Small but it works. Very interesting dishes with a different menu each week. Great wine pairings and nice vegetarian options. Tough to get reservations so book 3 weeks in advance read more

My friend had high praise for Spencer, so I was excited to try it out when I was in Ann Arbor. My friends and I arrived 10 min before they opened for brunch and there was no wait, though the restaurant filled up quickly behind us. The space is rustic and simple, with fresh cut flowers on the tables. A majority of the walls were occupied by floor to ceiling racks of wine, as that is their award-winning product. Their brunch menu changes weekly and is extremely tight and cohesive. My party ordered the entire food menu sans olives (2/3rds of us don't like them), and two plates of the potato pelmeni. My thoughts below: Amaro Apertivo: mocktail based on the namesake dessert wine. This tasted like candy but not too sweet, and we enjoyed it a lot. Lovage soda: Google told me that lovage is an herb that tastes like citrus and celery. I am a huge fan of drinks with a twist, and I'd say that celery is a pretty big one! Crisp and not too sweet, the citrus flavor definitely balanced the Celery, and both flavors kept the soda fresh and crisp. This was great paired with the rest of the herbaceous menu and balanced out the richness of some later dishes, though it's not necessarily something I would enjoy by itself without appropriate accompaniment. Pickled egg, fried shallot, dill: I had only heard of pickled eggs in the context of strange British food on YouTube, so I was a little hesitant about this dish. The concept of an egg floating in vinegar brine is a bit off-putting, but once I powered through that mental roadblock, I found myself enjoying this bite. The egg is perfectly cooked with a slightly jammy yolk, and the shallots added a much needed crunch. Dill enhanced the pickled taste while cutting through the richness of the fried shallots and yolk. Sourdough focaccia, whipped butter: Never in my life have I ever made focaccia this tall. This focaccia was raised by a loving family and nurtured to develop a golden, non-greasy, crisp crust protecting its tender, pillowy innards. The classic sourdough tang is a novel addition to each bite, and cuts through the creamy, whipped butter to keep me wanting more. I could eat a whole pan of this alone, but we had many more plates to sample. Saucisson sec salami, pickled carrot: This is a simple, charming, carb-free mini charcuterie; place a slice of salami, some of the mozzarella (next dish on this list, below), and its oil atop a pickled carrot base, and you are in for a perfectly balanced treat. My favorite part of this dish is the fact that the salami was incredibly savory, and not too salty. The more you chew it, the more the flavors express themselves, so be sure to chew slowly and thoroughly! The crunch of the crisp, dill-pickled carrot and the soft chewiness of the mozzarella give each bite a lot of good contrast. Mozzarella, green garlic oil: Fresh, hand-stretched mozzarella is something that even I, a notorious cheese-hater, can't say no to. It is not sharp or funky at all, nor is it too salty. Most of the flavor comes from the green garlic and olive oil smothering each bite. Fresh and floral with a little bite, this was delicious with the salami and carrot above. Potato pelmeni, asparagus green adjika, sour cream: Given the portion size of the previous dishes (small, tapas vibes), we were not expecting the platter full of double carb heaven that met our eyes. And we ordered two!!! This is a gorgeous dish with plump, quarter-sized pelmeni nestled in a vibrant green asparagus and herb sauce with a dollop of sour cream on top. This was a classic comfort dish with a verdant twist! The pelmeni were stuffed full of creamy potato, and the dough was cooked perfectly al dente for a satisfying, pillowy bite. The sauce was homey but packed with zippy flavor and tender asparagus. The major feedback I have for this dish is that it was way too salty, to the point where the flavor was a tad too sharp because of it. Lettuces, radish, pumpkin seed, caraway vinaigrette: It was through this dish that I found out what caraway tastes like and through this dish that I figured out that I'm not a caraway fan. The lettuces were bitter and when combined with the slightly medicinal caraway taste, wasn't for me. The crunch of the radish and the nutty pumpkin seeds were great in this dish though! Fennel cornmeal biscotti, rhubarb compote, cream: This was a single biscotti with generous dollops of compote and cream. We were quite full when this dish was set in front of us, so I was frankly relieved for the small portion size. The fennel in the biscotti paired wonderfully with the tart rhubarb, and the rich cream rounded things out nicely without tipping into cloying territory. The savory cornmeal complimented the fennel and provided additional depth of flavor. A great small bite to end on! Overall, Spencer's strong fundamentals allow them to take risks with in-season local produce. Some things worked for me and some didn't, but I would love to come back to see what they can create next! read more

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I want to preface this by saying, I still recommend Spencer. The food is incredible, the wine pairing with the menu is divine however, we had a bit of a downfall with them. For background, my boyfriend and I are from Ohio and ate here around the same time last year and have been talking about our experience ever since. My boyfriend suggested we go and get Spencer again for lunch and saw that they do not take reservations online. That is important to this review, that they don't take lunch reservations online. We got to Spencer around 2:06 and it was busy which obviously is no issue at all. When we first talk to a server, she said it would be about a ten, fifteen minute wait. Then a man came over and said about 40 minutes, again no problem at all. The issue is that they don't "do callbacks", so they don't take your number. You are expected to literally wait around the restaurant in order to hold your place, however the man said to just come back within 40 minutes. We were willing to wait, again with it no issue at all as we were expecting to wait anyway. We walked around downtown for about 30 minutes and went back just to check in. The same man said it would take a little longer, 15 minutes but that we were first in line and would be sat first. Again this is no issue, you can't gage on how long people will stay and eat so we were willing to wait. We let him know that we will be waiting outside then so we don't miss our reservation. A couple were actually in the same boat as us waiting outside. Finally, after about another addition 30 minutes a couple left the restaurant so the couple outside with us walked in and we were behind them. The man saw us, apologized and said they were in front of us because they "made a reservation online." Then crossed off their name below us on a sheet of paper. I'm sorry? I checked and you cannot make a reservation until 5 PM. So what in the actual world was that? I wish I was kidding and I know how I sound here but it was so obvious that he let them in before us. At this point we were in a catch 22, leave after waiting for an hour and thirty minutes at this point just to have them come out and look for us or stay for another promised "fifteen minutes". We waited since we did drive 2 hours and 30 minutes specifically for this restaurant. Finally, after almost an hour and forty five minutes we were sat. Almost half the menu was sold out. I just HAVE to laugh at this point. Apologies were said and at this point like what were we supposed to do? We ordered everything that was left, bread, olives, salami with carrots and a celery salad which they had to make a substitute with the salad. Whatever I would've eaten scraps at this point. I had one glass of wine and after all was said is done, they gave us last call. I am still laughing at this point. We ate our small dishes and promptly asked for the check, which was 58 dollars including gratuity. I am not even going to mention the countless people we talked to outside asking us to hurry up and eat fast so they can get in. This review is for no one BUT the management at Spencer. As someone who works in the service industry and understands set backs, you NEED to figure out your reservation system. Either you have one or you don't. Talk to your staff when these things happens so they don't lie to costumers when they accidentally seat someone before them. I loved the food, loved the atmosphere, but my God please figure out the seating and waiting system. I wish you all the very best! read more

Great service! We arrived on a Sunday evening and had a reservation scheduled. We sat at the bar and got a rundown of the menu/how the ingredients were sourced. Everything tasted amazing and the woman behind the bar area was able to provide us a ton of information on the menu/the area/and the chef! Ambiance was also amazing, it was very clean and well laid out. I was in college in 2015 and wish I knew about this place back then! I'll definitely be stopping by every time I'm home visiting. read more

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We love Spencer. It's one of our favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor + we hope it never leaves! The quality of the food is amazing- the service is excellent, and the wine is always delicious. read more

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Spencer has been a long time favorite of mine in Ann Arbor. Beautiful, delicious, thoughtfully sourced, seasonal, and inventive bites. Owners Steve and Abby so clearly love food and wine and it shines through in the ever-changing curated menus. Come here expecting high craftsmanship in your meal, and very possibly new combinations of flavors you haven't experienced before. Menus and reservations for those menus are posted ahead of time so you can decide which set menus look the best to you and set a calendar reminder to get your reservation. Personally, I think my favorites tend to be their summer menus. So bright and fresh! Also a great place to stop in to shop wine, particularly if you're looking for recommendations. This is my go to when looking to pick something up for a gift or a dinner party. All that being said, I do somewhat miss their old fully a la carte menus. They shifted their business model out of necessity during the pandemic and then since then, have opted for reservations only set menus (which admittedly makes sense, it's efficient and predictable!). They also have weekend daywine hours which are walk in and a la carte, focusing on a few snack-y options (and of course, highlighting fun wines). Will be pricey! Not the right place if you're looking for a big filling meal at a value price point. This is a Good Meal, in a relaxed, comfortable, welcoming environment. read more

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Came to spencers with a friend for her birthday and it was amazing! Smaller restaurant with a very nice vibe and helpful workers! Each course comes out family style but they account for how many people are in the party. Every course was so delicious and they even gave a candle for the birthday girl on her dessert! It is a pricier meal but I think it would be great for a birthday celebration or a date night! read more

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Food - 4 stars Ambiance - 3 stars Here's why. We started off the meal with radish, za'atar and cultured butter. It tasted exactly like what it is. If you like those things, you would like this dish. It was a nice light bite to start the meal. It was very simple. Tahini butter beans and fava beans were very delishious. These were an add on, and probably a highlight of the meal for me. It had a good balance of citrus and flavorful olive oil. The butter beans were soft in contrast to the nice bite of the fava bean. The charred garlic scape over allium lebneh, malawach, zhoug. The malawach was kinda like a flatbread, kinda like a buttery cracker. The yogurt was not tangy, and it was very creamy. Scape is a new vegetable for me. It was like if a greenbean had an asparagus-like flavor. This was my favorite dish of the meal. For mains, we had the chicken, baharat, with little gems. This dish ate very dry for me. The chicken needed a sauce element or maybe more of the dressing from the little gems. My lettuce also had dirt in it. The dessert was a cardamom cake with cherries and cream. It was nice. I tasted the cardamom and a little rose in the sauce that the cherries were in. That said, it was unremarkable. It was good. We enjoyed the non- alcoholic teas/ sodas as well. The seating situation was particularly challenging. The tables were small, which is fine, as they fit the food on them, however, there was an x shaped rod under the table that was impossible not to hit your knees on, even for someone short like me. The edge of the chair also dug into my back if I leaned back. Across the street, fans blew on dinners at the taco shop while we sweat it out on this hot day. Plan on making a late reservation during the summer if you're able. I was incredibly uncomfortable by the end of the 90 minute dining experience. read more

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Nice surprise here in AA. Seating is quite tight but not a huge deterrent. Food was good if not overly memorable. Would go again.

Dinner was over priced and service was poor. The dishes all were tasty but needed more spice. I asked for some hot sauce but not was accommodated which is odd. read more

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Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher wrote that you can't step in the same river twice. That's how I feel about Spencer. If you go every month, their menu will be different but the thing that will stay the same is the quality of the ingredients, the creativity of the preparations and the gentle sense of humor for what is on the plate. The only downside I can think of is that it's extremely challenging to make a reservation and the hurried staff rarely answer the phone (although they do call back if you leave a message, in fairness). Did I neglect to mention the wine? Spencer is actually a wine shop and has fabulous bottles for sale with or without dining in the restaurant. Summer is the best time to go as they spread out their tables onto the street for some of the best alfresco dining you will have in Michigan, and perhaps the United States. I'm a fan. read more

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We scooped up a reservation at Spencer for a special occasion and were blown away by our meal. At $70 per person, I was nervous the portion sizes would be smaller, but we left very full and with leftovers to take home. Everything we ate was beautifully presented and thoughtful. Their staff was accommodating and knowledgeable about their wines as well. And their wine program is a James Beard semifinalist for a reason! Only one critique: I hate to be a curmudgeon about the seating, but there are a few spots where you are elbow-to-elbow with the party next to you. I'm not a fan of this -- my husband with ADHD wouldn't hear a word I said if we had to sit that close to other people. We lucked out with bar seating and had a great time, but I'd keep this in mind if you're an introverted grump like me. We hope to celebrate more special events at Spencer in the future! read more

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I have put a lot of thought into this review and REALLY REALLY wanted to give Spencer 4 stars (was hoping for a 5-star experience actually based on the wonderful reviews I've read) because the food is wonderful however the service soured me based on our experience. We made a reservation (watch for when they open their reservations and book immediately in order to get a reasonable dinner time). I would also recommend continuing to look for openings if you happen to get a time you don't prefer as you might be able to get a different time and it's super easy to modify your reservation. Spencer is small, quaint and although we booked it for a special occasion, the ambiance is really quite casual. The dining area is literally surrounded by the numerous wine bottles/shelves they sell. Yes, they do have 2 long communal tables but it must be intentional as we did not have anyone seated next to us until basically when we got our desserts. (The bar has 4 seats if that is an option to reserve there). The food was all very delicious (the pizette was a favorite) and I love that the ingredients are local. We enjoyed the April menu (see pictures). The menu changes every month so you can preview what you'll be having. The main problem was the service. It wasn't horrible but it wasn't good either. We asked about selecting a wine off menu (I think we are all trying to watch how much we spend these days) since the ones on the menu were more than we wanted to spend. Figuring this is a wine store, why not try/buy one from there. We didn't get any initial help (just a general those types of wines are over there-aka, go look yourself). When we couldn't decide, we asked again about a wine and the server did suggest one but it was like pulling teeth to ask how it was and yes we were told there was a corkage fee- however he didn't tell us how much. We didn't see until we got the bill, the corkage fee ($25) cost more than the bottle of wine! Honestly, when you google corkage fees it varies a lot but this is usually when you bring your own bottle of wine. Since we bought this bottle from Spencer's, I was a bit :( to see how much it cost. In addition, Spencer's doesn't do anything for a special occasion (to be fair they don't give you the option to mention a birthday or anything when booking unless I missed it.) so it just compounded my disappointment to what I was hoping to be a special evening. I just think it would be easy to put up a sign or mention the $25 fee. Anyways, it might seem like a little thing but I'm in no rush to return or recommend Spencer's but yes, they do have good food but there are too many other great places that will treat you better. read more

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One of my favorite restaurants in ann arbor. The food is always delicious and I love the menu changes monthly, so there is always a new food to try. read more

They do not accommodate food allergies. They will not make any modifications so you can just watch other people eat.

Worth the wait and the hype! Beautiful setting, exceptional wine, thoughtful service and delicious food. Will be a special occasion favorite for us. read more

Spencer - Roasted eggplant salad - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

For our two and a half day vacation in Ann Arbor, before joining her family, I booked Spencer as a treat for my wife. I had heard about Spencer. We pass through Ann Arbor at least once per year, and I grew up just past north campus. Spencer is newish, dating back to 2015 -- and well reviewed by the NY Times. Chef Abby Olitzky and wine conoissuer Steve Hall, also partners in life, met in San Francisco, and he indicated he courted her with Zingerman's bread. We had not been able to make reservations. That is a warning doubling as compliment: they release openings for the month at once, and you should plan to look on that date if you intend to secure a seat among the 32 available inside a bona fide wine shop. This summer, I had more of an opportunity to plan the itinerary. When the opportunity arose, I got us two spots. They are prix fixe with a seasonal menu. When you look at the reservations, you can see what they offer, with a meat and a vegetarian option -- with an understandable note about sorry, no substitutions. We had one of each alternative. The portions were generous; we took home a box each. For this quality, and the experience (consider the place suited to an "event" such as an anniversary), the pricing is not outrageous. It is much less than a comparable evening in NYC or SF. Surprisingly, there is no wine pairing. The wine list is selected, however, to be compatible with the food, and we had no complaints about the Pinot Noir or the extra glass of orange wine. They state clearly some seating is communal. It should read that most seating is at one of two long tables. That allows them to double their capacity in what is an intimate space. We were aware in advance. This would not be the place to discuss politics (my wife scolded me for a comment about a political candidate whom we know, and I replied I'd bet everyone there planned to vote for her). The couple next to us were either on the worst first date ever, in which one party did almost all the talking, or it was a coach and a client in an unusual venue for that purpose; you could not but overhear snippets of the conversation. The meal was five courses. First was dark rye levain, which they made, topped with a garlic scape liptauer. I had to look up that last term. It is an Austrian cheese spread, with a bit of spice. It was flavorful, but not too hot (to my palate, not hot at all). The bread was substantial. You could order more. If you did, you would fill up. Second and third were vegetables. A lettuce salad had the leaves they must curate. Once you have superior lettuce, you realize it is a vegetable that you almost always are being served in inferior versions. It had a sorrel buttermilk dressing and barley and sprouts. By the time we were halfway through, we had to make a decision. We chose not to stuff ourselves. We would take hom the leftovers for a fine lunch the next day. Otherwise, the bread and the salad would have been enough. Then came blistered came blistered asparagus with walnut, paprika, mint, and lemon. I am not a fan of asparagus (my preferences change though); and I'd say that although the stalks were less in the "best of" class relative to the lettuce that preceded, the preparation was sophisticated, impressive, and flavorful. For mains, we had different dishes. My wife's was pappardelle, also homemade, with an assortment of mushrooms, and fermented alliums. It was hearty. I always thought, erroneously, "toothsome" referred to chewiness. It is a fancy means of saying something looks tasty. The pasta would satisfy both of those definitions. I look forward to finishing it after writing this note. My main course, which I finished, was lamp dumplings with snap peas, chili butter, and mustard seeds, The lamb was subtle, the dumpling wrappers exactly the right weight (not too thick as to be bothersome, not too thin as to lose structural integrity); the peas were not English peas as I had thought but snap peas shelled and the most al dente peas I've ever had (which was not bad; I just have never had them that consistency). The seasoning was, despite the red hue, not so spicy that anyone would have trouble unless they could not take any heat. Dessert was chamomile ice cream with an anise pizelle and strawberries. It was a perfect finish. Out of curiosity, I looked on their website under jobs. The website is elegant, likely to look good in a decade. They have two lines about qualities of employees that are appropriate and should be obvious in this line of work, but are not highlighted in general: "holiday and weekend availability are required" and "have spatial awareness." Apparently the cooks are the servers. Spencer, nominated for James Beard awards, is among the best restaurants in town. You could make the argument it is the best, period, but these matters are subjective. Among its peers, it is the one that offers the most ambiance, quirkiness, and material for table talk. I look forward to visiting again in a year. read more

Came here for the March prix fixe. I've been wanting to go to Spencer's because I've heard such great things. The ambiance and service did not disappoint and the food didn't either. While the food was good and definitely one of the best meals I've had in AA, it lacked a wow factor for me given the higher price point. That being said, I recommend that everyone try it at least once! read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Place This place is such a nice ambience. The store is like a wine shop and you look around with a mask. Yay for covid friendly places Service The service is good and they were so helpful for an amateur wine taster haha. They let sample this one particular white wine and I got a glass. Food/price The price is up there but you are also paying for the vibe. There different desserts and baked goods that pair well with the wine. Audience I went with childhood friends and I got to say I was feeling a fancy haha. Who knew we would be cheering and chit chatting with $10-$15 glasses of wine. Recommendation/tips I recommend and would come back! read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

All I can say is that Spencer's is an experience that will leave you feeling classy, stuffed, and amazed all in one. Reservations open up on Thursday's at 4 pm and it's always exciting to see what new menus they offer! The food was incredible, the colors, the combinations, the way that Spencers uses acidity and other dimensions of food to manipulate your taste buds. The meal may have been $70, but I left barely being able to move because I ate so much. It was well worth the money. In terms of service, our servers were very friendly and always willing to explain the courses and how they were made. The buckwheat donuts were truly divine and you could tell so much effort went into each course. My only qualm is the space is very small, so even getting up from the table is difficult, but the ambiance of the wine shop was beautiful. read more

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I've been wanting to try Spencer for a while because it's been highly recommended and I love that the co-owners have some California roots. As a CA native. the style of food (California cuisine) really resonates with me. But, you don't have to be to enjoy Spencer, it's just really dang good. They have interesting hours, the menu is always changing & there's no easy online ordering, so it's fallen through the cracks EVERY TIME for us! But, by happenstance, I came across their Valentine's Day menu which consisted of: *Beef Wellington (Tenderloin, Mushroom Duxelle, Chive Crepe, Puff Pasty) with grilled beets, sauce verte, red onion agrodolce, horseradish creme fraiche, flaky sea salt ) - So I'm going to admit that I've never had a beef wellington before. I do know that it can be difficult to make because it can easily get soggy. Is there Gordon Ramsay bit on this or something? But anyways, this was DELIGHTFUL. not a soggy bit in sight - the reheating instructions were spot-on. The side of beets, agrodolce, sauces were just fantastic too. Added bitterness, acidity that really made this stand out! The puff pastry with chive crepe was phenomenal, I could totally eat this on its own. *Chicory Salad (belgian endives, frisee, tarragon vinaigrette) - I want EVERY SALAD to be an endive+frisee salad with this DELICIOUS tarragon vinaigrette. Just super bright & fresh *Ginger Chocolate Truffles - I was a bit skeptical about these, but wow the balance was perfect! Eve my husband enjoyed these and he's not a big chocolate fan. I will DEFINITELY be back to order take out soon. Now that I know the level of quality, craftsmanship -- I'm just going to jump in and try some random things on the menu as I'm certain it will be FIRE! Some other notes: *They have a little wine shop which is going to be dangerous for me! I love new finds! *On that note, they do offer a wine club too! I don't drink enough to justify but one day I'll get there! *They offer delivery for $5-$10 depending on range).s s a read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Appreciate the great selection of wine, and farm to table concept. I love that the menus rotate but wish they'd keep some of their great menus from past. read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

For "Yelp's Big Night In" this weekend I knew right away that I would be placing an order at Spencer. Not only are they one of my favorite restaurants in Ann Arbor to begin with, they have been pulling together some amazing menus that I've been following and drooling over on their instagram. One of which was this fabulous looking "cook your own flatbread" component with several dips and other delicious additions. I love to cook and bake so I love that your order was a little interactive without it being the full meal that needed to be prepped. So we ordered their roast chicken which came with the flatbread dough balls that we just rolled out and fried up on the stove top.To enjoy with the flatbread was a herb tahini dip, carrot hummus, and a pickled salad of radish, feta and herbs. We also ordered the schmaltzy potatoes (potato chunks roasted in chicken fat and topped with zaatar) which came with a preserved onion sauce that I actually loved dipping my flatbreads in, too! For greens we ordered the pumpkin crunch salad with pumpkin seed vinaigrette (SO good and it made me appreciate just how delicious a fresh, locally grown lettuce can be). And to finish? Chocolate cake, of course. I'm more of the chocolate lover in our our house but my husband lost. his. mind. over this cake. So did I, of course, but it's far more impressive that he was so psyched since it's a given I love anything with chocolate. Hah. You place your order with them over the phone and the menu is updated on their website daily (Thurs-Monday). You can go for either pick up or delivery. We did the latter and they gave us a window of 7-8pm and they arrived right around 7:30 with hot, incredible food to enjoy. We plated the meal and set the table, opened a bottle of sparkling wine we had (although they have an incredible "quick recommendations" selection you can choose from and an online wine shop if you want to dig in a little deeper) and had the most delicious, fancy meal that we've enjoyed since Shelter in Place began. It was lovely. I truly look forward to another night ordering from them to come. It was such a treat! read more

I loved Spencer the moment I walked in. I am a beginner when it comes to natural wines and it was Steve in the shop at the time. He spent over 5 minutes with me guiding me based on what wines I typically liked. He taught me a lot about their inventory. And then I was able to try their dinner, which is 5 courses with special wine features. Every week the menu changes which allows us to go on a journey with the chef. The food was so tasty and the wine never disappoints. I love their wine patio during spring/summer time too. They are 2 blocks from my apt and I am so grateful to have Spencer as a neighborhood staple. read more

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Outstanding selection of wine! Would love to come back and try others. Loved the food especially the vegetable dishes!

As I was making a collection of places to check out during our stay in Ann Arbor, Spencer kept coming up on lists and personal recommendations. I checked out their website but they were on summer vacation. Luckily I gathered that reservations for their prix fixe patio dinner are released the week prior for the weekend, and they sell out quickly. I set an alert on my calendar to check the Thursday before our visit, and was able to snag two seats for their 8 pm seating for dinner Saturday. The menu included corn hushpuppy with cherry tomato jam; melon, cucumber, urfa pepper, labneh; half lobster, herb butter, potato chips; tomato salad, grilled corn, pumpkin seed, poblano & feta vinaigrette; and Alaskan peach melba. Cost was $74/person which included tax and gratuity. There is also a vegetarian option although they do politely request that all people in the party reserve the same option. Each menu usually runs for two weeks. When we arrived prior to our reservation, we were shown around the wine shop inside and chatted with the employees about natural wine, which they specialize in. We were seated outside on their "patio" which is a handful, maybe 8 or so, tables on the sidewalk and in the street that is blocked off. It was a really nice experience from the start - everyone was friendly and helpful. We ended up choosing a bottle of wine we'd seen inside that was a recommended pairing for the meal. An orange gewurtztraminer with a cool label, it was a bit funky and really refreshing and tasty. Spencer's proprietors, Abby and Steve, came out and greeted us before the meal and talked about the inspiration and ingredients for the dishes. It was cool to hear all the local farms they source from and definitely set the tone for the evening. The first course was actually a little snack; blistered shishito peppers with crispy quinoa and nori. They were perfectly seasoned and so delicious and savory! The courses that followed were perfectly timed and beautifully executed. I have to say, this meal was one of the best I've had in quite awhile. Up there with Magnet in Detroit and overshadowing a dinner we had at Husk in Nashville. The corn hush puppies were tender and moist, and the accompanying cherry tomato jam tasted of peak summer fresh tomatoes. The melon and cucumber salad with labneh was possibly my favorite dish -- just so bright, fresh, and flavorful with the ripest fruit ever. Seasoning on all the dishes was spot on, which seems like such an easy thing to nail but so often I find it's lacking. The half lobster was divine and such a fun presentation! I'd never had it served this way. The butter was slurp-worthy and the homemade potato chips were all perfectly crisp. The smattering of fresh herbs really brightened up the dish. The corn salad again was farm-fresh produce at its peak, with deliciously salty feta and tomatoes so sweet they almost tasted like dessert. Actual dessert was a bit of a cross between a peach melba and a baked Alaska, with raspberry sorbet encased in torched meringue atop a roasted peach half with a homemade graham cracker type cookie. It was just the right amount of sweetness to finish off this incredible meal. We were able to chat with Abby as she was leaving and she was so kind and wonderful -- I would love to dine at Spencer again someday and highly recommend this delicious, casual, comfortable, fun dining experience. read more

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Spencer is probably the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. They have a constantly changing menu of seasonally inspired small plates, so I recommend coming with a group and sharing a bunch. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait if you're with a big group at peak hours. You order and pay at the counter, and they'll serve your food when it's ready. There isn't that much service: for instance our water was never refilled without us going up and asking. I went with a pretty large group and we ended up paying over $30 per person without drinks -- I thought this was quite reasonable for the quality of the food. The menu changes frequently, but I tried the following: Recommended: -Whole trout, blistered corn, zucchini, brown butter hazelnut vinaigrette ($29) - delicious. -Sweet corn ice cream, blueberries, tarte aux pignons ($9) - every component of this dessert was great. It's not overly sweet or overly rich. -Egg ribbon salad, miso eggplant, chili jam, lime, shiso ($14) - delicious salad with a slight kick. The egg ribbons are slices of a very thin omelet. -Cucumber & melon, black olive fry bread, feta, za'atar ($15) - the fry bread is great. The cucumber was slightly mushy but otherwise the rest of the dish was also good. -Heirloom tomato, green bean, celery, horseradish, olive, aleppo ($15) - great fresh seasonal dish. Not recommended: -Eggplant ravioli, Hazan tomato sauce, cherry tomato, basil ($24) - this was good but it was 7 very small, flat pieces of ravioli. -Grilled summer carrot, crème fraîche, fines herbes ($12) - while good this wasn't outstanding, and I would choose another dish over this one instead. -Today's best cheese & meats plate of five ($27) - fine but not remarkable. For the price I would rather have gotten another trout. read more

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The pictures from this restaurant looked amazing, especially the Customer loaded pictures and not the ones from the business owner or the paid for pic and reviewed clients at least. I even like some of the packaged carry out items from here that some of my yelp buddies have posted. It's awesome that they also give instructions on prepping and making their flatbreads and to assemble and plate your meal, to make it that much more appealing. That's great attention to detail. It's booked for dinner tonight, that's fine. The woman on the phone said the patio is available until 5pm. After 5pm, it's reservations only. She said I could see the patio menu online. I asked if the patio menu is the same as the dining area menu. She said I can't dine-in. I said I know. I asked 3 more times. She said I can't dine-in. We were clearly getting our signals crossed. I asked her a 4th time if I can get the same food out on the patio as I would in the dining area. She finally said no, it's only wine, snacks and beers. What a most frustrating conversation. It's definitely not worth the drive for snacks only. That's a real shame they limit us patio guests to snacks only. :( read more

Spencer is a restaurant that frequently pops up in conversation when you're asking for recommendations of restaurants in downtown Ann Arbor. For a recent girls brunch, one of the members of our group recommended it. Not all of us had been, so we set the date, and met there for a tasty meal together. Notably, the place doesn't open until 10 AM on weekends, and make sure you're prompt! I didn't realize that and got there early to grab a table, but there was already another patron waiting outside of the door when I got there. At 10 on the nose, the door opened, and we ran in to grab a spot. Order at the counter, grab a number (actually a letter at this place), and your food will be brought out to you as it's ready. I decided on a hot coffee and charred sweet potato. As we waited for our food, we chatted and enjoyed the inviting atmosphere as the place filled up. My food was last to arrive, and since we waited for everyone to be served before we ate, it was the perfect temperature. Ingredients were fresh and flavors were on point, with nothing overpowering anything else. This place is delicious, but it's pricey. My coffee and meal was almost $20 before tip, so plan accordingly. The only thing that really irked me on our visit had to do with payment. My party had several people in it and after I ordered, the cashier told the girl behind me that she would just put everything on my tab. Thankfully said girl was in my party and let me know, but I was pretty perturbed that they wouldn't bother to tell the person whose card they were starting the tab on what the plan was. When it came time to pay we actually were able to pay separately, so I'm not even sure why my friend was told that. I'm told that this place has a great dinner, and that the ambiance is especially nice in the summer, so I'll plan a return visit when the weather warms up! read more

Spencer - Charred Sweet Potato - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Finally after many years of wanting to try Spencer, we managed to wander in around 6pm on a Friday and were immediately seated. Two entrees, a charcuterie board, and a bottle of Chardonnay later, we were merrily on our way to see a movie at the State. The menu changes all the time from what I understand, so I don't know if details on our selections are helpful, but the sweet potato pierogis were the star of the meal. A delicious cream sauce, salsa verde, and lightly dressed, zesty greens all complimented the comforting dumplings perfectly. It's hard to beat a clam dish, especially with the depth of flavor the broth drew from the sausage and the perfectly cooked gnocchi. I had to resist slurping the buttery broth at the end of the meal. The charcuterie board was fine, two very nice cheeses but we were unimpressed by the salami, which lacked flavor. A delightful bottle of a crisp Chardonnay was the perfect accompaniment to a wonderful meal. I wish they were still open for lunch or I'd be here more often! read more

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Spencer is one of the most incredible restaurants in Ann Arbor hands down. It's obvious that the chef so thoughtfully and skillfully uses seasonal ingredients and the outcome is always superb! Everything on their menu is guaranteed to be delicious! We went for their fixed price patio event and both me and my dining partner were absolutely blown away by every dish. Every dish was so unique and thoughtfully created and the presentation was beautiful! This is a perfect place for date night or a special occasion dinner. Spencer is also an excellent wine store so you can bet that their staff always has exceptional wine suggestions for wine pairings with your meal! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming there. I've never had a poor experience dining at Spencer. read more

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Unassuming at first glance, this place is a pleasant surprise. The wines are the best selection in town. No kidding! The food is unique and perfectly plated. The staff is wonderful. The toilet is cute. Don't pass it up. read more

(08/31/23 - 10/01/23 menu & 02/01/24 - 02/25/24 menu) Loved: Beet salad (w/ fermented tomato, farm cheese, rye, dill), Grilled shrimp (w/ pepper romesco, hazelnut), Grapefruit (w/ kohlrabi, stracciatella), 'Marcella prefers tagliatelle' pork bolognese Liked: Pole beans (w/ onion yogurt, walnut salsa verde), Corn spätzle (w/ mushroom, brown butter, gouda), Caraway donut (w/ creme fraiche, raspberry), Castelfranco (w/ pistachio, preserved lemon), Amaretti bonet (w/ soft cream) Wouldn't get again: Seeded bread + summer pickles read more

When it comes to restaurant recommendations, Spencer is the name on everyone's lips. Seriously. Without fail. Every. Single. Person. Has told me that Spencer is the best restaurant in town. So when it came to our first date night in Ann Arbor, this was my first choice. However, I was a little concerned that my partner would veto our maiden voyage, because the restaurant doesn't offer table service. As far as I'm concerned, I love counter (service) culture. What I like less is waiting behind a couple of people who are doing what feels like an extensive wine tasting, complete with sharing stories of their recent travels with the fellow behind the bar, before I can place my order. However, given the quality and value of the food, I'm willing to overlook a few minor grievances. The food was outstanding. We arrived hungry, I might even say famished, and split just three plates. All of them were vegetables. I had a pilsner on draft. She had a delicious cantaloupe shrub. Including tax and tip, we walked out of there for $62. And I was full enough that not only did we leave without dessert, but I didn't even have room for a slice of Joe's as a nightcap. No, I don't have a pizza problem. Thank you very much. Actually, I found the desserts to be quite tempting, but so was the outside seating. And after eating a relaxingly paced meal of three plates on the hard picnic bench, I didn't have the stamina to sit any more. The chairs inside look a bit more comfortable. I'm looking forward to finding out next time. I'm not sure it makes much sense to linger on the delights of the food, since the menu changes all the time. But what I can tell you is that the plate of roasted delicata squash with labneh, chimichuri, peanuts, and apple just completely blew us away. It was the best thing I've eaten in a long time. The pepper panzanella was also fantastic. Our order of pole beans with a puttanesca sauce was quite good, but didn't quite have the same wow factor. We did not order the cheese or the charcuterie, but their curated selection was impeccable. It included some of my favorite bites ever. However, I wanted to sample as many dishes from their kitchen as possible, so the La Quercia Tamsworth prosciutto will just have to wait. Luckily, in A2 you can pick some up at Zingerman's when the desire strikes. Right. So three small plates. Mostly vegetables. And they filled us both up. How? It's the miracle of the oil. And Spencer uses the good stuff. It's fantastic, if filling. The only thing I might wish for is a little bread to drag through the remaining bits on each plate. Good manners be damned. Perhaps, there is a way of ordering a side plate of bread. We were told the levain in the panzanella was made in house. So perhaps there is hope of convincing them to sell us a few slices. Ultimately, what I love about Spencer, is that it proves that great food doesn't need to be expensive. You can have remarkably bright and bold flavors, with quality seasonal ingredients, prepared by expert chefs, using time intensive preparations, and walk out for about $30 a person. Of course, if you wanted to live large, you certainly could do that too. Some of their wines looked exquisite. So now, I find myself joining in the chorus of everyone else who highly recommends Spencer. It's truly going to be hard to try any place else downtown now that I've seen what they can do with seasonal produce. But I'm glad I found out early, because it means many more incredible meals to come. read more

This is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. If you go, definitely do the set menu! I've never been disappointed! Friendliest staff, pretty casual, home run food, and overall great night out. The wine tasting nights are also so fun! Very affordable, and the people you meet there are great! read more

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We came last night with a large group and had a really fun time! And lucky for us, they happened to have enough seating at that particular moment. We decided to try everything they have on their current (rotating) dinner menu. Service is very quick and nonfussy, food is delish, and the atmosphere is pretty cozy but also lively. I noticed that their dishes tend to lean toward the tangy/pickled side, which I think it good for balance but I'm mentioning this as a warning if you are not usually a fan of tartness in your savory foods. Pictures included below! read more

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Not sure why I never wrote a review for Spencer, but it's consistently the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. Do yourself a favor and forget the tired Main street steakhouses! Spencer is a great place to seek out for brunch, dinner, casual dining or a celebration. Love the seasonality of their menu and the delicious, balanced, flavorful, comforting dishes, made with love. Also great selection of reasonably priced wines. read more

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This place is always busy, that's why we came on Saturday morning at 10 when the restaurant just opened. They don't have much seating available, sometimes it would be crowded and noisy. Regarding their menu, it changes frequently. You always can get something different and refreshing. I love their ingredients, always fresh and delicious. Menu is not always easy to understand, and staff is very helpful and friendly to answer your questions. I gave them three stars because I think it's pricey and portions size is too small. I probably will not go back for a while. read more

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If you want to go out for a nice meal, Spencer is where you need to go! Friendly and knowledgeable staff, mind-blowing food, and a wonderful local feel. We came for one of the pre-set menu dinners, and I loved how they gave us a little intro to the meal, why they felt certain flavors worked well together, where the ingredients actually came from (all local!), and how it was cooked. They also have a nice wine selection, and Steve gave us a great recommendation for our meal. I will absolutely be back, and hopefully can make it for a Sunday wine tasting sometime, too! read more

Had dinner here for the first time, and certainly wasn't disappointed! There's not much seating, and by 6:30 it was pretty packed, so come early! You have to order at the counter, and the lines can get pretty long. I got the potato tostones and the ramp & burratta mezaluna. The menu can be a bit vague with its descriptions, but both were absolutely delicious. The potato tostones were roasted potatoes topped with Finnish mustard, dill, thin slices of pickled carrots, and some sort of fruity spread--maybe fig. They were wonderfully tangy, creamy, and sweet. Totally worth it. The mezaluna was half-moon-shaped pasta filled with mozzarella, and topped with fresh ramp (wild onion leaves) and a chunky sort of pistachio pesto. I had expected a stuffed pasta dish like this to be very heavy, but in actuality the ramp made it feel very light and not at all too rich. Bonus point: I felt great about actually eating fresh greens! This was a great experience, and I'm definitely going to come back to try their desserts soon! read more

Spencer - Smoked potato tostones. - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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