Aubergine At L'auberge Carmel

And the anniversary culinary experience continues up the California coast. Probably the best dining experience I ever had. Aubergine is a Michelin star restaurant in Carmel by the Sea. The menu is a predetermined surprise tasting menu. It was absolutely incredible from start to finish and the chefs and service were unmatched. The chefs literally serve and explain every dish. Top ten experiences of all time.

This is simply one of the best fine dining restaurants in the world. They deserve international acclaim; they're vastly underrated with a single Michelin star designation. They recently updated the dining room to convey a sense of place mere blocks from the Pacific ocean that's more closely tied to the cuisine, which is seafood focused with techniques that lean more Japanese than French in many cases. All of the dishes were flawlessly executed with a high level of creativity and precision. The service is impeccable. Formal yet warm. The staff is keen to share their extensive knowledge, whether it's the sourcing of the ingredients or the details of the cooking techniques. The wine pairing had so many interesting selections, each with a unique and memorable story. The flavor profiles were matched perfectly to complement the dishes. Can't wait to come back!

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.

My husband and I had a great time at Aubergine during our honeymoon!! We go out for tasting menu dinners occasionally, and Aubergine was a must try for us during our stay in Carmel. It ended up being my husband’s favorite tasting menu so far! I highly recommend the wine pairing, especially, if Ryan is working—we enjoyed his presence, knowledge, and of course, the wine! I even tried a couple nonalcoholic wines, and they were lovely! Thank you, all at Aubergine, we hope to see you over and over again!

This was the ultimate food experience. Great service, creative looking and tasting dishes in a intimate setting. Highly recommended for that special occasion.