Lunch Ladies: Aubergine & Company
The Lunch Ladies' four meals at Aubergine & Company in Orem. They enjoyed a Create your own Chopped Salad, Pesto Panini, Chicken Soup and Avocado Key Lime Pie, and a Mediterranean Sandwich Combo.
Gabby created her own Chopped Salad and also tried a piece of gluten-free cheese bread. CREDIT: Gabrielle Harris
Lyndsi enjoyed a Pesto Panini. CREDIT: Lyndsi Seltz
Sylvia ordered a cup of Chicken Soup and an Avocado Key Lime Pie. CREDIT: Sylvia Abbott
Jennette purchased a combo meal which included a Mediterranean sandwich, baked sweet potatoes, and a lemonade. CREDIT: Jennette Esplin
Unicorns, Hulk Hogan, Banana Popsicles, Napoleon Dynamite, Randy Johnson, Pepto-Bismol, and Glen Miller. What do they all have in common? Absolutely nothing, other than they are so unique, they truly are one of a kind. Aubergine & Company restaurant can be added to this eclectic group. Like its fellow members, some will adore it, some will shun it, but basically, at the end of the day, it’s one of a kind. And that is what entranced the Lunch Ladies to give it a try and see what it is all about.
Nestled in the shopping area near Sprouts and Cupcake Chic, we knew it was coming before the grand opening and were curious what Aubergine would be like. Since its opening we had heard some rave reviews, but also some mixed feelings. Was it really only a place for hipsters, health-freaks and ultra-foodies?
This Mediterranean restaurant prides itself on creating healthy, clean foods that avoid sugars and processed ingredients. They emphasize quality, natural components, which of course come at a price some may not be willing to pay, but the right patron is completely on board with the unique flavors and healthier options than they may find elsewhere.
So after a recommendation from a reader urging the Lunch Ladies to check it out and see if we too would recommend it, we decided we’d put it to the test and determine whether or not we could officially give it our own Lunch Ladies’ stamp of approval.
First off, we loved the ambience. Modern décor, great chandelier, and stylish tables caught our eyes. A quick trip to the Ladies’ Room was even more attention grabbing, noting the floor was covered in pennies, making a unique “follow the yellow brick road” type glow, perhaps? So based on looks, we were impressed.
Now for the line, it was decently paced — friendly staff taking custom-made orders, nothing to get too impatient about, but a little faster movement, or a little extra labeling of the various ingredients you were choosing from might help speed it along. But definitely a small price to pay for getting your meal the way you want it.
Now for the most important part, the meals themselves:
Jennette: Mediterranean Sandwich Combo, $12.99
When I heard that we were going to a “healthy” place for lunch, I wasn’t that thrilled because that usually means small portions and high prices. I was pleasantly surprised that the sandwich I chose was so huge! The sandwich is kind of a build your own. They take a homemade wheat pita and fill it as full as you would like. I chose chicken, Babaganouch spread, carrots, beets, spinach, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumbers and Tzatziki sauce. Delicious! I made my sandwich a combo by adding baked sweet potatoes and lemonade. All of the ingredients were fresh and delicious and very filling. Sadly, they don’t serve Diet Coke.
Sylvia: Chicken Soup, $3.99; Avocado Key Lime Pie, $6.00
OK, to call it just Chicken Soup is a total over-simplification. The small cup of soup was quite tasty with lots of chicken, green beans, small chunks of carrots and potatoes, some spinach (I’m pretty sure) chick peas and green onions. This was my first non-hummus chick pea experience … yummy. But the star of my lunch was the pie. Creamy and rich from the avocado, just the right tang from the Key Limes, and the crust — oh my — dates and walnuts! And yes, this was worth every penny.
Lyndsi: Pesto Panini, $5.99
The restaurant name may not be easy to say but don’t let that scare you, the food at Aubergine is great. This is not the first time I have had lunch here and have never been disappointed. This visit I enjoyed the Pesto Panini with fresh mozzarella, tomato, and pesto on homemade wheat pita bread. It is technically on the breakfast menu but they were happy to accommodate my request and make it for lunch. It was a very simple sandwich but all the flavors work together and melted cheese makes everything better. The only down fall was it was not super filling so next time I might add a small bowl of soup to make it more of a complete meal.
Gabby: Create Your Own Salad (32oz), $6.99; plus Chicken, $2.49
In all honesty I kind of regretted building my own salad opposed to ordering a chopped salad off the menu. I’m sure I was just in a lazy mood, but between the numerous options to choose from, and having to pay attention to which items were “premium” and would result in a surcharge, as well as how many items I could select, I found it kind of tedious. But lesson learned; the end result was delicious. I chose a base of spinach, with cucumbers, green peppers, strawberries, blueberries, chicken, and cheese. I had it all chopped and mixed with a cranberry dressing that was sweet, tangy and had a splash of garlic. Step aside Bobby Flay; I might be the next flavor genius. But seriously, it was fantastic. The salad typically comes with a piece of whole wheat pita bread, so I asked if I could substitute a piece of gluten-free cheese bread, which they kindly accommodated. Warm, crisp on the outside, chewy on the inside, I was amazed! At a price of$1.90 for two little rolls I was tempted to purchase a few more for the road! Best part of my meal!
All in all, I’d say our lunch at Aubergine was a win. Sure it was pricier than we anticipated paying for an everyday lunch, but when you think of the quality and uniqueness you are paying for, it’s reasonable. We concluded you did not have to be donning your skinny jeans and thick rimmed glasses to appreciate it, nor did you have to be merely hitting it up between reps at the gym. More than just a fad, Aubergine & Company does have some great meal options for foodies and non-foodies alike.
Aubergine & Company — 1365 S. State St, Orem. Open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, closed Sundays.