Aubergine, the pop-up-turned-restaurant from husband-and-wife team Bjorn and Megan Jacobse, is set to open April 24 in St. Paul’s Cathedral Hill with a tightly edited, seasonal menu and one very specific quirk: exactly eight burgers will hit the grill each night. Taking over the former Revival space on Selby Avenue, the restaurant aims to be a cozy neighborhood spot, with plates that change based on what nearby farms are harvesting. Kids get some love too, including complimentary soft-serve, while more adventurous diners can look forward to pâtés, offal-driven dishes, and a single, scarce “secret” burger.
Secret burger and seasonal approach
Chef Bjorn plans to grind his own mix of Minnesota-raised beef cuts in-house, bake just eight burger buns each day, and serve the burgers with thrice-cooked fries; when those eight are spoken for, that is it for the night. As reported by the Star Tribune, Aubergine will also keep a pâté en croûte on the menu at all times, even as the filling shifts with the seasons.
Space, hours and neighborhood rules
The Jacobses are transforming the former Revival footprint into an intimate dining room with a compact bar and a private space for groups. City licensing records note an eight-seat bar, a main dining room in the mid-40-seat range and a 15–18-seat private dining room. The same City of Saint Paul licensing minutes outline standard conditions the owners agreed to, including limits on patio use and closing hours tailored to the neighborhood. The couple says those parameters are part of a conscious decision to fit into Cathedral Hill rather than chase a late-night-crowd reputation.
Chef background and the drinks
Bjorn and Megan bring wide-ranging restaurant experience to Aubergine. Bjorn points to time at Joe Beef and training in Lyon as key influences on his cooking, while Megan’s work at Le Pigeon and Arnaud’s French 75 Bar shapes the beverage side. According to the Star Tribune, the cocktail list will be short and focused, with roughly half a dozen drinks built around two classics: a gin martini and a Sazerac. The wine program will evolve alongside the food. As Megan put it, the idea is to “make people feel comfortable and curious” about what arrives at the table.
When to go and where to follow
Aubergine opens for dinner on April 24, with service starting in the late afternoon Tuesday through Saturday, and the couple is directing would-be diners to their site for updates and reservations. The restaurant has already been flagged as a spring opening to watch by national food editors, giving this neighborhood debut some extra attention. For current menus and to join the mailing list, visit Aubergine's website, and for a broader look at anticipated spots this season, Bon Appétit included Aubergine in its spring openings roundup.
