ABOUT
👫
ABOUT 👫
OUR STORYOUR STORY
The Early Bird and Holy Diver are a family owned restaurant and bar run by husband and wife duo Crystal Kendall and Kyle Hough, and are considered two of best neighborhood spots for food and drink in downtown London, Ontario.
With a strong hospitality background and education in culinary arts, Crystal’s lifelong passion for food has led her to work in every conceivable position as as a chef, general manager, line cook, catering chef, and event planner. Before taking over ownership of The Early Bird in 2021, she served as the general manager for the Wolf brothers at “Los Lobos” and helped open both “Thick and Thin” and “Company Bar”.
Her husband Kyle, one of London’s most famous Dj’s with a diverse music background, is also a foodie who who finds joy in art and hospitality. He uses his love for punk and hip-hop as an inspiration for the art and decor of the interior and music programming. Meanwhile, Kerri Kendall (Crystal’s sister) is considered Crystals main partner in crime who also has a history in all aspects of hospitality with a strong attention for detail.
THE EARLY BIRDTHE EARLY BIRD
Open daily from 9AM - 4:00PM daily, The Early Bird is a culinary gem and local favourite providing a welcoming ambiance for patrons seeking a memorable breakfast or brunch. But what truly sets “The Early Bird” apart is its unwavering commitment to quality and unique culinary philosophy. The kitchen prides itself on sourcing fresh, local ingredients, and sustainable Canadian products.
From meticulously preparing proteins in-house using various methods of curing, smoking, grinding and pressing, “The Early Bird” prioritizes a “made to order” approach, eschewing frozen or processed items. Things as simple as Bacon or Smoked Meat can take up to 7-10 days to cure, smoke, and prepare properly while fresh fruits and vegetables are delivered daily.
HOLY DIVERHOLY DIVER
Turn left in the middle of this beloved breakfast spot and you’ll find the Holy Diver which is The Early Bird’s darker counterpart. Open 4PM til late, the “Diver” as its affectionately called, offers a fun relaxed atmosphere which exudes a vibrancy and warmth that make you feel like you’ve stumbled into the world’s friendliest underground booze can. The space is designed to encourage chatter amongst new and old friends who want to enjoy refreshing cold craft beer that leans local.
The food menu features plenty of classic diner essentials like the the double stacked smashed bugers, gooey grilled cheeses, chicken sandwiches, the best wings in town, and upscale versions of tex-mex favourites like the colossal nachos. While hearty on their own you can also cobble them together with a collection of side offerings like taquitos, bacon wrapped pickles, our famous rice baos, and weekly $5 specials.
If you are cocktail connoisseur craving an experience that takes you on a journey of discovery and flavour, the “Diver” offers ready to drink classic cocktails and a seasonal rotation of versions that combine old fashioned practises with modern techniques to create drinks that express simplicity and uniqueness of ingredients.
DECORDECOR
As a nod to the diners of yesteryear, the vibe of The Early Bird is completely unmatched, from the retro vinyl chairs to the traditional graffiti art pasted all over the tables. The décor is a visual mash-up of thoughtful homage, with a block of vinyl records mounted on the wall, coupled with hot pink walls, zebra-lined chairs, and a collage of glam rock posters.
Meanwhile, The Holy Diver’s design is inspired by teenage bedrooms, heavy metal, and 80’s pop culture. From the pink neon sign out front to the posters littering the walls to the Xerox art-covered washrooms, this 80’s themed local cultural hub has some serious atmosphere.
COMMUNITYCOMMUNITY
Although The Bird and Diver are located just off the beaten path from the downtown core, they proudly support the small businesses on the Talbot St. strip between York and Albert St. Whether it’s using Hasbeen’s coffee (located inside Covent Garden Market ) for their espresso drinks or mainataing a constant inventory of Beerlab cans, they continue to support locally and as often as possible.
On weekends you can expect some long lineups so they encourage you to walk the neighborhood and shop the lastest styles at “From Mars”, get your hair done at “Electric Hair”, test your video and board game skills “Tilt” and “Saga”, or sample the network of community restaurants like “Milosh’s”, “Hunter & Co”, and “Los Lobos”.
The Early Bird and Holy Diver are not merely places to eat and drink, they are immersive journeys into delicious food and genuine hospitality that fosters a sense of community through shared experiences.
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THE EARLY BIRD