We chose Aubergine in Carmel--led by Chef Justin Cogley--for my wife's birthday/Mother's Day celebration, and the experience was exceptional from start to finish. We began with the "Gift from the Coast," a sequence of five bite-sized starters that showcased beautifully layered coastal flavors. Right away, the crustade, Wagyu tartare, Morro Bay oyster, bluefin tuna, and especially the hamachi stood out as highlights. The progression of courses continued to impress: abalone with heirloom asparagus, kinmedai, and diver scallop each reflected precise technique and pristine ingredients, all rooted in coastal influence. The roasted duck and rib-eye--enhanced with an optional A5 Wagyu addition--felt like a perfect, indulgent transition in the meal. To finish, snap peas with pickled strawberries offered a bright contrast, followed by pumpkin seed ice cream that closed the experience on a thoughtful, refined note. The service team--Joaquin, John, Danny, Vic, and Nishal--elevated the evening with attentive, warm, and seamless hospitality. Their timing and coordination were impeccable throughout. Special thanks as well to Cameron for handling valet parking effortlessly. The dining room itself was immaculate, including the restrooms, and carried a quiet elegance. The custom-made plates and bowls used for each course added another layer to the overall aesthetic and artistry of the meal. It's hard to fully capture how memorable this dinner was, but it easily ranks as one of the best dining experiences I've had. read more

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Highly recommend for a romantic dinner! We came here for Valentine's Day and I was so impressed! Dinner was well paced, the wine pairings were amazing, and the staff were all so kind and friendly. read more

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Bro I don't even know where to begin. I been holdin off on writin this review because I wasn't sure if I could find the words to fully encapsulate the otherworldly experience me and my gf had here. Right when we walked through those doors, staff immediately showed through action what it truly means to have 2 Michellin stars. I have NEVER had people take my coat, pull our chairs, provide my gf a seat for her purse, sweep our breadcrumbs with a specialized brush and replace our silverware between each course. The restaurant itself is pretty tiny. It was a dimmed, sophisticated, but playful take on a beach cove. I think it seats like 12 ppl max and a bar lobby for early showers. That's probably what it takes to keep their operations a well-oiled gear spinning machine. The drinks were delightful. Their wine list is a fuckin ENCYCLOPEDIA. And the food? My god what a culinary journey man. Im only posting limited pictures cuz I want everyone to experience the same surprise that I did. Every bite was an explosive experience, even the lactose free menu for my gf. Favorites included the appetizer spread, scallop and brioche (soooo crispy and flaky), and tire fish with broth and peanut rice (holy Vietnam did that take me back to my roots). Right when we were boutta end off on 2 wonderful desserts, we were then reminded that for our anniversary they sent out ANOTHER dessert and a couple more chocolates/pastries the road. After a filling meal like that we were actually sick of chocolate for the rest of the month lol. Overall a transformative experience. This restaurant is a MUST TRY when visiting Carmel CA read more

Aubergine - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Aubergine is the perfect restaurant! Staying here and eating here is a dream. We've eaten at 3 stars all over the world and we are still confused why Aubergine has been snubbed the third star. It's such a small restaurant with an intimate experience. Fantastic staff and wine list. Highly recommend splurging on the wagyu as an addition to the menu- absolutely perfect. We love it here and the salon so much. A 2 night stay at lauberge completes the experience as well. Thank you and see you next year! read more

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Aubergine was amazing from when you walk in to when you walk out. Our group of 5 were sat downstairs in the wine cellar to celebrate our friend's birthday. It was an intimate setting away from the main dining room but we never felt forgotten. The amuse-bouche board was a lovely way to start off the meal with every single bite being so delicious. My favorite dishes of the night were the scallop with laminated brioche, ribeye & onion tart with a side of sourdough bread & beef bone gelée butter, and the pumpkin gelato. Appreciated Chef Cogley presenting two of the dishes of the night. There were so many people making it a well oiled machine that you can't keep up with who was who. I would definitely come back time and time again and highly recommend for everyone to dine in if in the area. read more

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I knew the space at Aubergine was intimate, but I wasn't expecting it to be that small! It does add to the charm though, so I didn't mind it. Most diners sit side-by-side, and there was only one 2-top where the party sat facing one another. Service was impeccable and I found some new non-alcoholic drinks that I would have never otherwise discovered! Some staff are quite friendly and welcoming whereas the others are a bit stiff, so personality-wise, they seem a bit over the place (someone else also mentioned this, so I know I'm not alone!). The menu is kept a surprise and they change the courses seasonally. There's a total of 8 courses before you end the meal with some chocolate bon-bons and they send up home with what I call their version of kit-kats. The kitchen was able to accommodate my dietary restrictions with acceptable substitutions and I really enjoyed the first few small bites. My salmon with the chimichurri sauce was the only dish that fell somewhat flat. I didn't think there was much flavor, which was actually pretty surprising. I did really enjoy the last dessert course and they also gave me the last scoop of ice cream (after I inquired about it since they present 3 scoops and only give out 2). I saw Chef Justin greeting 3 out of the 5 tables. He skipped ours and the table next to us. Not sure if that was because of time constraints or what not, but it seemed odd to only greet a few tables considering there's only a total of 5. I did see him lingering with diners in the other room where they offer a bar menu or a la carte selections. read more

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This review is long overdue for one of the best meals I've ever had, one that still lingers vividly in my memory years later. We came to Aubergine to celebrate my wife's birthday, and from start to finish, the experience was nothing short of perfect. The staff were so welcoming and incredibly knowledgeable, not just about every course but also the background of the space itself, sharing how each piece of glass and plate ware was meticulously selected and sourced with a clear vision in mind. Every course was a work of art, each with its own story tying back to the meal's overall theme, and with every bite, the chef's intentions shone through in perfectly. Though every course was memorable and delicious in its own right, my absolute favorite was the asparagus ice with caviar and it still stands as one of the single best dishes I've ever eaten, especially because it was so delightfully unexpected. The contrasting flavors, textures, and temperatures all wove together into something so complex yet so cohesive and unforgettable. I can't recommend Aubergine enough as a fantastic spot to celebrate something truly special, and there's no better way to spend a weekend than at one of Carmel's spectacular B&Bs. read more

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Just had the most spectacular meal at Aubergine! Lots of Asian and some Latin American influences in the courses. The food is fun, inspired while the service and techniques combine old world fine dining with warmth and a sense of familiarity. Some courses that do this phenomenally are their squid ink tart with carmelized onions. They also serve a duck in a Oaxacan mole sauce. As well as a Kinmedai lettuce wrap with chawanmushi and a broth. Chef Justin does all this with a sense of rhythm and intention. Staff is awesome. Huge thanks to John, Joachin, Danny and Katie. read more

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One of the best dining experiences of my life. From customer care, expert wine knowledge and incredible food this establishment has raised the bar for the culinary world. The Chef is a visionary, allowing his art to wow the eyes with colors and textures that jump from the plate. He pushes the envelope on flavor pairings such as steak with anchovy, which one would think is strange but boy does it work. Every dish was superb even down to the homemade bread which was the perfect crunch to soft. The cook on the proteins was perfect and the duck was out of this world. It brings me great joy to see a Chef's love for his craft be presented in every bite. And Bravo for exploring flavors and textures and bringing us the unexpected- this truly shows you are a master of your craft. Simply one of the best meals of my life. If you are ready for some magic with some unexpected turns you, my friend, have come to the right place. read more

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TL;DR - wonderful fine dining experience, service struck that perfect balance of warm, professional, elegant, and personal. Food was wonderful - impeccable presentation, interesting and daring choices. Wine pairings were very well explained, most well paired with the cuisine. Longer: We stayed at L'auberge (the hotel in which Aubergine is hosted) and thus had a no-travel experience. Dining room is very small and intimate (5 tables total, all occupied at our seating), and two seatings per evening. Dress code is business casual, and all but one of the other parties honored that. As we'd dined the evening prior at Chez Noir (also recommended) we were not up for a full 7 course wine pairing, and staff offered shared pairing for my wife and I...perfect for us that evening and a perfect way to enjoy the pairing selections without being over served. This review will not attempt to provide detailed descriptions of every course. Suffice to say you will not be disappointed at the 2 Michelin Star choices to develop and execute a wide variety of unique culinary choices and selections. Some of the selections skew Asian on the taste palette, but the overall vibe is "pan-American" if that makes sense. Our associate sommelier provided lengthy descriptions of each of the wine courses (including, at one point, the note that the origin vineyard is adjacent to where Cardinal Richelieu obtained his grapes...The Three Musketeers, anyone?). In most cases, the wine was a delightful complement to the accompanying course. If you note a small bit of reservation here, I would offer that the most perfect pairings I have ever experienced were at the storied Chez Panisse; in that case, each pairing seamlessly married with the course, and brought out nuances in both the wine and the food which you might not pick up on their own. I have yet to experience as powerful a soup-to-nuts pairing experience...although Aubergine's was far closer than many of the attempts I've had over the years. I'll be reviewing the other Michelin-lauded restaurant (afore mentioned Chez Noir) separately - both are highly recommended for diners who would like to experience a dining "event" and want to spend the cheddar these kinds of places demand these days. read more

Aubergine - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Lovely experience and friendly staff. I believe it was 7-8 courses. Ordered non alcoholic drinks and asked for bartenders choice and absolutely loved my drink! Favorite of the night was the fish course with a broth and peanut xo sauce over rice. The strawberry shortbread cake was also a favorite as the flavors were delicious. Wagyu was an extra addition and sadly was too fatty for me. read more

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This is such a warm restaurant with delicious food and wonderful service. The space is cozy and on the smaller side. But the tables are nicely spaced out so it doesn't feel cramped. We sat in a booth. Chef came out and greeted us and brought out our dishes a couple times. He was very friendly. Would recommend. read more

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2 Michelin Star in Carmel by the Sea. As soon as I saw an opening, I just reserved the dinner reservation 8pm, and book my flight right away. Parking: easy free 2hr street parking Dress code: business casual. But I also see a guest wearing jeans. Restroom: 2 individual gender neutral restrooms. If you get there to early for your reservation, you can walk around the town, plenty of stores you can explore. This restaurant has a hotel and restaurant. The restaurant has 2 seating 5pm and 8pm wed thru sun only. Tasting menu appetizers + 8 course tasting menu for$285 per person. The whole restaurant can only serve 20 people per seating. Reservation via tock, must be prepaid and 20%, service charged included. Wine, beer, champagne or non alcoholic beverages pairing are available for extra. You also just can get 1 glass. Their selection of beverages is like a Bible. Wow. There's a bar seating area you can order any drink while they are getting your table ready, or you can sit outside in their courtyard that connect to their hotels. The hospitality and service is outstanding. The chefs takes turn and came out to your table serving and explained the courses. Very intimidate experience. We added a A5 miyazaki wagyu $220 per 4oz, which we shouldn't, we were so full. Not a fan. It's too fatty. All the tasting menu changes almost every week. The flavour profile is more asian fusions, they use a lot of coconut milk. Overall, they are amazing. Desserts were outstanding. read more

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To say Chef Justin and his kitchen brigade are masters of their craft is an understatement. Amazing creativity and flavors course after course. I lost count, but I believe it was 7 official courses with 3-4 extras brought between courses. I was super full at the end of our meal. There is no menu at Aubergine, as every course and concept is curated by Chef Justin using largely locally sourced ingredients prepared in a super creative way. Make no mistake, flavor is not lost in chef using his brilliant knowledge and techniques to take you on a culinary adventure. Standout dishes were: 1) a diced scallop served in smoked tomato and butter sauce. The dish was accompanied with a pastry shaped like a muffin and tasted like a croissant... to mop up the remaining tomato butter sauce. I will dream of that sauce and pastry for many weeks to come. 2) sliced duck breast with this smokey char flavor served with a dipping sauce that was out of this world. 3) The last mind blower was the final course (dessert). By tableside, they mix together a corn ice cream with a local honey transformed into a crunchy element, and two other additional ingredients to create the most unique tableside 'cold stone creamery approach' corn ice cream creation. Sweet, salty, crunchy...a perfect way to finish a near perfect meal. My only critique is the service staff is a little too serious for my taste. While the staff is certainly friendly and pleasant, there is no levity, nor light hearted banter in the dining room which could have made for a more enjoyable experience. A Fine dining experience like Aubergine can be pretty intimidating. Having a little more levity in the dining room would take that serious edge off. Just a thought... read more

Such a great restaurant as my first solo dining experience. The restaurant is just beautiful and the staff were welcoming. They even provided me a culinary reading book during dinner. The presentations were immaculate but the taste of each dish was even better. Enjoyed my delicious cocktail as well. Definitely recommend AUBERGINE if you are any where near Carmel. read more

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My overall experience at Aubergine (while staying a L'Auberge) was nothing short of extraordinary! Was lucky enough to be the only ones dinning in the dimly lit room which made it even more exceptional. The service was warm, intuitive and flawlessly executed! The presentation was exquisite. Each course was thoughtfully composed and bursting with seasonal ingredients that celebrated California's coastal bounty. The sommelier's pairings also elevated the experience to another level. Highly recommend for anyone looking to indulge in an elevated Michelin-star dining experience! read more

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An absolutely stellar experience! The food was amazing with mix of Asian-inspired dishes we really enjoyed. The staff also did an excellent job and the pacing of each course was very well done. The dining experience was much more intimate than we expected and even though there were 4 other couples dining, we felt like the only ones in the room. read more

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Just finished a very enjoyable meal at Aubergine, where I last dined almost a decade ago. Things have evolved quite a bit, though there are some throughlines between my prior experience and this one. Food was very strong overall, with several standout courses and one disappointing one. This price point and two-star Michelin status set a high bar, and my rating should be taken in that context. The highlights included beef that was among the very best beef I've had, including both the ribeye and the pricey add-on wagyu. (Eight years ago, my meal also included filet mignon that was among the best bites I'd had.) The beef was accompanied by excellent little sourdough boules finished with beef fat and butter with a beef gelee; the protein, fat, and carb combination of this course was deeply satisfying. A duck course was also excellent. And meal-ending chocolates were excellent. Other courses we also enjoyed quite a bit included scallops that were very good, though the tomatoes with which they were paired outshone them. A tilefish course was also very good, with crispy scales, though the broth with which it was served felt like the flavor could have been dialed up a notch, for my palate; the rice and peanut XO sauce served with it were very satisfying. The dessert was surprisingly disappointing for everyone at the table. It was a panna cotta, substituted with a coconut milk variant for me, given my dairy issues. Both the panna cotta and what accompanied it had mild, flat flavors, everyone at the table was underwhelmed. Dessert is such an important close to the meal, this felt like a real missed opportunity. It actually rose to the level where I considered sending it back, though I decided not to do that on this occasion. And thankfully the meal concluded with truffles that were excellent. Wine pairings were consistently outstanding. And I appreciated that they were delicious, not just intellectually interesting, a trap into which sommeliers sometimes seem to fall. And while I appreciated the somm's enthusiasm, I would have dialed back the lectures a little, and focused a bit more on why the pairings were chosen and a bit less on making the case for the wines' cachet. Service was solid. Being initially seated in the bar area, not offered water or anything else there, before being moved to the dining room felt a bit off. (The last time, eight years back, we were offered complimentary champagne there; I expected that again, and would have encouraged it today.) At times a little more feedback on how to eat the food--e.g. how to sequence--would have been welcome. The wagyu upsell midmeal--where a big hunk of gorgeous wagyu was brought to the table and a very expensive upsell was offered--felt a bit off to me, and I was conscious it put a lot of pressure on the meal's host. On a more positive note, the chef, Justin Cogley, visiting every table was a nice touch. read more

Overall C: celebrated with my husband this past weekend at the 3-star Aubergine Salon in Carmel by the Sea. Creative presentation, decent service, nice intimate environment, however surprisingly expensive for what we got for dinner: crab dip (so we good we should have ordered twice in place of one of the entrees), oysters, cheese board, salmon. Recommend, if you have high tastes and a big budget. read more

Aubergine - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

Tucked away in the beautiful Carmel by the sea downtown area, this restaurant and this dinner experience was a pleasant surprise. Cozy small dining area with merely five or so tables, offering two dinner services, this place was such an amazing and intimate dining experience. Service was flawless and food was beyond expectations. The first course starts with 5 small bite sized dishes, one topped by other. Then goes on to oyesters, fishes, duck, wagyu, and what not! The desserts were nice but maybe leaves more room for creativity! Chef Justin Cogley came to serve every table a few times :) Definitely worth coming back for! read more

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Good food and service although slow in bar area. Michelin is well deserved. Good wine pairings.

Dining at Aubergine was hands-down one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in my life. The food, service, staff were amazing throughout the evening. Instead of going with a wine pairing, my wife and I ordered a cocktail to go with our meal. I feel like very few -- if any, reviews talk about the cocktails here, but they're very well made. In addition to cocktails, there's a limited selection of beers available, and wine by the glass as well, so you don't have to commit to a full wine tasting. Throughout the evening, multiple courses had table side sauce service from the kitchen staff. I thought this was a nice touch because we were able to get a precise, thorough explanation of the dishes, including the sourcing of the ingredient and its preparation. The presentation of each course is thoughtful, aesthetic, and picture-worthy. It's clear a lot of planning and careful attention goes into plating. When our meal began, our waiter told us that we would not have a menu at hand because the meal was designed to be a surprise as the courses came out. I understand not all diners like a blind experience like this, but it was something I quite enjoyed. Without spoiling too much for future diners, the courses I enjoyed the most were the opening bites, the scallop course, and the desserts. I loved the inclusion of caviar in so many of the dishes. The desserts here are absolutely stunning in terms of creativity and execution. Even if you don't consider yourself a dessert person, I have no doubts you will love at least a few elements of dessert course. I cannot recommend Aubergine enough when it comes to fine dining. It's definitely worth the splurge for a special occasion and well deserving of its two Michelin stars. read more

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I had a phenomenal experience here with my husband. We noted on our reservation that we were celebrating our anniversary and they made sure our visit was special. They called to confirm our reservation, asked about any food restrictions/aversions and let us know that the dress code is business casual with ties and coats optional. The dining area is so intimate, seating only 10 people and an additional 10 or so in the outdoor patio. Their drink menu is literally the size of the Bible! Boasting with the most extensive selection of wines from the local region and around the world. We brought a bottle of local Pinot noir for an $85 corkage fee. We also started with a couple of their cocktails: ($18 each): Heat of the Moment- mezcal, tequila, lime and fermented Fresno. The Sundial- bourbon, yellow chartreuse, crème de banane & lemon. The drinks were stiff, but well balanced. For summer 2024, we had the following: 1st Course of Small Bites were so complex and intricate! - Kanpachi, leche de tigre & red masa - A-5 wagyu, egg yolk jam & sorghum - Pacific gold oysters, foam, spirulina - Red abalone, walnuts & corriander 2nd Course: a dollop of Kaluga Queen caviar on top of frozen fermented potato puree, cucumber and wakame. Quite fun to break through the thin layer of ice and mix the ingredients around. 3rd Course: Amadai (snapper), iberico & chawanmushi. This was my fave! Loved the crisp skin and iberico on top of the fish and the light sauce with it was to die for! 4th Course: Hokkaido scallop, shiro dashi & smoked trout roe. Heard the Chef has been working on the dashi (sauce) for a while now, and I unfortunately found it to be on the pretty salty side. The trout roe made this dish saltier as well. Scallops were a tad overcooked. 5th Course: lamb, pistachio, frisée & kohlrabi. Executive Chef Cogley came out to serve this dish and it well made up for the previous course! The lamb was aged for two weeks and the sauce was rich. The bites of pistachio yogurt bread with topped caviar, mind blowing and the lettuce, kohlrabi wrap served as a palate cleanser. 6th Course: dry-aged ribeye, onion & eggplant. Beautifully executed. Enjoyed the warm bread and house made butter that accompanied the course too. 7th Course: Olive oil and basil cake, tuille + strawberries, white chocolate ice cream on a mini cone, ricotta fritter with plum glaze and bittersweet chocolate & salted caramel. For our anniversary, they gave us an additional chocolate mousse cake with gold topping. I was already so full by this point, but the desserts were very light, making it easy to finish. Executive Chef Justin Cogley came out a couple times to check on us and chat a bit. He was so down to earth and easy going! Quite amazing and well deserved that he's earned many accolades over the years here. read more

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Dinner at L'Aubergine was absolutely amazing. Every dish was so thoughtful, beautifully presented, and had this little touch of fun that made the whole experience feel special. We loved the mystery of not seeing a menu and instead trying to piece each course together through the flatware, the aromas, and the drink pairings. It made every course feel like its own surprise, and each one was better than the last. If you go, add the A5 Wagyu. It honestly one of the best bites I've ever had. Definitely also add the wine pairings. Each sip elevated every dish in the best way. Between the creativity of the kitchen, the warm service, and the cozy, intimate atmosphere, L'Aubergine is the kind of place you never forget. Perfect spot to celebrate our honeymoon! read more

Came here for a special weekend to celebrate our anniversary and had high hopes! The ambiance and setting was really unique - it was part of the hotel and had a really small intimate indoor seating with only 5 tables. We were sat next to each other facing the center of the room but it still felt quite private and cozy. The menu was a surprise and while we liked most of the food, some of the dishes we felt were a bit on the saltier side. We were also surprised that so many ingredients were imported Japan rather than local (though we love Japanese ingredients too). Overall I think our favorite dish was the starter. It was a nice touch when executive chef Justin came out to serve a few courses and the waiters were attentive. However, we did tell the restaurant prior about our anniversary but unfortunately they did not wish us a happy anniversary nor was there any special touch for our desserts / etc. Overall a good experience and worth a try however it was definitely on the pricier side for a 1 Michelin star. read more

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I rarely write reviews, but this experience needs to be shared. My wife has Type 1 diabetes, a serious medical condition that can sometimes create emergencies outside of our control. We had to cancel our reservation for health reasons--and instead of showing basic compassion, this restaurant decided to charge us a full charge cancellation fee including food and 22% gratuity. I understand a cancellation for food prep but to be hit with tax and tip for something outside of my control is a little egregious. When I called to explain the situation, the woman on the phone was shockingly rude and completely lacking in empathy. Not only was there no understanding, but her tone made it clear that we were nothing more than an inconvenience. Hospitality should come with humanity, not a cold script and a credit card charge. I understand that restaurants want to protect their business, but penalizing someone for a legitimate medical emergency--and treating them rudely on top of it--is beyond disappointing. There are plenty of restaurants that value their guests and treat them like people, not transactions. Sadly, this establishment has made it very clear where their priorities lie, and we will not be returning. read more

The only thing I questioned after leaving tonight was how they only have one michelin star. Aubergine was amazing. From the moment we arrived, the service was on par with a lot of the three michelin star restaurants we have been to. The food also rivaled a lot of two and three michelin star restaurants. The main dining room was lovely, and we found the ambience to be very peaceful. The small bites were delicious and they made sure to curate the menu according to your dietary restrictions. Some of our favorite first course bites were the wagyu beef, radish, and tuna with caviar. The frozen course with snap peas was incredibly tasty, unique and well balanced. My favorite course had to be the hokkaido scallop with shiro dashi and carrot. It was not only beautiful but exceptionally delicious. Dessert finished strong with the olive basil cake. My husband did the wine pairing and enjoyed all of their selections. A special thank you to Vincent who helped ensure our menus were suitable for our dietary restrictions and to Danny and Ryan for having outstanding service. You are the best! We had an amazing night and my husband will always remember this special birthday dinner! read more

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An absolutely incredible dining experience. Spending an evening with Chef Cogley for my birthday was unforgettable. We went days before being awarded their 2nd star, and constantly talked about how the food, service, and attention to detail were deserving of it! The tasting menu was paced beautifully and paired perfectly with the wine! I got the "champagne only" pairing and it was so so fun. My partner and I were blown away by every course. From presentation to taste, we could not find anything negative to say. With the small dining room (we were inside) service was brisk, attentive, and consistently timely. If you are able to snag reservations--DO IT. Zero regrets. I'm already salivating at the opportunity to return. read more

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amazing talent and flavors! would definitely recommend checking it out if you're looking for amazing food.

Food, service and ambiance were all very good. Service was attentive and staff were friendly. Most of the food presentation was good except for the chocolate cake. We were celebrating a birthday and the chocolate cake was a bit of a let down without any personal touch; no candle, no Happy Birthday written on the plate or anything. read more

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Food was good. Champagne tasting menu consistently was nearing a spoiled taste. I'd did the high end wine pairing and it wasn't worth the money. Great people, good food, and seemed like the wine suffered from poor provenance. read more

We were so lucky to be able to experience Aubergine right after it won its second star!! It was such a delightful surprise as we had booked it as a one-star originally. We absolutely loved the "surprise" factor in the tasting menu and each dish left us wanting MORE. Just when we thought we had our FAVOURITE dish of the night, we loved the next one even more!!! I also loved the unique experience of being able to talk to some of the chefs. All elements of the dish, even some aspects that get overlooked sometimes (like bread and butter), were made to perfection as if it was also the star of the dish it was accompanying with. The tasting menu was so creative and cohesive!! There was a good range of seafood and meat. We were left feeling so so full! I loved how the menu is centred around seasonal items available in/near Carmel. I thought the melon dish was extremely creative with its use of ice and tomatos - who would think of that?! And how they incorporated tapioca pearls into the fish dish. It was also a unique experience having the chefs (including executive chef Justin himself) come out and finish serving the dishes to us - e.g. pouring the final sauces, adding the final caviar, explaining what the dishes were. I loved being able to see some of the creative minds behind the food!!! The dessert portion was also really uniquely balanced with pastry, heavy and lightness. Since it was a birthday celebration, they gave us a chocolate mousse cake with gold flakes. This was the first restaurant where they also gave us a homemade chocolate bar as a parting gift. TBH, it was only ok. This restaurant has a thickkkkkkkkkk drinks menu. I loved how they had a range of beverage tasting, with different price points. We went with the reserve tasting and felt that it was very nicely curated. Especially the first tasting with the welcome box. The sake truly evolved after each bite. I also loved how the pours weren't too big. I felt that the pourings were the perfect amount where I didn't get too drunk to stay present. The service was amazing. All the staff worked in unison and it was exactly what I expected at a restaurant of this caliber. I loved their attention to detail and really appreciated how they matched the dining room decorations to the ocean which I assume is a homage to Carmel. The plates and dishes also reminded me of the sea with some of the plates resembling an oyster shell. Overall, it was a great experience dining at Aubergine!!! I would want to come back during a different season to do what other creative innovative dishes they can produce. read more

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Truly an incredible dining experience. Every course beautifully presented, artistically arranged and beyond delicious. Service impeccable, knowledgeable staff and outstanding chef! . read more

One of the top 5 restaurants I've ever eaten at, Aubergine combined expertly crafted dishes, excellent service, and a delightful wine pairing into an intimate dining experience for for the best celebrations in your life. The theme of the menu when we visited was "surprise" and we found the menu to be entirely that. The thrice seared A5 miyazaki wagyu took the show for my wife and I, followed closely by the duck breast and confit. Aubergine is delightfully appointed, comfortable, quiet and intimate. If you have a chance to enjoy a meal here odds of disappointment are very low. read more

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Just look most everyone who has reviewed Aubergine, I give it 5 shining stars! We came here for our wedding night dinner (we eloped) and it was the most magical experience. From the moment we pulled up, our car doors were opened, we were escorted up and met with the friendliest experience ever. The staff truly anticipated every need we had. The ambiance is amazing--a little courtyard adorned with romantic lighting and heaters for the cold. As for the food--I have no words. We went with the sommelier pairing and I thought it was super worth it! The tasting menu was incredible and we truly enjoyed every single thing. My favorite part of all was that the chefs would come out and explain each dish--this was something I hadn't experienced at other Michelin star restaurants before. I would 100% go back and would absolutely recommend! read more

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I expected more from a Michelin 2 star restaurant. Not sure why it has 2 stars rather than 1. The good first. All of the food was very good. The amuse bouche was spectacular looking. The presentation for all of the courses was lovely. The 3 seafood courses were tasty. The duck breast was excellent. The brioche was delicious. Waygu beef was good. The let down was the dessert. They said 2 dessert courses. One was just a sorbet palette cleanser, does not seem like a dessert course. The main dessert was corn ice cream. I'm sorry but that was a total let down for dessert. The room is nice, though simple. It is very small only 5 tables. Service was a let down. We arrived early, and were asked to wait in the lounge. We waited 15-20 minutes and no one came to take a drink order. We finally asked for someone. She came by and said that they were busy. No apology. I don't expect that kind of attitude. It's a Michelin spot, I expect much more attentive service. read more

Aubergine - Corn ice cream - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Absolutely stunning meal. Each dish was beautifully presented, with each component thoughtfully placed for the perfect balance of flavor and texture. Highlights for us were kaluga caviar with tomato, fermented potato, and cucumber; the kinmedai with iberico, chawanmushi, and corn; and the shiro dashi and Hokkaido scallop with carrot and smoked trout roe. Servers were very attentive, friendly, professional, and accommodating for food restrictions. We left very impressed and questioning why they only had one Michelin star - the second star they have since received is well deserved! read more

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For our first wedding anniversary, my wife and I wanted to celebrate somewhere truly special. When we discovered this Michelin-starred gem nestled within a beloved historic hotel, we immediately made reservations for both our stay and dinner! The hotel felt very elegant while preserving its original charm. Aubergine, tucked away in a cozy corner of the hotel, offers an interior design that diverges from the hotel's ambiance, leaning towards nautical and aquatic motifs that beautifully reflect the city's character and the seafood-centric cuisine. We arrived right on time for our reservation and were seated at the last available table. It was clear that other parties had also reserved that evening; some who arrived after us were seated outside, where the hotel's complimentary breakfast is served. Our 7-course dinner was a culinary journey, and I made an effort to remember each dish as it was served. Here's what we had: Course 1 (Appetizers): Mini Seafood Bites Assortment Course 2: Asparagus Ice & Asparagus Cream, Last Year's Miso Cream, Scallions and Caviar Course 3: Golden Eye Snapper with Celery Juice, Pickled Radish, Blackened Garlic, Mushroom Shoots, and Scallion Sauce Course 4: Brioche with Browned Butter, Carrots and Carrot Shoots, Dungeness Crab, and Tapioca Pearls with White Soy Cream Course 5: Lamb Rack encrusted in Pistachios finished with Lamb Au jus with Pickled Mustard Seed, Lettuce Bloom with Kohlrabi and Strawberries, and Lamb Puff with Caviar Course 6 (Main Dish): Wagyu Beef Ribeye with Wagyu De jus Sauce, Onion with Fava Bean Paste inside topped with Forget-me-nots, Radish, Onion Flowers, Mushroom Puree, and White Rice with Onions Mixed in House-made Sourdough Bread with Butter and Brown Rice toppings Course 7 (Dessert): Olive Oil & Basil Cake with Lemon Curd Filling, served with White Chocolate Ganache, Strawberry Purée, Fresh Strawberries & Dehydrated Strawberries, Strawberry Glass, and Dehydrated Basil, Dark Chocolate Truffle with Huckleberry Ganache, Mochi Donut with Rhubarb Glaze, and Mini Ice Cream I thoroughly enjoyed every dish and left the restaurant completely satisfied. My wife, who isn't particularly fond of seafood, was accommodated with substitutions for the seafood dishes, which she absolutely appreciated. To top it off, we were surprised with a complimentary celebratory dessert--chocolate mousse topped with chocolate ganache and edible gold--which was absolutely delicious and a perfect ending to the meal. The service was outstanding from start to finish. The staff were attentive, professional, and passionate about their craft. They patiently answered my questions about some of the ingredients and were very helpful in making us understand how to consume them properly. Chef Justin even made an appearance to personally serve one of our dishes, which we found to be a thoughtful touch. Though our interaction with him was brief, it added to the overall experience, and we appreciated the gesture. Overall, our experience at Aubergine was one we will cherish forever. The intimate, romantic atmosphere, coupled with the exquisite food and top-tier service, made our anniversary celebration unforgettable! We're so glad we chose to celebrate here and will hold these memories dear for years to come. read more

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Perfection. Outstanding service. The steak frites melts in your mouth. Extensive wine list.

Be prepared- when you are sitting at your $275 per person meal, you'll be solicited for an up charge of Wagyu and given a price of $55 and told you'll get 2 pcs per person. The impression you get is that you're charged $55 but what they mean is it is $55 a BITE and you get 4 bites in an order. That's $220 added to your dinner. Did it taste good? Just as good as the wagyu I had at a chain restaurant I visited recently (for a fraction of the cost). Is the sales tactic pushy and misleading? yes. And that is poor business etiquette and no way to treat your patrons. read more