Inside the Hidden Restaurant History of Silver Lake’s Early Gay Rights Movement

Gay rights in Silver Lake

Last weekend, activists and well-wishers gathered at The Black Cat on Sunset Boulevard in Silver Lake to pay their respects to one of the first gay rights protests in Los Angeles (and a crucial one for the country as a whole). The landmark event took place 50 years ago, and has had a wide-ranging effect on the continuing movement ever since.

Curbed LA put together a series of stunning images from that time, along with a bit of copy on the importance of the demonstration outside of what was then Los Angeles’ most prominent gay bar. Of course much of the core of LA’s gay rights community has since migrated over to West Hollywood, but the very much still-thriving Black Cat and other nearby places like Akbar continue to stand as a testament to the power of gay activism in Los Angeles, half a century ago.

Moroccan eats in the Valley

Ventura Blvd. Magazine takes a peek at Couscous Bowl, a newer Moroccan offering in Valley Village. The place started in January after a longtime server at Carnival Restaurant, Hayat Tazi, began to lean on the flavors of her youth in a place all her own.

Black truffle and salad

Want a high-low option for Valentine’s Day tonight? Consider the $21 black truffle menu going up at Tender Greens that’s been going up since Saturday. Guests can try a varying rotation of dishes with black truffle on them, from squid ink fettuccine to salt-baked sea bass — and wines by the glass are just $5.

An SGV Impression

The LA Times takes a look at a new Sichuan option in the San Gabriel Valley, this one called Chengdu Impression. While the place may sound like a mash-up riff on both Chengdu Taste and Szechuan Impression, it’s actually part of a restaurant group out of China direct, and offers even more heat for Arcadia diners.

Orange County’s taco truck wars

OC Weekly takes a look at Santa Ana’s tough new possible stance towards taco trucks in their Orange County city, citing a proposed ordinance that “will effectively rid Santa Ana of its food truck scene” altogether. The idea is for the area to coordinate on some new food lots where trucks can collectively park, while also taking away any scrolling truck signs, “sound amplification systems,” and grossly curtailing their parking options to stay more than 500 feet from parks, schools, community centers, and more. Sounds like a tough fight for the future of food trucks is coming to Orange County.

An officer-involved shooting in Van Nuys

One man was wounded yesterday in an officer-involved shooting at Ay Papa Que Rico, a Cuban restaurant in Van Nuys. The LA Times reports the officer fired after a suspect pulled out a handgun from the patio of the restaurant along Van Nuys Blvd.

Chez Tex adds brunch

Just last weekend, Venice option Chez Tex launched their first brunch menu. The small all-day spot is now working a mix of healthy yogurts, french toast, and lots of eggs, with coffee and tea of course. The full menu is below.