Nicolas Cage Took Out All His Frustrations Inside a Koreatown Karaoke Bar

Work it out

It looks like Nic Cage is a fan of Koreatown’s nightlife scene, though truly who isn’t? The longtime movie star has had a rough few weeks, including a quickly-annulled marriage, and per TMZ he took to a private room with some friends to belt out an “angry” rendition of Prince’s Purple Rain. Seriously, there’s video and everything.

The story of it all

LAist has a nice story out on Vivian Ku, owner of Silver Lake’s Pine and Crane and Highland Park’s Joy. Both are immeasurably popular Taiwanese restaurants, but how did Ku’s restaurant journey actually begin? With her parents’ cooking, of course.

Win a pin

Friday is National Pretzel Day apparently, and to celebrate the fine folks from Rockenwagner Bakery are giving away free enamel pretzel pins with the purchase of any pretzel during bakery hours. Just show up, eat, and enjoy the swag.

Straws on request

This week, the city of Los Angeles officially adopted a new law aimed at curbing plastic waste in foodservice. The so-called “plastic straws on request” ordinance means that restaurants will not be able to simply provide straws to customers, but can have them handy for anyone who overtly asks.

New menus

Hyde Sunset has a new menu out with more of a nightlife/lounge crowd in mind. That means a move away from larger entrees and on to dishes like mozzarella sticks, mahi mahi tacos, and wagyu beef potstickers.

Historic highlights

Metropolis Magazine is loving all the historic architecture that is being repurposed into some of LA’s new restaurants, from the Art Deco madness of Imperial Western Beer Company to Checker Hall in Highland Park.

Boil season

Harold & Belle’s has turned 50 years young this year, and to kick the summer season into gear the timeless Jefferson Park spot is doing a big crawfish boil on Saturday, April 27 from noon to 6 p.m. Check out the menu of options below, and know that there will also be live music, face painting for the kids, a full bar, and more.