Dining and entertainment suggestions that might fly under your radar.

Best Rebel Yell

Think there’s nothing new to learn about the short life of James Dean? Screenwriter William Bast opens up about his intimate friendship with the late icon, as well as Dean’s numerous affairs with men in the candid, compelling new memoir Surviving James Dean.

Best Audio Flashback

The world is a stage and That's Entertainment! is an essential 6-disc audio companion to the famed film compilations of classic Hollywood movie musicals, presenting the original soundtrack versions of the beloved songs featured in all three films, plus a full CD of previously unissued rarities.

Dive In

This has to be one of the most narrowly focused restaurants in Los Angeles: Little Tokyo's Kokekoko, 550 S. Hope St., only serves chicken skewers (yakitori). Despite the limited main ingredient, there's amazing variety on the menu, because they cook (almost) every part of the chicken. By the way, Kokekoko is cock-a-doodle-do in Japanese. Call them at (213) 489-2340.

In the Eye of the Beholder

The best conceptual recently spotted in the Santa Monica/Crescent Heights Boulevards area are pink signs reading “Dry Paint.”

Things For Your Head

With the sunny season here, you need a hat. Some of the best selection in L.A. can be found at Hollywood Hatters, 6915 Melrose Ave., L.A. From fedoras to pork pies, they have every style imaginable. With their Beverly Boulevard-close location, their selection of black hats is huge, if you're into the Orthodox thing. Call them at (323) 525-1912.

Help Yourself

In the guidebook The Way Out: The Gay Men’s Guide to Freedom No Matter if You’re in Denial, Closeted, Half In, Half Out, Just Out or Been Around the Block, Christopher Lee Nutter offers comprehensive, indispensable tools tailored to the daily existence of gay men.

More than the West was Wild

Barbara Stanwyck was such a titanic female star that she became an icon to both gay men and lesbians. Catch Babs as frontier widow Victoria Barkley in the DVD boxed set The Big Valley Season One as she tries to tame her land, as well as her wayward offspring Lee Majors and Linda Evans.

It's Greek to Me

Among the best places we've found out about from Huell Howser is Papa Christo's/C&K Imports, 2711 W. Pico Blvd. This tiny Greek restaurant/deli has great food at incredibly cheap prices -- try the lamb and (believe it or not) grilled baby octopus. Be sure to take home their homemade olives, bread, and baklava. Give them a call at (323) 737-2970.

Best Night Out

Imagine a place where pop music and show tunes cohabit peacefully. Now add cute guys, yummy food, and drink specials. It’s not a fantasy, it’s Upright Cabaret and Christopher, Shane, and Trapper will transport you there. Visit La Boheme in West Hollywood on June 10 and the second Saturday of each month. For more information, see www.uprightcabaret.com, or call (323) 848-2360.

Best Night In

Live through this! In Julie Johnson, Lili Taylor finds love in the arms of her best friend -- none other than Courtney Love. It’s not raining men in the comedy April’s Shower -- the bride-to-be’s wedding plans are interrupted by her gorgous ex Trish Doolan. Both recent theatrical releases are now available on DVD.