Butter Poached Lobster and Aerated Lobster with Watermelon Rose Fluid Gel and Lemon Balm & Marigold
AUBERGINE
Written by Jessica Metcalf / Photography courtesy Aubergine Private Dining Club Nestled between bustling coffee joints and boutique shops in the heart of Grandview is Aubergine Private Dining Club. So discreet that you might miss it if you aren't looking, the unmarked purple front door is hidden in plain sight; an exclusive members-only supper club known for exquisite food, great wine, and sophisticated art displays. Notable is the absence of windows, an intentional omission that protects the privacy of diners and events, and ensuring the secret enclave is well-protected for the use of those in the know. From the second my friends and I set foot into the restaurant, owner and Executive Chef Colin Gregory made us feel completely at home, evoking the feeling of arriving at a close friend’s dinner party. By design, Aubergine has no set menu and reservations are required. As a result, each experience is tailored by the talented team specifically to their guests, allowing creative innovation in the kitchen and a sense of curiosity in the dining room. 66 slmag.net
Unique and original art frames the finely stocked bar at the front of the restaurant, where we were welcomed – though the club culture is comfortable enough that members sometimes enter in the rear and take a quick jaunt through the kitchen to say hello. Chef Colin, a self-professed “jack-of-all-trades” and former wine sommelier and bartender, curated original drinks for each of us on the spot as he chatted enthusiastically about the history of Aubergine. Aubergine was launched in 1990 by Spagio founder and acclaimed Chef Hubert Selbert, whose portrait still hangs close to the bar to remind members of the roots that Chef Colin so admirably regards. “Chef represents this cool past that really anchors our future,” explains Chef Colin. “I am the keeper of the story.” Chef Colin brings fresh innovation to a classic, oldschool style.
