Happy Friday, CuratedLA Family! We’ve got some exciting updates ahead—starting with a little Spring Cleaning. The week after next, we’re rolling out a fresh new design, which means we’ll be off for a full week starting Monday, April 14th. As we continue keeping this space community-driven and free from politics and violence, I’d love your input: Should CuratedLA interview political candidates? If so, these would be purely human-interest pieces—zero politics, just stories and perspectives. Let me know your thoughts in the poll below, and in the meantime, here are this weekend’s Good Vibes. See you Monday!

Los Angeles is recognized as one of the best U.S. cities for food and drink in Food & Wine’s 2025 Global Tastemakers Awards. The city’s vibrant food scene, from unique coffee spots to standout restaurants like Yang Ban, has earned it a well-deserved third place. Oakland’s Burdell was named the Best U.S. Restaurant, showing the creative and soulful side of California cuisine. Beyond the U.S., cities like Bangkok also took the spotlight, showing how food is deeply tied to culture and community in every corner of the world.

The 2025 James Beard Award nominees have been announced by the James Beard Foundation and highlight some of the best in Los Angeles and beyond. L.A.’s Jon Yao (Kato) is in the running for Best Chef: California, while Tobin Shea (Redbird) competes for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Long Beach’s Gusto Bread is nominated for Outstanding Bakery, and Anaheim’s Strong Water stands out in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Across Southern California, Tara Monsod (ANIMAE, San Diego) and Daniel Castillo (Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano) join the Best Chef: California race. Statewide, San Francisco chefs and restaurateurs dominate multiple categories, including Richard Lee (Saison) and Jacob Brown (Lazy Bear). Winners will be announced June 16th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

​Sadaf Restaurant has expanded its Southern California presence with the grand opening of its third location on S La Cienega Blvd in Beverly Hills. Replacing the former Blasteran, this new establishment offers contemporary Persian cuisine, emphasizing healthy, flavorful dishes crafted with 100% olive and vegetable oils, free from preservatives or additives, and prepared using the leanest cuts of meat and freshest vegetables. Owner Sadaf Nezhad invites diners to ‘discover Iran’s culinary treasures’ in an authentic setting that captures the heart of Persian culture.

Firstborn has officially opened in Chinatown’s Mandarin Plaza, occupying the long-vacant former PokPok space. Drawing from his upbringing in Georgia and Miami, family ties to Beijing, and years in top LA kitchens, Wang presents a menu blending nostalgia with refined technique—think mapo tartare, barbecue cabbage, and fried Chongqing chicken with a Southern twist. The restaurant’s design reflects Wang’s East-meets-West vision, incorporating jade-green tiles and soft arches. With a bar program led by Kenzo Han and a dessert menu paying homage to traditional cut fruit plates, Firstborn aims to carve out its own legacy in the evolving neighborhood. Reservations available via Resy.

Cafe Knotted, a popular South Korean café renowned for its artisanal cream-filled donuts and pastries, is set to open a new location in Westfield Century City Shopping Center next weekend. Located on the second floor near Zinqué, the kiosk has previously hosted Brandini Toffee and Brique French Toastery. Founded in Seoul in 2017, Cafe Knotted quickly gained popularity for its high-quality, handcrafted treats and playful aesthetics, becoming a social media sensation.

STARTS TODAY: The 9th Annual LA Get Down Festival starts today and runs through April 26th at Greenway Court Theatre. This festival celebrates National Poetry Month with a vibrant lineup of hip-hop and spoken word events. Highlights include a Hip Hop Cipher featuring The Neighborhood Kids on tonight, an Opening Ceremony headlined by Figgy Baby tomorrow, and performances such as Gia Scott-Heron's acclaimed play ‘Bluesology’ on April 11th. The festival also offers workshops and showcases with artists like Soulstuf, Matt Sedillo, and Gay Bones Productions, culminating in the InkSlam Invitational hosted by Da Poetry Lounge on April 25th. Tickets are priced between $10 and $30 and can be purchased online.

TONIGHT: L.A.’s Chinatown comes alive for April’s First Fridays, an evening of late-night exploration through its eclectic mix of small businesses, restaurants, bars, and contemporary art spaces. From 5:00pm to 11:00pm., Far East Plaza and Chung King Plaza host this free, monthly event, inviting visitors to experience the neighborhood’s evolving culture after dark.

TONIGHT: The Aquarium of the Pacific’s Shark Lagoon Nights return this Friday, offering a close-up look at bamboo sharks, rays, and larger species in their dedicated habitat. From 6 to 9 p.m., visitors can touch select sharks and explore the lagoon for free—no RSVP required.

SATURDAY: The U.S. Women's National Team faces Brazil tomorrow at SoFi Stadium in a rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold medal game. This marks the first-ever women’s professional sporting event at the venue, with a U.S. Soccer Block Party kicking off at noon before the 2:00pm match. Parking lots open at 11:00am, and doors at 12:30pm. Tickets are on sale now.

SATURDAY: Burbank’s Saturday Skate Fever takes over Valley Skate Park tomorrow, offering a free night of skating from 6:00pm - 8:00pm. Open to all skill levels, the event features free BBQ and a raffle packed with prizes—no registration needed. Whether you're landing tricks or just cruising, it’s a chance to roll into the weekend with the local skate community.

The Santa Monica Police Department is ramping up enforcement throughout April for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, targeting drivers violating California’s hands-free law. Officers will be on high alert for motorists using phones or other devices behind the wheel—even at red lights—with repeat offenders facing increased penalties. With distracted driving a top safety concern, officials warn that even a quick glance at a screen can have deadly consequences. To stay safe, drivers are urged to silence notifications, set GPS before driving, and avoid multitasking. This campaign is funded by a California Office of Traffic Safety grant.

The Beverly Hills Film Festival celebrates its 25th year, bringing global filmmakers to the TCL Chinese Theatre for a showcase of independent cinema. Founded by Nino Simone in 2001, the festival has evolved from its Beverly Hills roots to Hollywood’s historic venues, screening thousands of films over the years. This year’s lineup includes 350 screenings, networking events, and an awards gala at the Beverly Hilton on April 6th. Featured films range from Dwelling Among the Gods, a Serbian-Afghan refugee drama, to The Second Oldest Man Alive, starring Home Alone’s Gerry Bamman in a dramatic comeback. Tickets start at $23 at beverlyhillsfilmfestival.com.

The Empower Campaign celebrated a significant achievement, surpassing $1m in total donations over three years at the RX3 Charity Flag Football Tournament on March 15th. Hosted by Aaron Rodgers' RX3 Foundation, the event brought together athletes, celebrities, and philanthropists to support causes like Love One International and the Patricia Allen Fund. Notable figures such as QB Josh Allen, country star Thomas Rhett, and women's flag football star Maci Joncich participated, raising $75,000 for Love One International’s efforts in Uganda. The Empower Campaign also donated $5,000 to the LA County Women's Fire League in honor of their support during the recent wildfires.

Metro has broken ground on a $668m overhaul of the G Line busway in the San Fernando Valley, marking the most significant improvements in its nearly twenty-year history. The project includes an elevated crossing at Van Nuys Station—closed for three years during construction—along with gated crossings at 13 intersections and upgraded signals at 22 others. Slated for completion by 2027, ahead of the 2028 Olympics, the upgrades aim to cut travel times by 12 minutes and set the stage for a future light rail conversion. Funding comes from Measure M, Prop C, and SB-1, with Valley Transit Partners handling construction.

A five-story, twenty-unit apartment building is planned for North Argyle Avenue, replacing a 1920s five-unit complex. Developed by Jack 26 Properties, LLC, with designs by Maly Architects, the project seeks Transit Oriented Communities incentives, allowing for increased density in exchange for two affordable units reserved for extremely low-income households. The proposal, which includes one- and two-bedroom apartments with 21 parking spaces, is under review by the Los Angeles Department of City Planning.

West L.A.-based BuildOps has secured $127m in Series C funding, pushing its valuation past $1bn and marking the first publicly announced unicorn of the year in Los Angeles. Founded in 2018 by Alok Chanani and Steve Chew, BuildOps streamlines operations for commercial trades like HVAC and plumbing with cloud-based tools for scheduling, inventory, and invoicing. The company’s funding arrives amid a cooling venture market, where unicorns have become increasingly rare. While competition looms from ServiceTitan, BuildOps is doubling down on AI-driven efficiency and expansion into new trades.

Los Angeles-based Divergent Technologies is teaming up with webAI Inc. to bring artificial intelligence into industrial hardware. Their work focuses on making robotics, logistics, and vehicle systems more efficient and secure. By combining Divergent’s digital manufacturing with webAI’s intelligence, they’re aiming to improve industries like aerospace, defense, and automotive.

Leonardo DiCaprio and Paul Thomas Anderson’s long-awaited collaboration, One Battle After Another, made waves at CinemaCon, unveiling an Imax-shot, action-heavy adaptation of a Thomas Pynchon novel. The $130m Warner Bros. film, packed with political satire and explosive set pieces, follows DiCaprio as a hard-living revolutionary on a mission to rescue his kidnapped daughter. With a cast including Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, Sean Penn, and Benicio del Toro, the film delivers humor, high-stakes drama, and Anderson’s signature artistry on an epic scale. Initially set for August, its release has shifted to September 26th, 2025, positioning it for awards season buzz.

Warner Bros.’ A Minecraft Movie is tracking for an $85m–$100m opening, with potential to surpass $100m, making it the first film since Moana 2 to hit that mark. Starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa, the live-action/CG hybrid benefits from a strong marketing push and solid pre-sales, though questions remain about the game’s waning popularity. Meanwhile, The Chosen: Last Supper – Part 2 is expected to debut at $10m–$12m, continuing its Faith-based franchise’s momentum, and A Working Man, Jason Statham’s latest action film, is forecasted to bring in $7m–$9m in its second weekend.

Ben Affleck and the cast of The Accountant 2 unveiled new footage at CinemaCon, teasing intense action and deeper character dynamics in the Amazon MGM Studios sequel. Joined by director Gavin O’Connor and co-stars Jon Bernthal and Daniella Pineda, Affleck shared his excitement for reprising Christian Wolff, the accountant-turned-assassin. Bernthal, returning as Wolff’s brother, emphasized their bond, while Pineda promised high-impact fight scenes. The film, set for an April 25th release, marks Amazon MGM’s expanding theatrical slate and follows the 2016 original, which grossed $155m globally.