Aubergine
Monte Verde Street at Seventh, Carmel
624-8578
Local Dungeness crab paired with nitrogen-prepared coconut froth is a rare treat. And ridiculously fresh Monterey Bay abalone plucked from the kitchen tank within 10 minutes of consumption and garnished with seaweed that Japanese foragers risk their lives to harvest can only be described as a small miracle. Chef Justin Cogley creates these kinds of moments on a daily basis; keeping his cuisine unbelievably simple, while at the same time blowing minds. Generally one prodigious taste-wizard in a restaurant is enough, but Aubergine boasts the skills of Chef Ron Mendoza in the realm of pastry/sorbet/milkballs/holy wow as well. It all makes for a rare destination where $120 for a tasting menu is actually a good value.