Give Me Astoria is sad to share the news that Chef Orhan Yegen, behind the acclaimed Lokanta restaurant in Astoria, has passed away at the age of 65Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Lokanta opened its doors at 31-16 Broadway in 2019 to much acclaim for its classic Turkish dishesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Throughout his culinary career, Chef Yegen worked at dozens of New York City restaurants, eventually opening Sip Sak in New York City in 2004Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

Since its opening, Chef Yegen’s Lokanta Astoria has gone on two receive 2Give_Me_Astoria_image_00028.5 stars from Pete Wells of The New York TimesGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. Lokanta has also received praise from renowned publications such as The New Yorker, Eater NY, The Infatuation, and moreGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.

The team at Give Me Astoria would like to send our deepest condolences to Chef Yegen’s family, friends, and the team at Lokanta & Sip SakGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028. For more information on Lokanta, you may visit their website, or visit our review of Lokanta hereGive_Me_Astoria_image_00028.