The Los Angeles premier restaurant faces a fierce online backlash after one of the owners appeared to have expressed his support for Elon Musk in a New York Times article.
Walter Manzuke, who owns his wife, Margarita Manzuke and Republique, was quoted in an article about the Tesla Café, where Musk is set to open on Santa Monica Boulevard.
He also said his wife is a Musk fan.
“The other day she said she wanted to buy a Tesla, so we can tell you what side she is on,” Manzuke said.
Comments from the article released Friday polarised Republique patrons who have strong opinions about Mask, the world’s wealthiest man.
The restaurant posted to Instagram on the day the article was published denied the statement implying political support for Musk.
“At Republique, we believe in focusing on what we do our best. We create exceptional food and a welcoming experience for all our guests,” they write. “In response to a recent New York Times article, I would like to make it clear that the quote about the possibility of a Tesla may be about exploring electric vehicle options, not political statements. We value innovation and sustainability and respect all perspectives.
The post was deleted soon.
Republique is a flagship role in the Los Angeles dining scene, with French bistros routinely breaking the “Best of” list. Since opening in Hancock Park in 2014, the restaurant has been ranked routinely in the top 10 on the Los Angeles Times’ “101 Best Restaurants” list.
Walter Manzke did not immediately respond to a request for comment, so Margarita Manzke declined to comment when The Times reached.
Musk began planning for the Tesla Café in 2022. His company first submitted documents to the city of Los Angeles for a diner that operates 24 hours a day in Hollywood.
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