Salt Bae Restaurant Cuts Down Energy Expenses Despite Selling Overpriced Steaks

By Thea Felicity

Feb 19 2024, 12:01 PM EST

Salt Bae Restaurant — Turkish restaurateur Nusret Gokce, also known as 'Salt Bae', poses for photos at his restaurant 'Nusr-Et' at the Grand Bazaar after its reopening on June 1, 2020 in Istanbul. - Turkey reopened restaurants, cafes and Istanbul's iconic 15th century Grand Bazaar market on June 1 as the government further eased coronavirus restrictions. Many other facilities including parks, beaches, libraries and museums also reopened across the country, while millions of public sector employees returned to work. Photo by OZAN KOSE/AFP via Getty Images

Salt Bae's restaurant in London, known for its incredibly pricey steaks, like the $732 wagyu striploin and the $678 giant tomahawk steak, has been compelled to cut heating expenses due to soaring energy bills.

Salt Bae's Steak Price

Despite selling high-priced dishes, The Guardian noted that the Nusr-Et steakhouse at the Park Tower hotel in Knightsbridge has faced financial constraints. Therefore, prompting cost-saving measures.

Founded by Salt Bae, also known as Nusret Gökçe, the restaurant reported a significant rise in pre-tax profits to nearly $3.5 million in 2022. With sales reaching $14.6 million. Owners received dividends of $3 million, indicating a substantial increase from the previous year.

The establishment, criticized as a "ludicrous restaurant" by Observer critic Jay Rayner, has adjusted its menu. Removing signature items like the $1,561 gold-covered steak amid economic challenges.

Instead, a $53 pistachio baklava is the only gold-covered item left. To improve operational efficiency, the restaurant implemented measures such as turning off central heating after hours, reducing lighting, and optimizing the use of the air curtain system to prevent drafts.

Salt Bae Restaurant Changes

These changes are part of Salt Bae's restaurant's commitment to energy conservation, which includes the installation of LED lights and energy-efficient insulation.

The surge in energy prices, fueled by geopolitical tensions like Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has impacted businesses across sectors, compelling them to implement cost-cutting strategies.

However-despite economic challenges exacerbated by factors like the Omicron variant and Brexit, Nusret UK, under the Turkish conglomerate Doğuş Group, performed better than expected in 2021 and 2022.

Even amid recent controversies and closures, Salt Bae's steak stint popularity remains high, with celebrities like David Beckham and Leonardo DiCaprio drawn to the chance of meeting him.

While his social media fame has endured setbacks, such as backlash over accessing the World Cup final pitch and the closure of his Manhattan burger joint, Salt Bae's London restaurant continues to attract attention. Albeit amid financial constraints and energy-saving measures.

What's Next for Salt Bae's Restaurant?

Nonetheless, regardless of Salt Bae restaurant's current condition, it's unlikely for the infamous steak figure to go out of business.

Recently, Yahoo Finance reported a criticism against him for flaunting a $108,000 bill from his Dubai steakhouse on Instagram with the caption "Money comes, money goes."

This isn't the first time Salt Bae has been called out for such behavior. That doesn't mean it affected his steak prices-notably the three golden steaks and a giant tomahawk steak, collectively totaling $1,388 and $1,361, respectively.