Aubergine

I was taken here for my 21st birthday and it was probably the best meal I've ever had. I've eaten at other michelin starred places before, but Aubergine was head and shoulders above the rest.

The waiting staff are charming, unobtrusive and knowledgable. We had the 7 course tasting menu with matching wines. The highlight was probably the poached lobster tail with truffle butter, or maybe the trout with jerusalem artichokes, or maybe... it was all stunning.

I did find the desserts to be rather on the large side, but that was my only gripe and its not much of a gripe at all.

Definitely come here - probably a special occassion as I imagine the bill was pretty hefty.
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L
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 22, 2007

It was my dad's 50th birthday just recently, and so we decided to do something a bit special, resulting in us going down to London for the weekend. Prior to this, we tried to think of somewhere we could go to eat that would also be special, and considered The Savoy Grill, where we have previously been, but we thought we should do something a bit different, so we selected Aubergine.

I have got absolutely nothing bad to say about it. From the moment we arrived we were made to feel welcome. The staff were polite and very friendly, and it was not at all snooty. We were placed on possibly the nicest table in the whole restaurant and the decor and setting was just wonderful.

We all decided to have the Gourmet menu, accompanied by the different wines. I believe that was £130 each, and there were four of us. I have to say, it was worth the money. The food was exquisite, the combinations of tastes were superb, and the presentation was second to none. The wines that accompanied each dish were thoroughly explained to us by a very friendly waiter who clearly was savvy in his wine knowledge. Each wine was so tasty and fitted perfectly with each dish, and even the sweet dessert wine, which I would not usually be a fan of, complemented the dish wonderfully.

There is not a bad word to be said for this fine dining establishment. The experience was impeccable, and I can't wait for another important birthday to surface so we can do the same again.
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Liz - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, September 28, 2007

This was my first Michelin starred restaurant and we went for my 30th birthday. It didn't get off to the best start as we left without menus for about 20mins and then our order wasn't taken for about another 20mins even after trying to make it very obvious that we were ready to order. We then finally got the wine list but had to wait another 15 mins to get any help with choosing an appropriate wine! I would say that we got there before 9.30 and were still eating dessert at 12.30am!

The food was lovely but not amazing - I have had more exciting/delicious meals at restaurants with no Michelin stars, however we did all try something that we have never had before such as lobster tails and grouse and I found that the portions were pleasantly satisfying.

Would I book here again? Probably not - I didn't feel 'special' or 'spoilt' and the food although lovely was just not as sumptuous as I had hoped, and I'm afraid the service was a little under par.

Would I eat here again if someone else was paying? Yes as we had a nice evening just not a spectacular one.
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Vikki
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Monday, September 24, 2007

Enjoyed a sublime dinner here courtesy of an out-of-town friend, and we both agreed it was a top-class dining experience.

Having experience of another couple of Michelin-starred establishments, was expecting precious and snobby service, but at Aubergine this is not the case. I had arrived straight from work in jeans, but the staff never stiffened or flinched. They were warm, friendly and created a light, pleasant ambience.

Being admitted wine novices, we both opted for a glass of delicious house wine, followed by beautifully made breadrolls and an exquisitely dainty anchovy appetiser.

I had three of the most melt-in-your mouth scallops as my starter, while my friend had the rich, creamy foie gras. Both of us were ecstatic.

As a main course I took the recommendation of herb-crusted spring lamb, which was succulent, rare and close-your-eyes-to-savour-it delicious.

Desserts were as sumptuous as they sounded - the savarin with fresh raspberries and vanilla ice cream being a delectable end to my meal.

Thumbs up for a special treat and/or a great, leisurely night out.
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Aviva
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Amazing gastronomics involved within this place! On the downside, I have been to much more interesting looking restaurants, and the place wasn't exactly oozing atmosphere. However, if you would like to satisfy your tastebuds and eat like a king, this is the place. I had the Hereford Beef which was incredible. Wine list is extensive..to say the least!
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Jamie
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Have been for lunch on two occasions and both times have been wonderful. The service from start to finish is friendly and attentive with an excellent knowledge of the food and the wines. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal which I have not always found to be the case in many of London's top end restaurants.

The lunch menu is wonderful value for the quality on offer even leaving aside the fact you get a choice of nice wines included in the price.

The food is delicious, with a monkfish risotto on our first visit standing out as a highlight.

Aubergine is a must visit for anyone living in or visiting London. A real treat!
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David
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 22, 2007

I had the fish mains and a lobster salad starter. I was with a large group of and the consensus was that the lobster salad was amazing.

I love restaurants where the waiting staff are smartly dressed and are quiet and discreet as they go around serving food and drink, collecting plates and napkins. You reall feel like a welcomed and important guest at this place.

I also witnessed a birthday celebration for a little girl where many waiters brought out a cake and walked out with it hidden behind menus so that it was a surprise for her. They seemed to really care to make an effort.

This place is a real luxury where you'll be looked after and there is no arrogance at all.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 13, 2007

Having read the raving reviews on this website i have been longing to visit the aubergine, so my wife and i decided to book for lunch for our anniversary. on first impressions the restaurant looked nice but not as plush as expected. The service started of as you would expect, we were soon offered drinks and menus and we ordered from the set menu. Then followed a lovely choice of bread rolls which were delicious a shame that the butter was rock hard. my wife had squid to start which was slightly overcooked and a bit on the cold side, i had confit of duck with fois gras which was most enjoyable. for main course my wife had the guinea fowl which again was lovely and cooked to perfection where as i had the skate which i must say was some what spoilt by the ammount of butter used.The puddings followed and they were tasty, my wifes tart tatin was huge. Overall it was good value for money (at lunch time) but sadly not quite as good as we had anticipated maybe our expectations were just to high.When you have eaten at michelin star restaurants in the past you begin to assume they will all be perfection, sadly the aubergine was not quite there.
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K Karimi - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, May 28, 2007

London is a city of many luxuries- spas, shopping, luxury accommodations... but none compare to the luxury of Aubergine's tasting menu and matching wines.

If you're not up for several (read: many) glasses of wine with the pairings, try half-bottles. The (genius) sommelier always recommends stunning wines that are completely unlike anything you've ever tasted before, guaranteed to surprise your taste buds.

Bring a hearty appetite - like any tasting menu, the dishes appear small but catch up to your stomach by the end. Sometimes I wish the dishes arrived in a different order. Though just as delicious, I often feel too stuffed to appreciate the final meatier dishes as much as the first ones.

Basically, though Aubergine is fabulous. Totally the place to take someone you really care about.
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Lauren - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 25, 2007

After reading all the rave reviews of Aubergine on this website (and elsewhere) I was very interested to see just how good it would be. I took my wife there for our 3rd wedding anniversary last night and I have got to say - it's the best we've had yet!

We are certainly no veterans of fine dining, but having eaten at Le Gavroche and Le Manoir did give us some good reference points, and Chef Drabble certainly didn't disappoint. We opted for the £77 per head Menu Gourmand, which is 7 courses (the 3-course normal menu being £64). (For £133, you can get a specially selected glass of wine with each of the 7 courses.)

This extravaganza got off to a great start with carpaccio of scallops with pickled artichoke and truffle vinaigrette - superb. Next was what turned out to be the pinnacle: poached lobster tail with cabbage and the most sublime lemon butter sauce. It was one of those dishes that almost brings you to tears - of joy!!!

Sauteed foie gras with fig poached in red wine on gingerbread crisps followed (my wife isn't a foie gras lover, but this combination of flavours even had her enthusing), then delightful brill with chanterelles, garlic puree and red wine jus. This pushed the lobster for "best course" prize. The last course before dessert was fillet of beef with celeriac puree, spinach and madeira jus. By this time it didn't surprise us that the beef just needed the knife to whisper at it to fall apart. Desserts were white chocolate parfait with bottled cherries (my least favourite course - but still good), finishing with a monumental pistachio souffle - with pistachio ice cream ceremoniously dumped into the souffle's centre - a glorious finale!

We were too stuffed to even contemplate coffee and petit fours.

Had a great chat after with the amusing restaurant manager, Jean Kessler (apparently former assistant manager at Le Gavroche). All his staff were great and the timing of the courses just right. A nice bottle of Riesling was £40, and the whole lot with service charge came to £238.

Worth it for a truly memorable dining experience.
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Badoola - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 15, 2007