The Gonzaga sisters—Toni and Alex—shared on Instagram on Sunday, December 31, 2023, a video taken while dining at the famous Nusr-Et Steakhouse owned by Turkish restaurateur Nusret Gökçe, popularly known as Salt Bae.
The video was apparently taken at the Dubai branch located at the Four Seasons Resort in Jumeirah.
Serving the steaks in full view of Toni and Alex was no other than Salt Bae himself.
Based on the video, Toni and Alex ordered four steaks, with Salt Bae slicing each in his signature style.
Alex, along with Toni's son Seve, even sprinkled salt on the steak, copying Salt Bae's distinct move: arms up and flicking the wrist while seasoning the meat for added showmanship.
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Wrote Alex, "Experiencing and meeting #Saltbae. Ito yung literal na mapapasubo ka (LOL emoji)."
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A netizen commented on Alex's post, "Nabudol kayo ng resto nya (LOL emoji)."
Another one remarked, "Literal na waldas (LOL emoji."
Wondered a netizen, "Bakit kaya cila kumain dito.. marami ng worth the price namn."
But a follower also mentioned, "If afford why not enjoy!"
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MENu PRICES BASED ON REPORTS
Several articles online have circulated over the years giving the public an idea of the range of prices found in the restaurant's menu—and it's astonishing, to say the least.
Read: Ribeye steak na nagkakahalaga ng PHP7,000, gaano kasarap?
According to an article by The Sun published in August 2022, special items on the menu in Nusr-Et in London include a Golden Burger for £100 (PHP7,000), Golden Giant Striploin for £1,350 (PHP95,000), Golden Giant Tomahawk steak for £1,450 (PHP 102,000), and Golden Kafes for £500 (PHP35,000).
The Men's Lifestyle magazine, Boss Hunting, came out with an article in September 2023 recalling a post that went viral in 2021 after a patron at Nusr-Et in Miami, U.S.A. uploaded a photo of their receipt with a staggering bill amounting to $6,228.05 (PHP345,000).
The most eye-popping item on the receipt posted was the Golden Tomahawk at $1,000 (PHP55,000).
Meanwhile, in the restaurant's Dubai branch, hunks of gold-coated beef cost AED 1,250 (PHP18,000) each, according to a report way back in 2019 by the Mail Online.
Non-gold dusted pieces of steak at the time start from AED 340 (PHP5,000).
The website, Fine Dine, contains a list of the menu items from Nusr-Et, Dubai, although it's not mentioned if the prices and selections shown are updated.
According to the website, the Golden Fillet Mignon costs AED 1,000 (PHP15,000), while the Sirt or charcoaled tenderloin is priced from AED820 (PHP12,000) to AED 1,200 (PHP18,000).
The Golden Ottoman Steak or thick bone-in rib eye amounts to AED 3,500 (PHP52,000), the Golden Giant Tomahawk at AED 5,000 (PHP75,000), and the Golden Burger at AED 760 (PHP11,000).
*All prices indicated in Philippine peso are based on the current exchange rate.
WHO IS SALT BAE?
Born in 1983 in Pasali, Erzurum in Turkey, Salt Bae, whose real name is Nusret Gökçe, started as a butcher's apprentice at an early age, as stated in his profile.
After working for several restaurants in different countries, Nusret opened his first restaurant in 2010 in Istanbul, Turkey, officially the Republic of Türkiye.
He earned the nickname "Salt Bae" after becoming an internet sensation in 2017 for his series of videos showing him cutting steak meat and sprinkling salt in such a dramatic fashion.
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Nusret's antics—complete with him wearing a tight-fitting white shirt, black pants, a pair of round dark glasses, and a sleek ponytail—became viral and generated widespread attention to his restaurants.
His chain of luxury steakhouses named Nusr-Et currently has branches in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the U.S.A.
Salt Bae's global fame, however, did not translate favorably to the quality of the food, particularly the steak, his restaurants were offering.
Several casual diners and professional food critics called the restaurant's food items "an absolute rip-off" and "overpriced," and the meat "overcooked," among other harsh comments.
It was reported in July 2023 that Nusr-Et Steakhouse in London has introduced in its menu several options at more reasonable prices, including a lunch set menu at £39 (PHP2,751).