One of the restaurants we always wanted to visit on our trips to Carmel for many years, but the schedule never aligned so far, was Aubergine https://auberginecarmel.com/ Arguably the best known restaurant in that area for many years with one Michelin star. On this trip we finally had the chance to visit and were really impressed by the dishes, service (e.g. each course presented and explained by one of the chefs) and ambience (relaxed, cozy). As with most menu descriptions in high-end restaurants they rarely do justice for the actual complexity of the final dishes.
Overall a fantastic restaurant and it won’t take years to come back
Abalone dressed in its liver, crispy chicken skin
Red masa, kampachi, leche de tigre
Bluefin tuna, crispy nori, caviar
Pacific gold oyster, spirulina, sorrel
Wagyu tartare, egg yolk jam, sorghum
All five bites were served with Heiwa Shuzuo “Natsu mo Shippu” Junmai Ginjo
Kaluga queen caviar, asparagus, allium cream
Pierre Gerbais “Grains des Celles”
Kinmedai, corn, iberico
Emrich-Schönleber “Monziger” Riesling Kabinett 2020
Shiro dashi, carrot, hokkaido scallop
Domaine Guiberteau “Saumur Blanc” 2020
Lamb, pistachio, lettuce
Envinate “Lousas - Vinas de Aldea” 2022
Dry-aged ribeye, turnip, fava bean, chanterelle
Pietroso “Brunello di Montalcino” 2018
Olive and basil cake, meyer lemon curd, strawberry, tuille
Marcel Deiss “Grasberg” 2017
Corn & white chocolate ice cream
Ricotta fritter, plum glaze
Bitter sweet chocolate & cherry ganache
