Archer, Vancouver’s anticipated new downtown dining destination, officially opens its doors on Wednesday, September 28, 2022. Located at 1152 Alberni Street, guests can expect to enjoy modern Canadian fare and inventive drinks inside a room inspired by British Columbia’s natural landscape.
The kitchen is led by executive chef Clement Chan, whose extensive repertoire includes some of Vancouver’s notable restaurants, such as Torafuku, Chambar, Fairmont Pacific Rim, Blue Water Cafe, and Hapa. He is joined by chef de cuisine Sandy Chen and executive pastry chef Kiko Nakata.
“It’s been exciting to see Archer come to life and all the hard work being put into it, from the quiet elegance of the beautiful room, the bespoke details, to the wholly creative and delicious dishes by our kitchen team,” says local restaurateurs Karen Ho and Iain Bell of Hobell Group, who co-own Archer and previously 6 Degrees Eatery. “We are truly here to bring something different to Vancouver’s downtown, and can’t wait for diners to be transported away from the busy streets into our culinary hideaway on Alberni Street.”
The dinner menu, a joint collaborative effort by Chan and Chen, aims to celebrate the coasts and waters of the Pacific Northwest, highlighting the bounty of the region’s talented farmers, fisherfolk, and producers, as well as the diverse cultures and flavours of Canada. Dish examples include: Binchotan Octopus with fingerling potatoes, pickled jalapeno, crispy kale, baby beets, sansho kewpie, and hazelnut romesco; Salmon Crudo with local steelhead and castelvetrano olive crouton; Crab Gnocchi with uni bisque, tobiko, confit albacore tuna, snow crab, guanciale, sungold tomatoes, and organic greens; and Pork Cheek with burnt onion, fried aubergine, red cabbage puree, potato korokke, and house made chili oil.
Nakata has crafted several desserts worth indulging in, such as the seasonal Westberry Farms Hive with lime and Tahitian vanilla creme and yuzu curd celebrating BC blueberries; and Archer’s signature Flaming Cheesecake, featuring 70 percent chocolate dome, white sesame crust, miso caramel cheesecake, blood orange gel, and flaming grand marnier shot.
“We are so impressed by the dedication the team has shown in refining and perfecting Archer’s current menu, which will continue to evolve with the seasons,” adds Ho. “I already have some favourites, including the Crab Gnocchi and the fun Flaming Cheesecake.”
Designed by Western Canada’s Little Giant Studio, the 2,400 square foot space features an immersive dining room of soft coastal colours and textures with 70 seats, punctuated by green velvet banquettes that evoke the deep mosses of the forest floor. The six-seat bar, a focal point, brings the raw and elemental images of nature inside with its rough-hewn stone masonry. All of this is frame by sculptural, rounded forms and driftwood-hued planks on the ceiling, echoing the structural ribs of a canoe.
In a previous release about the design, Mark Burkart, founder of Little Giant Studio says, “As the food is an expression of the Pacific Northwest, so too, the space seeks to be an embodiment of the landscape. The goal is to both capture the quiet of the forest and the raw power of the ocean. The space is designed to be soft, bright and textural – fit for a long and raucous brunch as well as for a beautifully moody and dramatic evening meal.”
Archer’s branding is by award-winning brand and design agency Glasfurd & Walker.
For those interested in a sneak peek, Archer’s soft opening weekend is slated to commence this Friday, September 23, 2022.
At launch, Archer will be open Wednesday to Sunday, from 5:30 p.m. to late. Reservations are recommended and can be made online at www.archerdining.com or by calling 778-737-6218. Walk-ins are welcome.
