94 | Istanbul » Istanbul Nusr e t Gökçe and new ext r avagance We tried gold-leaf steak Is it really necessary to take a top cut of steak, served in an already pricey restaurant located in an elite area of the magical Istanbul, and cover it with molten gold leaf? And why not!? On gosti najveće svetske face poput Rijane, Al Paćina, Dejvida Bekama, Ronalda... He hosts the world’s biggest stars, including the likes of Rihanna, Al Pacino, David Beckham, Ronaldo et al If Nusret Gökçe is a name that doesn’t mean much to you, perhaps his nickname, Salt Bae, might sound more familiar. Of course, if we add to this the description of a guy sporting a ponytail andJohnLennon-stylesunglasses, while holding his muscular armina cobra strikepose ashe liberally sprinkles rock salt onto a steak, you’ll know exactly who we’re talking about. This renownedTurkishbutcher, chef, restaurateurwhoowns a chain of steakhouses and, first and foremost, successful entrepreneur, shot to fame when a video of him slicing meat and theatrically salting itwent viral online. Memes quickly began appearing, andhe grew increasingly famous and wealthy. Evidently, his approachtothepreparationandpresentationofmeat is still proving successful, because todayNusret owns 22restaurantsworldwide,wherediners pay almost 1,200 euros for the Tomahawk, a steakwitha coating of 24-karat gold. Many critics rate his food as mediocre, but he’s earned more than eight million euros just from the restaurant that he opened in London last year, and that came after just the first three months of operations. “Nusret Gökçe is now a big star, but how longwill that last?” oncewroteonecritic,whonowprobably realises just how mistaken he waswhenhewrote indignantlyabout this guy fromTurkeywho hosts the world’s biggest stars, including the likes of Rihanna, Al Pacino, David Beckham, Ronaldo et al. Istanbul, the citywhereEast and West collide so impressively, in the traditional and the contemporary, has a specific vibe that’s determined to a large extent by the local cuisine. If you stroll the streets of Beşiktaş in themornings, youwon’t encounter as many people rushing around as you’ll come across those sitting at numerous cafes, peacefully enjoying theirfirst coffeeor teaof theday.And wherever there’s coffee, there’s also some delectable pastries, followed by lunch beside the Bosporus Strait and, of course, good baklava, which is much more lavish and unlike the kindtowhichwe’reaccustomed.And right there, in the midst of that fusion of flavours, situated in an elite part of Istanbul, immediately alongside the boutiques of the most exclusive fashion brands, stands one of Salt Bae’s three restaurants in this city. It is mandatory to reserve a tableatNusr-EtMaçkaPalas,while the restaurant is constantlypackedwith people, like a busy beehive. You are awaited in the large lobFoto: Profimedia.rs / Shootpix/ABACA / Abaca Press
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