The storied legacy of the movie biz is everywhere you look in Los Angeles, but there are some interesting sights that aren’t on the tourist maps. Take this 1929 building in central L.A. It’s a grand looking place in itself, but it occupies a little corner of Hollywood history as having been built as the offices of a certain Charlie Chaplin. Even the office blocks are glamorous around here! When Charlie moved on the premises was converted to house La Brea Bakery and the Campanile restaurant, and it continues a close relationship with food to this day as the location of Republique.
The bistro and bar is co-owned and run by chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke with an informal area in the front and more traditional dining to the rear; both offer fare rooted in French cuisine. Republique has kept things open plan, allowing patrons to fully appreciate the great architecture with its atmospheric brickwork and double height rooms. Sleek modern features such as the kitchen play against the old brick effectively, and the patterned tiled floor ties it all together nicely.
Photography, Ryan Tanaka
