Archer

This lovely bistro is light and airy, and has traditional green banquettes that evoke Paris. The lunch menu isn’t overly elaborate, but offers a variety.

I had the Caesar salad, a large serving topped by a veritable school of white anchovies. I’m old-fashioned, and still prefer my anchovies chopped into the dressing and my lettuce chopped by the chef, but it was very good, particularly the rosemary croutons.

My tablemate had the seafood chowder, a large bowl literally brimming with mussels, clams, salmon, and lardons. The seafood was fresh and not overcooked.

We also shared a sourdough boule, which was fresh from the oven, and nice and crusty.

Service was friendly and responsive.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/archer-vancouver

Cardero Cafe

This is a charming little cafe in a residential part of The West End. The menu includes coffee drinks, panini sandwiches, and tamals. If you are dining “in”, you order at a counter and they bring it to your table.

The LGBT (Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon, and Tomato) was one of the best paninis I’ve ever had, with delicious ingredients and perfectly crisped. Avoid the tamals, which had almost nothing inside the corn meal, and were very dry.

There is a nice selection of Latin American sauces and canned goods, and a refrigerator full of drinks–although not a single diet drink.

There are just a few tables, located outside, so plan accordingly.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/cardero-cafe-vancouver-4