The Nusr-Et restaurant, in Doha, famous for selling gold-plated meat, had a wait of about half an hour yesterday before the game between Brazil and Korea, and its tables were crowded with Brazilians. “I love Brazilians and Brazilians love me even more”, said chef Nusret Gökçe, parading between one table and another. “Everyone is enjoying it. It’s a fantastic time.”
Dividing the kitchen from the living room, a display case displayed a wide variety of vegetables on one side and, on the other, pieces of raw meat, including Tomahawk steaks (a generous chop) already coated with gold leaf. “The meat is really good, the atmosphere is cool as hell,” said a Brazilian who introduced himself as Wilson. “I came because I wanted to eat some meat and it’s not everywhere here in Qatar that you find it.” He said he didn’t eat the golden steak, but said the simpler version he tried lived up to expectations. “I think it was silver,” he joked.
In addition to Brazilians, identified with the selection’s uniforms, the tables were occupied by many Mexicans. Former defender Rafa Marques, one of the greatest soccer players to be born in Mexico, was having lunch with friends.
The Turkish restaurant chain has been internationally known since at least 2017, when videos of Nusret Gökçe serving customers in a very private way went viral. Yesterday, he would walk around the tables throwing performative pinches of rock salt on the meat and, sometimes, taking food with a knife straight into people’s mouths. The chain has branches in other cities, such as London, New York, Miami and Dubai.
On the menu, the “Golden Ottoman Steak”, plated with 24-carat gold, costs the equivalent of R$3,335. There are other cheaper options for those who want to taste gold in their mouth (although gold has no taste, as the chef himself has already admitted): the golden hamburger costs the equivalent of R$715 — fries come with it.
Located outside a luxury hotel in Doha, the Nusr-Et has become the scene of the most recent controversy for the Brazilian team in Qatar. Last week, Vinicius Jr, Eder Militão and Gabriel Jesus, invited by former player Ronaldo, allowed themselves to be filmed eating the main dish on the menu. Critics saw the scene as an ostentation in poor taste given the economic situation of most of the Brazilian population.
“The players came and were extremely happy”, said chef Nusret about the Brazilians’ visit, probably also happy with the involuntary publicity made by the athletes.
Showcase displays cuts at Nusr-Et, a restaurant that serves gold-plated meat, in Doha
Image: Adriano Wilkson/UOL
Tags: national team players Brazilians fill Golden Steak restaurant
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