Aubergine the restaurant at L'Auberge Carmel

"Not gonna lie, I spent an arm and a leg here, but it was worth it to treat my partner and I out on a weekend getaway! I would say expect to spend around $400-$500 for two (without any extras like wine, etc etc.). Everything was solid, but MAN the brioche bread stole the show (trust me, it’s the most amazing bread that I’ve tasted and felt in my mouth. The softness, butteriness, lightness, melt-in-your-mouth-ness is unreal.). My partner and I have been craving the bread ever since! They also gave us a complimentary aubergine/eggplant chocolate to bring home!"

"The food is way above & beyond my expectations. The food is a very great combination between Japanese & French flavoring to me. Many seasoning surprises happen across different dishes, even on the one I thought I suppose to know before. Very impressed by how the chef can create so many layers of flavors in a small dish."

"Over the weekend, my family of three visited my favorite restaurant in Monterey Bay, L'Auberge Carmel. The restaurant's head chef, Justin Cogley, is a fun-loving multi-talented individual. He was born in Chicago and previously served as the Executive Sous Chef at the renowned Elysian Hotel, where he was responsible for opening a new kitchen. Additionally, he is a well-known figure skater. During his time residing in Japan, he became deeply fascinated by Asian culture and learned the techniques and essence of Japanese cuisine. His innovative dishes combine French creativity with the fusion of Japanese influences into modern American cooking. He has received multiple Michelin star ratings and, after joining Aubergine, led the restaurant to receive the Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence and Forbes Travel Guide's top five-star rating. Food & Wine magazine has also named him California's outstanding chef. Our dinner began with fresh oysters accompanied by yuzu sauce and cucumber jelly, which awakened our taste buds with their exquisite flavors. Next, we enjoyed an artful cake filled with blue mussels, honeycomb, and mint, creating a perfect combination. We also tasted sea urchin paired with sweet soy sauce and potatoes, offering a truly unique flavor. In addition to these dishes, we indulged in fresh tomatoes with lemon thyme and caviar, as well as sardines with a lemon-infused taste and trout roe. The dining experience lasted for a total of 2.5 hours, during which we immersed ourselves in the presentation of Japanese sushi served in a jewelry box, as well as lobster infused with creative soup. A few glasses of wine accompanied the meal, and time flew by. The restaurant is also known for its extensive wine cellar, housing over 3,500 bottles of top-quality wines from around the world. We opted for the Reserve Wine Pairing, which offered unique and lesser-known boutique wines that perfectly complemented each dish. It's worth noting that the tasting consisted of 8 rounds, with the first round featuring Japanese sake, followed by 7 rounds of various wines, including mixed drinks. The portions were quite generous, so those with lower alcohol tolerance should proceed with caution. As for the cost of the meal, the Tasting Menu for two adults was priced at $265 per person, and the Reserve Wine Pairing was an additional $250 per person. Additionally, my husband and I chose to upgrade to 2 ounces of HOKKAIDO WAGYU | A5 Japanese snowflake beef, which incurred an extra $200. Our child ordered desserts, grilled salmon, noodles, and milk. The total bill came out to less than $1,700. If you exclude the wine and HOKKAIDO WAGYU | A5, the price would be significantly lower. Although the restaurant currently holds only one Michelin star, I believe it is even better than many two-star establishments. So let's conclude today's sharing by providing the address of this restaurant: Monte Verde at 7th Ave., Carmel-by-the-Sea, 93921, USA."

"The single best restaurant we've ever been to, with the best wagyu steak we've ever had (definitely worth paying more for that optional course). The presentation, plating, food, sauces, and chefs serving and explaining dishes is exquisite. Expensive, but worth it."

"Exceptional dinner. Each bite of our night's tasting menu danced between vibrant bursts of flavor and rich, gentle, sweeping, dishes that kept us excited for the next course. Good pacing. Kind & professional service. Deserves at least a 2nd Michelin star, and on par food-wise with 3-star Michelin restaurants we've been to. Glad to have picked Aubergine to treat my mother for Mother's Day; she can't wait to come back!"