Erbil governor addresses closure of Aland Steakhouse over $87,000 dish controversy

ERBIL — Erbil Governor Omed Khoshnaw has clarified the closure of Aland Steakhouse following public outrage over its extravagant $87,000 menu item named “Kurdistan.” The governor said Tuesday the decision was based on ‘regulatory violations’ and the dish’s ‘incompatibility’ with local values.

“The highly priced dish presented by the restaurant was not socially acceptable in the public sphere,” Khoshnaw said at a press conference in Erbil. “The Kurdistan Region has its own unique characteristics. Furthermore, no one can use Kurdistan’s name commercially without proper permissions.”

The controversial dish featured an elaborate presentation, including gold-encrusted containers adorned with diamonds, gold-infused caviar, whale liver oil, and premium chicken. Guests were also served custom diamond-studded hookah and coffee cups, which they could keep. The restaurant reportedly required three months to prepare the dish and displayed customers’ profiles on its website as part of the experience.

The dish drew widespread criticism, with many questioning its appropriateness in the region. Governor Khoshnaw underscored the importance of adhering to local laws and pricing standards. “To honor the public’s values, this particular dish being offered was incompatible with the norms of the Kurdistan Region,” he said.

Khoshnaw clarified that the closure did not mean the permanent shutdown of the restaurant. “The restaurant will not be fully closed; we are only requiring the withdrawal of this overly expensive dish,” he said.

Authorities also issued two demands to the restaurant owner: to discontinue the controversial menu item and to issue a public apology. The governor reaffirmed that municipal committees are responsible for ensuring compliance with laws regulating business practices and pricing.