Aubergine
California
Aubergine is the restaurant at L’Auberge Carmel, in the centre of Carmel-by-the-Sea. Chef Justin Cogley builds an eight-course tasting menu around seasonal ingredients, changing it daily and using contrasting textures to develop each course. A sample menu moves from oyster with yuzu and cucumber to lobster with shiro dashi and fava beans, then ribeye with kohlrabi and sunflower miso. The wine cellar reaches across California and Europe, with particular attention to Champagne, Burgundy, the Rhône and Germany. California, Champagne and reserve wine pairings are offered alongside a zero-proof pairing, giving several ways to accompany the meal.