ape

The Japan Times Weekend scene, Oct 17-23 に出ていた文です。
Just as other restaurants copied the Shunju style, it now is aping itself.
日本語で言う猿真似と同じ表現のようですが一応辞書で確かめます。
Dictionary.com:　to imitate; mimic: to ape another's style of writing.
American Herritage Dictionary:　To mimic slavishly but often with an absurd result.
WordNet: imitate uncritically and in every aspect; "Her little brother apes her behavior"
"uncritically"とありますが、猿真似と同様に皮肉が込められている気がします。