Love Him Tender
Turkish Restaurateur Nusret Gökçe, aka “Salt Bae,” Still Sprinkling In Dallas.
Search the internet for the world's most famous butcher, and the name Nusret Gökçe won’t be found. The slight has to come from an algorithmic issue, because the Turkish butcher turned global restaurateur to stars like Leonardo DiCaprio has nearly 50 million Instagram followers. A recent 15-second video of the fit and flamboyant 39-year-old catches him flipping a beef loin in the air with a knife and slicing it like butter as it descends upon his blade has more than 257,000 likes.
But what really put Nusret on the map, and gave him the affectionate nickname “Salt Bae,” was a similarly short 2017 video of his now iconic move — a fluttering fingers-over-forearm salt sprinkle — done over a freshly-cut ribeye that has been viewed 17 million times. The burst of fame accelerated his ascent up the culinary ranks, which at current count includes 22 Nusr-Et restaurants across the globe from Dubai to Dallas and most every celebrity hot spot in between.
Life wasn’t always this glamorous for Gökçe. Born in 1983 to a mineworker father, he had to abandon school in the sixth grade to help his father make ends meet. He was working as a butcher’s apprentice before kids his age were shaving. Dedicated to his new craft, Gökçe learned quickly and gained a reputation as a skilled butcher. The early start combined with long hours became the cornerstone of his success. By the age of 25, he became a linchpin of the butchery company he worked for and was able to save money to put toward his ultimate goal of starting his own restaurant.
With some savings and more than a decade of experience, Gökçe traveled to Argentina and the United States in 2007, often offering his services for free so he could continue to advance his skills. He returned to Turkey in 2010 and humbly opened his first restaurant of just eight tables. With an investment from a wealthy customer who found his food extraordinary, Gökçe opened new restaurants in Dubai and Istanbul.
Just seven years removed from working in restaurants for no money at all, Gökçe’s Nusr-Et brand was awarded The Five Star Diamond Award in 2014 from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. This was the first time a restaurant in Turkey was recognized internationally for such a high level of quality.
The rags-to-riches story is as impressive as the prices on this well-heeled menu. Get ready to put your money where your mouth is because the signature Saltbae Tomahawk starts at $265 and soars as high as $1,700 for the Golden version coated in edible 24-karat gold.
At Nusr-Et, you come for the chance at a brush with greatness, but you stay for the impeccably prepared and presented meats — of which there are many. For starters, try the razor-thin beef carpaccio, prepared with Parmigiano-Reggiano and a 12-year aged balsamic vinegar. If you’re looking for something you’ll never see anywhere else, try the meat sushi. The inventive appetizer is made of thin-sliced New York Strip steak, topped with sushi rice, crispy potato straws, fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano, avocado cream, soy sauce and ginger.
The meat sushi is an appropriate lead-in to the painstakingly ribbon-styled cuts of Wagyu striploin entree also known as meat spaghetti. Saslik is another flavor-filled find where tenderloin pieces are marinated in buttermilk and spices and served with grilled shallots.
Meat enthusiasts will be enticed by a full rack of lamb, an 8-hour roasted Asado short rib, and the Amor, Salt Bae’s private reserve cut of house-marinated Wagyu rib cap. Large enough for four to share and with a price of $2,500, you may want to go Dutch too.
Sides are served family style and include all of your traditional favorites from sauteed mushrooms and mashed potatoes to asparagus and Brussels sprouts. At $18 per side, this could be a great date night for you and your favorite vegetarian.
If you’ve saved room and some money for dessert, you can end the night with a slice of Nusr-Et’s 24-karat gold-wrapped Baklava promptly flown in from Turkey. Paired with a golden cappuccino will only set you back another $120.
Love this memeable meat master or not, if you’re able to tender your wallet on such a night, it will be something worth talking about.