurant. People were still waiting by the time we were finished at about 10pm.

It’s a super new star in Vancouver! It’s the top three must try restaurants in Vancouver last year and signature for vegetarian. Are you excited? Locates on Main Street of Vancouver east. More and more nice and unique restaurants are growing there. It might be easy to be overlooked but don’t worry, there is usually a line of people waiting outside;) Their menu changes from time to time, which is good. Beet Beet Tartare, Goat Cheese Panna Cotta, Horseradish, Watercress, Honey Gastrique   The display is nice. But what surprised me the most is taste of it! I have never expected beets and goat cheese could be that match!! I just don’t know how to describe it in words. Just wonderful. Walnut  Walnut & Portobello Pate, Pickled Shimeji Mushrooms, Gin, Juniper Croustinis It’s another surprise of the day:D The pate is super smooth and delicate. Must try! Porcini Braised Porcini Mushrooms, Da

Thoughtful Vegetarian Dining in Vancouver

Acorn was offering a special $30 FeastVan menu. It’s conceptually similar to Dine Out Vancouver, except every $1 from every meal was donated to the the Backpack Food Program at Strathcona Community Centre. Since we had 7 people, we decided to share a whole bunch of different dishes. We all kicked off the dinner with a Sunchoke Soup that was topped with Parsnip Crisps, Grilled Scallion Oil and Hazelnut Sa

Last Friday I dragged a bunch of omnivores down to the new-ish vegetarian/vegan place, The Acorn Restaurant. Strangely, it's like a Yaletown restaurant with diner ambiance, complete with beautiful food, downtown prices, and hot waitresses; but no skimpy outfits or uniform per se. Table spacing is also pretty tight.

The Acorn is a trendy vegetarian restaurant along Main Street / King Edward – next to Zakkushi Charcoal Grill . It is where hipsters rejoice, independent and consignment fashion stores congregate, and eateries compete. The concept of The Acorn is for refined presentation of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian cuisine. Chef-owner Brian Skinner previously interned at NOMA with Chef Rene Redzepi. There seems to be a constant fan-base here and line ups are outrageous. They do not take reservations and your full party must be present before they would seat you. I came here after dinner with a few girlfriends for drinks and dessert. The hostess barely greeted us and sat us down. The standoff-ish attitude was already not appetizing. We ordered a few drinks as we examined the menu and proceeded to share one main entree and two desserts amongst 4 girls (our hostess was not pleased).

Acorn’s play on classic dishes with a vegetarian twist takes diners to a whirlwind trip to what vegetarian food could be. The mains were clever and thought provoking, although the dessert was a bit of a let down and didn’t seem to come together.<br/><br/>The waiter with a two inch goatee dangling from his chin (who shouldn’t be mistaken for another Eleven Madison Park graduate) didn’t seem to be too keen on explaining the dishes that he dropped them off – the level of service was a strange contrast to the sophistication of the dishes and caliber of the chefs. Nonetheless, we were dining on Mai

Their menu items are nicely labelled with GF (gluten-free), RAW (raw food that has not reached 115 degrees Farhenheit), and V (vegan). As a person with a semi gluten allergy, it was nice to see so many choices to choose from because you don't usually get that in many restaurants. We started off with the Sunflower ($10) which consists of a leek  sunflower seed pate, watercress emulsion, pickled pearl onions, and taro chips. This was our favourite appetizer of the night and we couldn't get enough! The pate was scrumptious but it would've been nice to have a few

Overall, I enjoyed The Acorn, and I would definitely go back given the opportunity.

The Acorn chef Brian Skinner served his spruce tip pale ale harvested from local ingredients with deep fried cauliflower croquettes.

The Acorn was participating in FeastVan and they were offering a 3 course meal for $30. You start off with the Sunchoke Soup, then you can choose any main and dessert on the menu. FeastVan was happening at the same time as Dine Out Vancouver, so I thought that was kinda weird. They had a few good restaurants, so I decided to check one of them out. I let Wongers decide where to go since she has pretty good taste in food. Join our awesome dinner was Foodobyte , so make sure to check out his blog to see what he thought about The Acorn. You can find vegetarian, vegan, raw, gluten-free options on their menu. You can’t make reservations, but the only table you can reserve is the “family table” that can seat 6 or more. We reserved the table at 6:30 for 7 people. Soon after, this whole restaurant was packed! There was even a line up. Water comes in super cute bottles. Even the shape of the cup is kinda cute. Clearly, I get amused by little things. Coconut Water ($3) comes with a slice of lime

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Most of the dishes at Acorn are vegan or have vegan options. Impressively there isn’t a single tofu dish on the menu, but there are a few gluten-free and raw options. The portions sizes were perfect – small enough that I could comfortably enjoy an entree and split an appetizer and dessert. The food is expensive compared to most vegetarian restaurants ($16-19 for entrees), but it was good value for the quality of the food. Our bill for 2 people, with 1 appetizer, 2 mains, 1 dessert, and 4 drinks was $80 plus tip. Not bad for some of the best vegan food I’ve eaten in Vancouver.<br/><br/>