A New Zealand restaurant is enjoying a boost in trade after a review revealed that some locals had boycotted the business because it was run by a married gay couple.
When tourist Alexia Black was discouraged from visiting in Greytown, Wairarapa, she quickly cottoned on to the underlying homophobia - and went along to the establishment for lunch.
“We were told that it was owned by two gay men from America and that ‘locals don’t eat there,'” Black wrote in her review for the restaurant, which has since gone viral.
“When we asked what was wrong with the food we were told they couldn’t comment as they hadn’t eaten there in over a year, but that we should drive to the next town, Carteton, for lunch.”
“So of course these queers walked straight into Saluté,” Black added.
And, according to the tourist, the restaurant's “food, atmosphere and service were all fantastic.”
Speaking to Saluté's manager, Black soon discovered that the team had been dealing with homophobic attitudes from locals for a while.
“Asking to speak to the manager, we sat him down and told him what had happened,” wrote Black. “He wasn’t surprised at all, and the quiet emotion in his eyes showed us they had been battling for a while and it hurt deeply.”
Black wrote that “we told him we’d loved our meal and would be back, and apologised to him for the way they have been treated in NZ.”
Her review wrapped up with: “If you love great food and hate bigotry and small mindedness, book a table at Saluté and show these lovely men that Aotearoa is no place for hate."
As the review was shared across social media, people were quick to express their support for Saluté.
"Absolutely disgusting," . "As someone who currently calls Greytown home, I’m appalled to read what you were bold enough to share. I live in hope that such minority views will one day become extinct. And I look forward to visiting Saluté not soon enough. Kia kaha."
Another wrote: "Ugh. I have eaten there and it’s awesome. Will drive over specifically to eat there again ASAP."
Speaking to the , the restaurant owners said they were overwhelmed by the outpouring of community support.
“We’ve had such an outpouring of support, with people telling us that this is not New Zealand,” he added. “When we left the US, we chose New Zealand because we love it so much. This is the NZ we fell in love with. It’s overwhelming in a beautiful way.”
