This may not be a fair review given we didn't make it to the restaurant. Hear me out please; based on my conversation with the Mgr, Heath he is a pretentious righteous jerk and if he's managing and training the staff I can only imagine. My family and I have eaten at several Michelin restaurants. We decided to take a mini vacation in Carmel and to celebrate our anniversary my husband and I decided to make a reservation here. I made the reservation on open table on 11/3 for 11/26 . Once you make it you cannot cancel it even though they allow you a 24 hour cancellation without charging you $145 pp. We get to Carmel 3 days before the dinner reservation. We check in out hotel which was disappointing. We spend $1000 at Bernardus for a decent thanksgiving dinner. Anyway the reason I tell you where we stayed and where we've eaten is because the next few days my throat feels itchy and I start to sneeze a lot. During the the last few days I had been relaxed on wearing my mask even indoor as it was not mandatory here. I was a bit worried but then maybe it's allergies? So after thanksgiving I tell my husband I want to go home and we call Aubergine at 9:30 am. He calls and explain the situation to Sarah and she tells us she needs to talk with mgt or the chef and she will call us back. She re-explains the $145 pp cancellation fee which is substantial but yes I knew it and we told her well we minus well go if she cannot get it cancelled without the fee. About an hour later. We get an email from open table that our reservation was canceled. I check my cc to see if it was charged and there was no pending transactions or approved charges and I check open table abs I see no history of the restaurant. I also check to try and make a new reservation and see nothing available for today. So we assume it was cancelled and someone else took it already as we couldn't cancel it in the tool since the first I day I made the reservation. We made our plans according to this cancellation at around 10am and decide to leave as I start to still worry about my symptoms. At 3pm we get call that they cannot cancel and it goes downhill. We explain the situation and basically our reasoning is because we received a cancellation email at 10am and no charges that Sarah was able to cancel it without a fee. Why call us 6 hours later? We had made our plans according to that? In addition I really didn't want to ge sneaking constantly at place like that. Heath further gets into a discussion that Sarah reinstated the reservation and we will get charged if we don't show up or if they don't get someone to take. We never received a notification that the reservation was reinstated nor do we see it in our open table account as an upcoming reservation. See pictures and notice the time stamps. So if it was reinstated fir us why do we not get an email from open table? Nor do we see it in our open table account? Heath continues to argue and tell us that he will send us pictures on the reinstatement. At the end and after about 30-40 min of arguing he says they worked it out and found someone and won't charge us but he would email me the pictures if the event timeline and the proof of the reinstatement. Now I know that I requested to cancel less than 24hrs. But I wasn't doubt it just because I changed my mind. First it was our anniversary and I wasn't feeling 100% and should I be thoughtful of other people if my symptoms are not allergies? Do I even want to be in place like that sneeze constantly especially in these times? What irked me is that Heath was so righteous, and completely ignored the fact we received a cancellation email and nothing else. Honestly I do think they were just giving grief for cancelling which I can understand but didn't expect that fir this caliber of a restaurant; if we didn't receive the cancellation email, I would have agreed we may have deserved the grief even if I was partly canceling of true symptoms and partly because I didn't want to not enjoy this meal while sneezing. Again If the event turned out where we didn't receive a cancellation email and we got a phone call with a reasonable time (is 1-2 hours reasonable? Not 6 hours later?) then we would have been reasonable that we may have to pay the fee or just suck it up, eat and regardless how I physically felt, keep my mask on if I didn't want to feel guilty of potentially spreading something. read more

Aubergine - Cancellation email from open table - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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This is an amazing experience. Aubergine is a one Michelin star restaurant located in L'Auberge Hotel in the heart of Carmel. We enjoyed the eight course menu with the wine pairing. Each serving was a work of art and delicious. I have food allergies and still had a fabulous experience being able to try each course presented. We were treated wonderfully by the wait service, sommeliers and the sous chiefs would come and share how they created the food. The menu is changed daily for the freshest and in season items available. Recommend sitting in the intimate courtyard under the twinkling lights for a romantic experience. The hotel is also beautiful with antiques and lots of history in true Carmel style read more

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Amazing! From start to finish. The service was impeccable and the wine pairings were perfect. It's a cute little space and very calming inside. We loved our dining experience and have gifted and recommended Aubergine to friends who visit the area. read more

Amazing. Had a memorable anniversary dinner there. Beautiful, insane food. Excellent service. We will be back! read more

Rating says it all. You'll likely have a different meal than my wife and I had based on what they rotate in and out. But it was nothing short of excellent. read more

The food was inventive and delicious. Chef Justin Cogley hit it out of the park with the halibut and dashi sauce as well as the Waygu beef with cherry gastric. His corn pudding served in small vessels made with pearl onions was phenomenal. Socially distanced fine dining at its best. It was a romantic and classy setting. Great ambience. We had the tasting menu with the Grand Reserve Pairing. For people who find fine dining intimidating, the atmosphere was really relaxed and all about the food. The staff were knowledgeable about the food and made us feel very comfortable. One of the best dining experiences we have had. read more

Aubergine - Halibut with dashi and fava bean broth. - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Horrifically Unimpressive ! They say Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. From the lacluster performance of this supposed 5 Star hotel acting more like a Holiday Inn for their breakfast you'd wonder if they have ever been to France. No fresh Anything herein. NONE ! Dry eggs that make left over Holiday Inn egg trays under heat lamp far more desirable than what was dishedbout herein. Juice - not fresh squeezed but distinctly carton. Left out butter that resembles convention center mass creations. Melted ice water where crisp ice should be. No fresh baked croissants, rolls, pastries of any kind. No fresh scent of coffee. Are you sure you are French ? Im not sure what these guys were thinking when they phoned in that laconic presentation but usually dining at a high end hotel /restaurant has far better features. I frequently dine at the Hyatt Highlands for breakfast and it more or less is Rolls Royce. I thought id mix things up a little and try this supposed competition whose breakfast is something in between Holiday Inn and a hospital cafeteria. Have some class. At least bake a croissant. Try squeezing juice. Dont put out nice ornate butter in your photos and ridiculous convention center versions of it just sitting there on the tables collecting dust. Have some ice water. Where did your French-ness go ? Definitley not here - not in the mornings. Your talent must be sleeping in. Im not sure whats going on here but if you would have told me Holiday Inn changed the name outside to Aubergine it would make far more sense. Yeah you do serve breakfast - just like the Hyatt does. But unlike the Hyatt Aubergine breakfast is an embarrassment to its French heritage. I have never been so disappointed by a hotel breakfast as poor as this. Solid one star. Well deserved. If everything else at Aubergjne is as phoned in as their laconic breakfast then this hotel is not anything worth visiting - for anything. Aubergine - you are an embarrassment. Go to the Hyatt nearby and learn the basics. Its very obvious you do not know the basics of quality and care. There is nothing French in your breakfast. You are content to be mediocre, at best. In as such you should really consider changing your name from Aubergine to Abby's. read more

Aubergine - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

Wow, came here with a friend and have to say that we both thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely should be in consideration for a 2 star since this was definitely well worth it. The ambiance here was great, cozy but romantic with a nice waiting area once you come in. It is smaller than it looks from the outside and the food was amazing! Everything was well thought out and the flavors were fresh. Definitely co.ing back here again! read more

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What an amazing experience from start to finish! We chose the wine pairing and loved every dish. The service was impeccable. Look forward to returning one day! read more

Aubergine - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Came in for the 8-course dinner tasting menu while on a mini-vacation in Carmel. Right from the start, it was a letdown. The seating is in the courtyard of the hotel, where guests go back and forth between the table throughout the meal. We came during a cold evening in March, so it was quite chilly, even with the heat lamps. The savory courses were probably the most disappointing part. Every dish was over seasoned with sea salt, you could barely taste the other notes from the dishes, which is a pity because there definitely were some interesting flavors hidden behind the overwhelming salt. We also opted for the Wagyu add on. The quality of the Wagyu was good, so it had the expected melt in your mouth feel. However, it was so poorly seasoned, I could hardly taste the umami over the salt. Recommend skipping the Wagyu option, if offered. The textures of the dishes were passable, I especially appreciated the roasted quinoa accent. The breads were also soft and buttery, a highlight. Presentation was also artistic and had local flavor. The remaining stars are entirely for the patisserie. The dessert courses were perfect. After a heavy meal, the first dessert course, consisting of a light gelato with fruit, was highly welcome. Each dish was beautifully presented and had distinct yet complementary flavors. read more

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While for the price, it's hard to imagine Aubergine being anything less than real good, it failed to live up to the expectations I had of a restaurant in this price range and doesn't seem like the sort of place that could justify its price ($185) in a more competitive market. The nine course tasting menu was filled with safe but pleasurable dishes reminiscent of many other fine dining establishments. For my taste, that's not necessarily a bad choice (Addison in San Diego pulls this off perfectly), but too many of the dishes lacked interesting contrasts or just a strong punch of flavor that make your taste buds melt. None of the dishes totally missed the mark, but none were much better than I would have expected. And compared to other similar tasting menus, I think the portions were too scant. Some dishes would have been more satisfying with a few more bites and the overall meal left us somewhat unsatisfied (we went to Wild Fish afterwards for a small second dinner). Highlights include the rich uni sweet potato cake, the tangy yuzu oyster, the chicken & morel (though this definitely should have been more than one bite) and the strawberry millefeuille. The beautiful lobster dish was still a too familiar combination of lobster (an overrated meat IMO) and a buttery sauce. The ribeye was very tasty on its own, but the accompanying kohlrabi didn't do enough to make this final savory course really memorable. The final chocolate dish was the same rich but boring slice of dark fudgey-ness found in too many tasting menu desserts, though the accompanying hot chocolate was more enjoyable. Service was great and the space is very nice and it's still the best restaurant on the central coast, but not worth the price when compared to other restaurants in its price range in the bay area. read more

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By and large the best meal I've had in my entire life (including a meal at The French Laundry). I have no idea how the chef does it but he curated a meal for us that didn't lose any of its flavor despite our food allergies/restrictions. And that, my friends, is true mastery. Add the impeccable service to the equation and you feel like you're experiencing a symphony of flavors in the most cozy, well-organized environment possible. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime kind of dinner. read more

Awesome and sublime food. Outstanding service friendly and attentive. Wonderful cocktails. The exit strategy was well balanced. The duck course and ribeye with the wagyu upgrade were amazing. read more

Aubergine - Duck breast and duck confit. - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

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Came here for my special birthday weekend. I was a little surprised by how tiny it was, and at first it seemed a bit pretentious, but in the end it turned out to be a good pick. I'm embarassed to say I waited so long to review it that I don't remember much detail. We got the prix fixe 4 course. I did take pix though -, Overall experience from memory was A-. I will not wait this long again! With two glasses of wine (they gave great recommendations) up charge for the cheese cart, tax and tip, it was just under $350 for the two of us read more

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High prices for samples of food. Parking can be tough so use the valet. A very small restaurant, but nice decor, understated. I made the mistake of not eating anything all day so I'd work up an appetite for this dinner. We arrived about 10 minutes before our reservation time and were seated in the bar area to wait. I noticed those that came in after 6 were seated right away so I suggest arriving 5-10 minutes late. They had a 4 course tasting menu printed "just for us", and also a kind of grocery list on a long sheet next to the knife: whey, cow's milk, yogurt, carrot, corn, seaweed, ribeye, etc...some of the ingredients the chef would use in his 8 course "Spontaneous tasting menu" for $125/person. They wouldn't tell us what any of the courses would be, only that those items would be used in preparing our meal. We opted for the 4 course dinner and had a choice of: 1. Gazpacho OR Carrots, sheep's milk yogurt and exotic spices 2. Eggplant steamed in seaweed, rice bran, sesame OR Diver scallop, lemon balm 3. Young chicken, grapes, fermented leek OR King salmon, herbs, pineapple weed OR Monterey bay abalone (additional $40) 4. Sheep's milk yogurt bavarois, peaches, sable OR smoked milk chocolate, corn raspberry We started with a shot of a green tea mixture with a salty foam courtesy of the house. I don't think it was meant to taste good, only to whet our palate. Then a seaweed chip in a shell, quail eggs on a bed of green moss and fried potato strings looking like little nests on stones (see photo) each one bite, all brought out together. Next was the beautiful thinly sliced carrots with exotic spices, but my first bite reminded me of a kind of baby food, strained carrots, with something off. I couldn't eat more. The scallop came next in its shell. Take off the lid and there's one good sized scallop with a teaspoon of lemon balm and a more generous portion of yummy salty roe swimming in a luke warm liquid of it's own juices. Then salmon, equally as beautiful, and my 4 bites were perfectly cooked and tasted okay. I'm sorry to say, I cook better salmon. I use an apple wood tray in the BBQ, top it with a dusting of sugar for a nice crust and serve it with a bit of wasabi and candied lemon rind. Dessert was a smoky chocolate mouse but had fried corn husk on top. Although I removed most of the husk a small piece made it into my mouth and felt like a hair. The texture was disgusting : P I had a glass of wine, my husband had 2, and our check came to almost $600. My husband had what they called a kind of Kobe beef at an up charge of $32/ounce. (We all know there is no longer "kobe" here in the states. They didn't put it on the menu, maybe they don't know what to call it, but we know we overpaid for faux-be beef) However it was the best dish of the night. Perfectly prepared, wrapped in seaweed for seasoned saltiness. Another memorable bite was the butter. Served at the perfect temperature, melted and coated right away - lovely mouth feel. The thing is, when an establishment charges atmospheric prices for dinner, as much if not more than Jean George or Charlie Trotters, the food has to be generously proportioned, nicely presented and taste amazing. The proportions are really skimpy. Horribly skimpy. You leave still hungry. The presentation is beautiful but at times I felt that taste was sacrificed - some of the flower stems didn't taste good and the fried corn husk (great it can be done, but why?) was nasty. And many times I had to guess at what it was I was biting into, which is NEVER fun. I spent too much time wondering what I was eating rather than just enjoying. No one, says "This is the best freeze dried pineapple, sheep's milk, bass skin, johnny jump up puree I've ever had". I think too many are just afraid to call them out. Complaints on this site that timing of each course was an issue, and we didn't have that problem. Dishes came out one after another and we finished in under 2 hours. Service was good. We flagged a server for one more glass of wine when the entree came and asked for more bread, (please, I'm hungry!) but otherwise very attentive. Personally, I would not go back. Nothing outstanding enough to get me back in and I like to eat what I'm in the mood to eat, not what the chef feels like cooking because of the mood he's in. I get the "farm to table" trend but let's face it, a good chef has access to an enormous array of great, fresh food here in California and if he really cares about customers, have a couple of standards on the menu (steak, halibut, duck, etc. organic and hormone free are always available) don't let us leave hungry. We got home and ate leftover lamb from our Dametra's dinner the night before followed up with some salty carmel chip McConnell's ice cream and feeling like we got taken. read more

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Quiet and quaint luxury in downtown Carmel. This was not my first choice for dinner, but it ended up being a complete surprise. There isn't much of a view from the restaurant, but it's completely warm and inviting. Love the lounge with the fireplace. Supplements for the evening were cheese and A5, which are to be enjoyed by the entire table. $32/oz., minimum 4 ounces. I cannot stress how much better the A5 was from the rib eye. No comparison. Fatty flavor crystals bursting in our mouth. The nori wrapping the medallions gave it that extra umami. They bring out the slab prior to cooking to show all the marbling. The ONLY improvement for 1/3 amuse bouche, the salt baked turnip absorbed way to much salt and was overly so. Extra special: the avocado course, fresh, creamy and utterly decadent. The fried ayu with the strawberry was unexpected and worked. The juxtaposition of the abalone with abalone mushroom, I preferred the shroom. Buttery and so smooth. Dessert, honey tuille, goat cheese, pistachios, huckleberries and figs, light, but still indulgent. The meal comes with two bread courses, cheddar brioche and a wheat bread. Both spectacular, though the wheat edges out the cheesy a bit. The sommeliers selections for the reserve pairing were delightful with the courses and pours were generous. Most were French. The classic pairing is mainly domestic. Would have been nice to have a smidgen of champagne to start the evening. Excellent service and kitchen tours are given without prompting at the end of the meal. Beautiful meal and will impress all. read more

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Aubergine is a small restaurant located in a nice hotel offering a creative tasting menu featuring local ingredients. The menu is set each night, and you can always upgrade items. Its great that they call you a few days in advance to ask about food allergies or dislikes. Service and food was amazing! The dozen or so entrees definitely had strong Japanese influences, with lots of seaweed and ingredients like Uni, Wagyu, Ayu, etc. Despite each dish being bite-sized, we found ourselves quite full at the end of the meal. Some of our favorites of the evening were: Abalone - Super tender and nearly melts in your mouth! The chef cooks it sous vide at 60C for 30 mins. Isothermal for nerds . Hokkaido A5 Wagyu - Well worth giving up the rib eye and forking over an extra $32/oz for this upgrade. Cooked medium rare, its unlike any beef we've ever had - almost borderline sashimi like. Minimum 4oz. Ayu - Sweet Fish was like a small fried smelt and was perfectly seasoned. Milk-Fed Suckling Pig - Similar to Chinese roast pork but super tender and flavorful from the saffron broth. Desserts were all amazing as well - good contrast between tart and sweet. If that's not enough they throw in cookies to go! Aubergine is definitely a restaurant worth coming back to - the menu changes frequently even with common set of ingredients. So far, this is one of the priciest restaurants we've been to - a bit more than $300/pp including tip and wines by the glass. Good value and service for the price though! read more

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Among the three or four best meals I've had -- we love to dine out at home and when we travel both domestically and internationally, including trying a number of Michelin star restaurants. The meal is prix fixe and is selected by the chef -- I don't even know what some of the ingredients were in some of the courses but the tastes and presentations were excellent. We added a wine pairing with our meal.. The atmosphere and service are impeccable -- I will go back every time we visit Carmel. As a final note -- it's not cheap -- if you do the wine pairing you'll be somewhere north of $1,000 for two but it's worth every penny. read more

Came here for a Sunday night dinner date with my partner. The tasting menu was delicious but we were mostly impressed with their top notch service and wine pairings! So good! read more

Aubergine - Dessert course - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

I can't comment about the food since we were never seated despite having made a reservation four months in advance. We arrived on time for an early reservation (5:15) due to jet lag but were informed all the tables were taken. They tried to seat us at the bar which was also a hallway for the hotel. It was over 80 degrees din the bar due to a roaring fire and the setting sun in the windows, plus it was noisy. We were offered a table in the wine cellar alone as an alternative. We declined and left, having a disappointing meal elsewhere. What kind of place (over $500 for two before wine and tip) books more reservations than they have tables? I have been to several Michelin starred restaurants and have never been treated anything like this. My advice if you insist on going is to arrive 30 min before your reservation so maybe you will get a seat. read more

What an amazing experience! We did the chef's tasting menu with wine pairings and added a supplemental wagyu beef course. Before we get to the food, I want to say that the service here is truly top notch - hands down one of the best dining experiences we've ever had and certainly not to be missed! The chef's tasting menu was a journey through locally sourced ingredients highlighting the chef's creativity and precision. The elements of each dish worked in harmony and truly resulted in flavors that were greater than the sum of the parts. More importantly, there was a logical and purposeful flow in the tasting menu - subtle flavors were not drowned out or muddied by elements of a previous dish. Bravo chef! read more

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On par with other Michelin restaurants I have been to. Definately one star, but not sure it is 2 or 3 stars. Some of the dishes were EXCELLENT, other just very good. Ambiance is much better since they remodeled, and the service staff is great. Be prepared to open your wallet, $1,200 for two, included a $150 bottle of wine. Personally, I would skip the pairing only because it is sort of intrusive on enjoyment of the meal. And, with a huge wine selection, you can find a great bottle of wine in the $150 to $500 range. We will be back. Much better than Chez Noir, which also has a star. Hard to get reservations so book weeks ahead. read more

This restaurant is not for the faint of heart or shallow of stomach! We opted for the chefs tasting menu and were not disappointed. This is not the place to go if you are a picky eater or are not adventurous. However, if you're a true foodie at heart and have a discerning palette - you will not be disappointed. From the moment we walked in the door, we were greeted with warm smiles and were attended to well during our 3 hours / 13 courses there! It was truly an experience...each dish tastier then the last. My favorites - no surprise - potatoes w/nori, cheeses, wines and dessert. But, that's me. My foodie friends had a true appreciation for the finer dishes like fois grois, barnacles and or oysters with caviar. Food - delicious Staff - pleasant Ambiance - fine dining establishment, intimate read more

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Experience / Service We were here to for a surprise birthday dinner and I must say that I had a blast! The dinning room was private and quite, with a stunning back yard next to it. Dinner courses was not served in order from the menu to create the "surprise". Chef Justin Cogley served us a few courses himself while explaining the ingredients. The combination he made was super creative and new to me, very impressive! Serving timing was great and the dinner took around 2.5 hours. Pricing Dinner for two with wine pairing was $1000, tax included. With this romantic environment located in Carmel and heart warming service, I'd say it's worth the price. :D Food The 13 courses dinner was beautiful! My favorite would be the lobster dish and oolong mushroom tea with seaweed. Wine pairing was excellent except their ice wine wasn't from Canada. read more

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Aubergine is more than a great restaurant in one of the greatest towns. It was the restaurant my fiancé took me took right after proposing. They were accommodating, food was great, and the servers were great as well. From the moment we walked in the ambiance was calm and soothing. Each course was delightful and beautiful. You can tell a lot of thought went into it and the courses flowed well. I'm not a local but do assume the menu is based on what's in season. A definite place to stop by if you're visiting. read more

Aubergine - Just a preview - New American Near Me - Carmel, California

Omg. We went there for their fix menu of 8 course meal and reserved Wine pairing. Loved every dish and the presentation. The chef came over twice, when pouring the truffle sauce on our Wagyu. :) so we got to meet him in person which was super cool. This place has a fantastic Wine list. They have a big wine book to choose from. I was so impressed with their selection, specially great selection from France which made my day to see that they had that. They served everything from France as part of their reserved wine pairing which was another highlight of our meal. We truly enjoyed our food there and will definitely go back soon. What a gem! You literally think you're in Europe. read more

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We dined at Aubergine recently for a special occasion, and it was an incredible experience. Each course, of the 8 courses we were served, were delicious and masterfully prepared, and the chef and staff were even able to accommodate my spouse's dietary restrictions. The menu changes frequently, and is often based on local and foraged ingredients. Our meal included an amuse bouche, oysters and tuna course, caviar with an almond and cream dish, a piece of wild cod with foraged wild mushrooms, an abalone dish, a lamb dish, beef with a side of egg and onion, a desert of chocolate truffle, honey, and bee pollen, another finishing course with a mini chocolate pastry and a financier. We also elected to order the Wagyu which was prepared perfectly and of course, was melt in your mouth. The staff was attentive and the wine pairings were perfect. Special shoutout to the bartender who created non alcoholic mocktails to pair with some of the courses. All were outstanding and perfect complements to the dishes they were paired with. We can't wait to revisit. Thank you chef and staff for a wonderful meal and evening. A creative and exquisite meal like this is similar to a work of art or piece of amazing music. You will not regret visiting Aubergine and experiencing a meal here. read more

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Love this place and will come here again for sure. Everything was good and the dining experience was intimate and romantic. It seems like a sports coat and dark jeans is the least casual; all the middle age women wore dresses and older women wore fancy slacks and a blouse. For $150pp plus the wine pairing I enjoyed the service and food as that night it was on point despite some Of the reviews. I actually thought the dining experience was way better here compared to french laundry and would much rather drop $700 here. read more

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Had a birthday dinner here, and I'm overall happy with my experience. My partner and I waited to be seated for 16 minutes, which is not great for a restaurant of this standing. I'd never had to wait this long at any other fancy restaurant, especially one with a Michelin star. The FOOD is Japanese inspired, and I love Japanese cuisine, so I really enjoyed all the (mostly seafood-based) dishes. The wagyu was also incredible. I can however see why the other reviewers complain about the food being too salty. Since many of the dishes also have caviar involved, the dishes overall do taste salty. I like salty, so it didn't bother me. It was also nice of the chef to approach the tables with his signature albacore dish that had a really nice, fresh green sauce to go with--it was absolutely delicious. I also loved the desserts, as well as the little to-go desserts they surprise the customers with upon leaving. The wine pairing --incredible. The sommeliers there know what they're doing. Thank you to the chef for accommodating a rare onion intolerance and for putting together a different menu for my partner. We really appreciate it. If this weren't the case, I'd give the restaurant 4 stars. read more

It is unfortunate that my experience at Aubergine was not well received. I, nor my party, will be coming back. The restaurant is quaint, simple, and clean. We were greeted by friendly staff when we arrived. A sommelier discussed the wine list with us shortly after we were seated. He spoke quickly about various options. I could barely comprehend what he was saying because he spoke so quickly. It felt as if he would keep blurting out options until we made a decision on the spot. A member of our party had to inform him that we would take a look at the menu and let him know. The meal was good overall. However, it wasn't mind blowing and didn't have exciting flavors. Everything tasted as you would expect. There weren't any dishes that particularly stood out. The only thing that stood out was the that the dishes were well plated. After the meal, we paid, signed the receipts, and had no issues. Staff called us back about 30 minutes after our meal. They informed us that their computer system shut down and the credit cards were not charged. I find this odd considering we signed receipts. Nonetheless, I asked if they could charge my credit card that was used to make the reservation. I was informed that they cannot charge the credit card through the phone and they don't save credit card numbers. They informed me that we would need to submit the credit card authorization forms. I agreed and provided them my email address so they could send me the form. We received multiple phone calls and an email asking us to return the authorization forms ASAP. Understandably, my colleague and I did so and returned the forms once we had a chance to scan them in and email them. Upon reviewing my credit card statement, I learned that they did not charge the credit card I listed on the credit card authorization form. Instead, they charged the credit card which was saved on file from my reservation. I emailed staff to discuss why the wrong credit card was charged. Staff called me back and claimed that they tried but it was declined and they tried to call both my husband and I but neither phone number did not work. Both of our cellphones were working and neither of us received a phone call. I find it odd that the claimed the phone number didn't work, when they had previously called me at least twice on my cellphone to request the credit card authorization form. They also failed to email us. Staff claimed they didn't have access to our email addresses even though they had both my and my husband's email addresses (even written on the credit card authorization form) and had been previously in communication with us via email. Staff apologized and said he would speak to the CEO about this situation to see how to best fix our experience. 3 weeks has gone by and we haven't heard back from the restaurant staff. I even sent a follow-up email last week. The staff is novice. There are clearly issues they need to work out with staffing. The meal was not noteworthy. Given the poor service, we will not be coming back. The fancying plating doesn't justify the cost. read more

Whoa. Just whoa. Plating. Flavors. Decor. Service. Wine list. Carmel's own little Michelin gem.

I can scarcely imagine a better gastronomic experience. The 8 course tasting menu is simply divine, with locally sources fresh-as-can-be ingredients, and subtle asian flourishes embellishing top notch new American farm to table. Service was impeccable, including introductions by the head chef and sous chef. The wine pairings were inventive and consistently on point. They deserve at least another Michelin star imho. read more

Why is this restaurant only one Michelin star? One of the most under rated Michelin one star restaurants. Food was exquisite and service was superb. read more

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The best tasting course I've ever been to, all food was on point, left full and wine pairing & service was on point. We sat in the courtyard which added to the ambiance. read more

I've been meaning to write a review about this place. We went here last December. The service and food was top notch. Wonderful staff and delicious dishes. The restaurant is intimate but not stuffy. Highly recommend for anyone celebrating -an anniversary. read more

Aubergine would be worthy of a Michelin star and is a standout even in a town full of excellent dining options. It's too bad this area of the bay area doesn't get coverage. While it's a bit pricey (but within ballpark of the quality experience you'd expect), this place manages to deliver some surprises. The menu changes frequently but I will highlight a few standout dishes. First the presentation of an oyster in shell tied in rope was unique and was delicious with the caviar. The edamame bean with morel mushrooms and a butter sauce was phenomenal. The abalone and cabbage was stellar. I never had stuff like that before The one dish that was disappointing for the night was the ribeye which was wrapped with nori seaweed. I found it part of a larger trend to prepare steak this way now and the seaweed actually was more difficult to cut/eat than other preparations I've seen. Note that you can just order tap water (didn't realize that when presented options and charged quite a bit later for some still bottle water. It was a little confusing cause the bottle wasn't any obvious brand to denote its source so we assumed it was just tap). Service was stellar. The atmosphere is intimate and romantic. I think for special occasions or if you're just looking for a high end Michelin type meal, this is a fine option. read more

This place took us on a culinary adventure. The food and service here were excellent. The interior maybe needs a little updating.

Definitely earned the Michelin Star. Ive had a lot of tasting menus and they don't always deliver. Aubergine has a great balance of artistry, local ingredients and incredible flavors. Every dish is well thought out and nothing is extraneous. There is no flourish or embellishment. Something as simple as a stalk of local asparagus is cooked and presented perfectly. And of course the seafood is perfect and the desserts sublime. We had lots of delicious mocktails along with our menu and they were all fantastic. (If you don't drink they have you thoughtfully covered). read more

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You know the old adage: "The way to a man's heart is his stomach"? I beg to differ. It's more like "The way to a WOman's heart is her stomach". Hello, Mr. wine and dine me! I didn't forget about you, fellas. The way to your heart? Pole assaulting! Or more "romantically" put: polishing the love knob. *Giggles* Mr. Hello, wine and dine me (Mr. NSS) celebrated our anniversary at Aubergine which he impressively planned all by himself. He left no details unturned, and reserved a table so we could sit side-by-side and even had red roses delivered to the restaurant. Can you believe he didn't know what opentable.com was 2 years ago? I'm not kidding. If you're looking for an intimate, special occasion restaurant than look no further than Aubergine which is tucked inside the L'Auberge Carmel, a very charming boutique hotel. Aubergine serves Nouvelle American Cuisine and I found it to be a mélange of Atelier Crenn, Manresa, and Saison; all two-Michelin starred restaurants which I loved. There's 2 menus available: 5-course menu for $110 or an 11-course tasting menu for $145. We went with the latter. Expect to spend 2.5 hours for the tasting menu. ~ * ~ T A S T I N G M E N U ~ * ~ (*courses in tasting menu, **complimentary items) **Amuse bouche: Lemon blueberry fizz: http://bit.ly/1AU7vKu **Amuse bouche: Oyster w/ caviar: http://bit.ly/1pGXRHr *Gazpacho w/ smoked char roe: http://bit.ly/VQBNxS *Local milk w/ uni: http://bit.ly/1sBBu4O *Foie gras torchon w/ local garden vegetables: http://bit.ly/1q4WgeD *Marbled potatoes w/ roasted nori: http://bit.ly/1nCNWOt *Monterey abalone: http://bit.ly/VNsMG4 **Cheddar brioche: http://bit.ly/1q4Wrqa *Lamb w/ beet purée: http://bit.ly/1wCxAyO **Olive oil roll w/ black sesame seeds: http://bit.ly/1vReJfc *Triple seared A5 wagyu from Hokkaido ($33/ounce supplement): http://bit.ly/1nCOGTS *Tasting of cheese w/ morels & chicken jus: http://bit.ly/1tV0p4j **Intermezzo: Olive oil ice cream w/ strawberry jus: http://bit.ly/1p8nqvQ *Japanese rice pudding w/ compressed peaches & buttermilk granita: http://bit.ly/1mRTZ1C *Cherry ice cream w/ chocolate paper: http://bit.ly/1tV0NQ2 **Complimentary chocolate mousse w/ caramel ice cream: http://bit.ly/1leKLky **Complimentary truffles: http://bit.ly/XSjo5J Since the menu changes based on the finest ingredients available, I won't get into the nitty gritty details of every course. I will say that I'm very surprised that Aubergine doesn't hold a Michelin star as each course tasted as intricately beautiful as presented. The pairing of ingredients were harmonious while the flavor profiles were complex yet delicate. My favorite courses of the night were those composed of my favorite food items: the deliciously silky local milk with uni, sinfully decadent foie gras torchon, and luxuriously rich triple seared A5 wagyu. The upgrade to the A5 wagyu is a MUST! It was perfectly seared and the intense marbling was sublime. Do say, YES to the bread! They were so carblicious and if I was carrying a larger handbag I would have thrown them in my bag and asked for more. My mom would have been proud. ~ * ~ S E R V I C E ~ * ~ Service was professional, refined, and well-paced; however, there were some missteps which is why I'm knocking down a star. As we were seated, the sommelier asked if I wanted to start with a glass of bubbly. Umm sure, this girl loves her booze! Only that glass of bubbly he chose was $35/glass. I think a drink menu should have been provided so customers can make an informed decision. He, otherwise choose a great glass of white and red for my other courses which were more appropriately priced in the mid-$20s. Our waiter had asked if we had any food allergies and we told him that Mr. NSS doesn't eat sweets. He said, that the chef always likes a challenge and that they will substitute the sweet courses for savory ones. That NEVER happened. While I understand that certain accommodations can't always be met, there was clearly a lack of communication. Promises shouldn't have been made and we should have at least been told they chef couldn't make the accommodation. Needless to say, I was irritated. ~ * ~ A M B I A N C E / D E C O R ~ * ~ With just 8 tables, Aubergine is a very small and intimate restaurant. The décor is understated and minimalist with calming neutrals and whites. Do request a table to sit side-by-side so you can cop a feel between courses. *wink wink* We were able to take a sneak peek into the kitchen after dinner and met with the chef which was a nice finishing touch. ~ * ~ P A R K I N G ~ * ~ Street parking was easily found. There was a beautiful family from Venezuela dining at Aubergine and they had two very well-behaved daughters that were no more than 7 years old. Like boss, they were devouring each and every course with a smile. Adorbs. Me: "Awww, that's going to be us in about 10 years." Mr. NSS: "Sure, the $1000+ dinner tab is on you, MOMMY!" Damn, $10 bento boxes never sounded SO good... read more

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********************* 1320 ********************** Amazing restaurant runs by the star chef Justin Cogley, the award winning restaurant Aubergine is located at L'Auberge Carmel, a Relais & Châteaux in the heart of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chef Cogley's cuisine showcases the freshest ingredients and his food is balance, expressive, and innovative. The menu served nightly highlights the best ingredients of the season, change often, and no dish is ever alike even if you just come here a few months back. Make it so much more interesting and fascinating to look forward to the new menu each time you return. In 2013,Chef Justin Cogley was awarded the prestigious title of Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux, joining an esteemed list of internationally celebrated chefs and Food & Wine magazine named Justin Cogley "Best New Chef". Shockingly that Michelin Guide doesn't visit this part of town, but if they do, Aubergine will surely deserve a Michelin Star, at least! We did the tasting menu with just about everything plus: - Caviar - Dungeness crab, green strawberry - Oyster, seawater, caviar - Halibut, whey, turnips - Abalone, seaweed, lettuce - Pork, pumpkin seed, saffron - Hokkaido Wagyu Wines list is amazing here by Director of Wine Nathaniel Munoz. He and his sommeliers can assist you with any wines that you neede to pair perfectly with Chef Justin Cogley food .The 12-table Aubergine restaurant features an underground wine cellar constructed beneath the inn's courtyard to house the restaurant's 2,500-bottle collection. The wine list features numerous great wines from around the world with a particular focus on wines from Monterey County and France. This is 1 of the most beautiful places and the best food that I've tried in Monterey, Carmel, and Pebble Beach area. A perfect place to celebrate that special occasion with your loved ones, and you will enjoy it, I guarantee it! read more

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