Olivia Street is the leader of Edmonton's hooky, guitar-forward rock band King of Foxes. They recently released their debut full-length, Salt & Honey, following 2016's Golden Armour EP. Street showed us around some of her favourite hometown spots. Location photos by Dana Zuk.
Tony's Pizza Palace (9605 111 Ave. NW)
I love this place for its old-school pizza parlour vibe. It's pure vintage gold, and the pizza is to die for. I hope it never changes! I get the classic New York-style pizza (a cheese pizza with the perfect amount of spice), and it only comes in one size: extra large. The mussels with capers are also so good. Get a half litre of house wine, and share it with a friend! It's a real family joint, and the kids can watch them throwing pizzas in the air — so much fun.
Clementine (11957 Jasper Ave.)
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the super chic joint where my bass player, Reid, bartends. Pop by, and tell him Olivia sent you. The atmosphere is like a Parisian café on the Left Bank. It's very small and cozy, with an old world elegance to it. I imagine Ernest Hemingway would hang out here if he lived in Edmonton and was also alive. They have a fantastic cocktail menu, although I always order the same thing: a gin martini with a twist. I like the simple things in life, well-executed, of course.
Culina Cafe at the Muttart (9626 96A St. NW)
This is my favourite place to grab brunch during the summer months. The patio is private and peaceful, with tall, modern concrete walls and big planters full of gorgeous plants that I would never be able to keep alive if they belonged to me. They use lots of local produce and make great classics like eggs benny, grilled cornbread, and huevos rancheros. They serve locally roasted ACE Coffee. When you're done snacking, you can visit the conservatories and admire the cacti.
Metro Cinema (8712 109 St. NW)
I love catching a movie, with a big bag of popcorn, in this historic Art Moderne theatre, which used to be called the Garneau Theatre when I was growing up. I lived about a block from here, and I could walk to the theatre on streets lined with tall, beautiful elm trees. When I think of Edmonton, those elm trees are one of the first images that come to mind, they're so iconic. The first movie I ever saw at the Garneau was Beethoven (the one with the St. Bernard and also David Duchovny). Nowadays, they are a community-based, not-for-profit society, screening a really diverse range of films.
Blues on Whyte (10329 82 Ave. NW)
This is one of my favourite places to play in the city. You might catch me and my alter-ego cover band, Vegas Wives, playing here from time to time. They have live music seven nights a week, and there's always someone doing their thing on the dance floor, even on a Monday or Tuesday night. This place is the great equalizer, and you can cut a rug with all sorts of people you might otherwise never meet.
Pho & Bun (10122 79 St. NW)
This is my neighbourhood family-run pho and noodle joint. They routinely save me from having to cook on band practice nights. My absolute fave is the lemongrass and bell pepper tofu, with vermicelli. They do the tofu just right. Don't forget to get an order of shrimp salad rolls and a green onion cake.
Plaza Bowling Co. (10418 118 Ave. NW)
A family-fun bowling alley that's been in business since 1959. They play great music, serve great craft beer and snacks, and it's run by some of the nicest people you'll meet. The place has been lovingly maintained by three generations, and has kept all of its vintage bowling alley charm. (You might recognize this bowling alley from the "Backsliders" music video we shot here…)
Alex Decoteau Park (10230 105 St. NW)
One of downtown Edmonton's best kept secrets: there is a small off-leash dog park next to the community garden, nestled in the heart of downtown. I often bring my yellow lab to work with me, and this park is where we come on our lunch break. Nothing de-stresses me quite like watching dogs frolic! Pro tip, you don't even need to own a dog to come here. Just come visit as a free-agent petter.
Tony's Pizza Palace (9605 111 Ave. NW)
I love this place for its old-school pizza parlour vibe. It's pure vintage gold, and the pizza is to die for. I hope it never changes! I get the classic New York-style pizza (a cheese pizza with the perfect amount of spice), and it only comes in one size: extra large. The mussels with capers are also so good. Get a half litre of house wine, and share it with a friend! It's a real family joint, and the kids can watch them throwing pizzas in the air — so much fun.
Clementine (11957 Jasper Ave.)
I would be remiss if I didn't mention the super chic joint where my bass player, Reid, bartends. Pop by, and tell him Olivia sent you. The atmosphere is like a Parisian café on the Left Bank. It's very small and cozy, with an old world elegance to it. I imagine Ernest Hemingway would hang out here if he lived in Edmonton and was also alive. They have a fantastic cocktail menu, although I always order the same thing: a gin martini with a twist. I like the simple things in life, well-executed, of course.
Culina Cafe at the Muttart (9626 96A St. NW)
This is my favourite place to grab brunch during the summer months. The patio is private and peaceful, with tall, modern concrete walls and big planters full of gorgeous plants that I would never be able to keep alive if they belonged to me. They use lots of local produce and make great classics like eggs benny, grilled cornbread, and huevos rancheros. They serve locally roasted ACE Coffee. When you're done snacking, you can visit the conservatories and admire the cacti.
Metro Cinema (8712 109 St. NW)
I love catching a movie, with a big bag of popcorn, in this historic Art Moderne theatre, which used to be called the Garneau Theatre when I was growing up. I lived about a block from here, and I could walk to the theatre on streets lined with tall, beautiful elm trees. When I think of Edmonton, those elm trees are one of the first images that come to mind, they're so iconic. The first movie I ever saw at the Garneau was Beethoven (the one with the St. Bernard and also David Duchovny). Nowadays, they are a community-based, not-for-profit society, screening a really diverse range of films.
Blues on Whyte (10329 82 Ave. NW)
This is one of my favourite places to play in the city. You might catch me and my alter-ego cover band, Vegas Wives, playing here from time to time. They have live music seven nights a week, and there's always someone doing their thing on the dance floor, even on a Monday or Tuesday night. This place is the great equalizer, and you can cut a rug with all sorts of people you might otherwise never meet.
Pho & Bun (10122 79 St. NW)
This is my neighbourhood family-run pho and noodle joint. They routinely save me from having to cook on band practice nights. My absolute fave is the lemongrass and bell pepper tofu, with vermicelli. They do the tofu just right. Don't forget to get an order of shrimp salad rolls and a green onion cake.
Plaza Bowling Co. (10418 118 Ave. NW)
A family-fun bowling alley that's been in business since 1959. They play great music, serve great craft beer and snacks, and it's run by some of the nicest people you'll meet. The place has been lovingly maintained by three generations, and has kept all of its vintage bowling alley charm. (You might recognize this bowling alley from the "Backsliders" music video we shot here…)
Alex Decoteau Park (10230 105 St. NW)
One of downtown Edmonton's best kept secrets: there is a small off-leash dog park next to the community garden, nestled in the heart of downtown. I often bring my yellow lab to work with me, and this park is where we come on our lunch break. Nothing de-stresses me quite like watching dogs frolic! Pro tip, you don't even need to own a dog to come here. Just come visit as a free-agent petter.
