Salt Bae, the famous Turkish butcher Nusret Gökçe, may soon open his first restaurant in Milan. The news, spread on social media by Salt Bae himself, has sparked excitement among fans and lovers of high-quality meat.
According to rumors, the new eatery could find a home inside Casa Brera, a prestigious hotel in the heart of the city. However, the situation is still not entirely clear: in fact, the Marriott International group has not officially confirmed the opening.
Who is Nusret Gökçe, the man behind the Salt Bae phenomenon
Nusret Gökçe, better known as Salt Bae, has become a global restaurant icon thanks to his signature act of salting meat.
Born in 1983 in Erzurum, Turkey, to a family of Kurdish descent, Gökçe began his career as a store assistant at an Istanbul butcher at the age of 14. His passion for meat led him to work for free in restaurants in Argentina and the United States between 2007 and 2010, perfecting his cutting and cooking techniques.
In 2010, Gökçe opened his first steak house Nusr-Et in his hometown, but it was in 2017 that his fame exploded globally. A video posted on his restaurant’s Twitter profile showing Gökçe salting meat with his now iconic gesture went viral, reaching more than 10 million views in a matter of hours.
Since then, the nickname “Salt Bae” has become synonymous with magnificence and showmanship in the restaurant world.
Today it counts with 32 restaurants around the world.
Casa Brera: Salt Bae’s possible new stage in Milan
Casa Brera, located in Piazzetta Bossi in Milan, is the perfect setting for Salt Bae’s eventual debut in the Lombard capital.
This recently opened luxury hotel is part of the Marriott Group’s Luxury Collection and is distinguished by its historic architecture and contemporary design.
The building, a 20th-century palazzo designed by Pietro Lingeri, was expertly restored by architect Paolo Asti, while the interiors were designed by renowned designer Patricia Urquiola.
The property already boasts four top restaurants: Odachi, under the consultancy of chef Haruo Ichikawa, Living, Etereo and Scena, led by chef Andrea Berton.
The addition of a signature Salt Bae restaurant could further raise the gastronomic and glamorous profile of Casa Brera, attracting an upscale, international clientele in line with the usual target audience of Nusret Gökçe’s establishments.
The little mystery behind the news
Despite the excitement generated by Salt Bae’s social media announcement, the situation remains shrouded in mystery. The Marriott International group, operator of Casa Brera, has not yet officially confirmed the news of the restaurant’s opening. In a statement, the group said that “no contracts with other chefs have been finalized” and reiterated the presence of the four existing restaurants in the facility.
However, Salt Bae has signed a contract with real estate developer Giuseppe Statuto, owner of Casa Brera, fueling speculation about the possible opening.
This apparent mismatch between the parties involved adds an element of suspense to the affair, leaving fans waiting for further developments.
Salt Bae’s other openings in Italy.
Nusret Gökçe’s interest in the Italian market is not limited to Milan. In the past, there have been rumors regarding possible openings in Rome and Naples, fueling the anticipation of Italian fans of the famous Turkish butcher.
Although details about these openings still remain uncertain, Salt Bae’s expansion in Italy seems to be a priority for the brand.
The choice of cities such as Rome, Naples and Milan demonstrates Gökçe’s intention to position itself in the nerve centers of Italian gastronomic culture, offering its particular interpretation of a cuisine that features meat in a context of glitz and showmanship.
Salt Bae’s arrival in Milan, if confirmed, would represent an important innovation in the city’s gastronomic scene. The combination of the culinary experience offered by Nusret Gökçe and the elegance of Casa Brera could create a new landmark for meat and luxury lovers in Italy’s fashion capital.
It remains to be seen if and when this collaboration will materialize, but one thing is certain: the interest and anticipation of Salt Bae fans is through the roof.