This is probably the most hipster restaurant I've been to in Ann Arbor, which I'm realizing is not at all a bad thing. I had the pleasure of trying the following: Cheese board - you can never go wrong with cheese so I have no real complaints, but the cheese choices did not seem all that unique and new. Radicchio & celery, tarragon, parmesan & deep-fried pullet egg - too much on the bitter side, but i was pleasantly surprised by the fried egg, which was super tender and had an almost soft tofu-like texture Tartine w/parma & saba - very flavorful, savory and sweet (closer to the sweet side) Beet, yogurt sauce, panelle - This was probably one of my favorite dishes - the yogurt sauce had a curry(?) ish flavor, which was super interesting. I normally don't like beets, but this dish almost made them addictive. The flavor combination of the yogurt, olives, beets, and herbs, there was never a boring bite. Tagliatelle di zucca, red onion agrodolce & orange pangratatto - This too was tied for favorite dish. The sweetness from the onion contrasted with the perfectly cooked tagliatelle really made the flavor of the dish pop. Just a tiny bit too much salt, but otherwise, great. Overall, all the dishes were great, but I'm docking one star given the price (I spent almost $40) for the small portion sizes. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Spencer - great service, great food, and great flavors. read more

I came here once with my sister. The food is fine in that everything is well cooked and the presentation is nice. It is a tapas-style restaurant where you get multiple small plates. I don't recall exactly what we ordered but there was at least one meat dish and one salad. The salad was alright though a little on the bland side. The meat was good. Overall, the restaurant is overpriced and portion sizes are small. I don't think the amount of flavor you're getting here is worth the price. I've found that in some farm to table restaurants that emphasize fresh ingredients and so on the freshness comes out more than what I saw here. In addition, Spencer is way too crowded. You'll be bumping elbows with the other diners on your bench. read more

Menu is concise, very unique and changes every single week. Tried 2 dishes that day, they were both on point. Flavor is something they really pay attention to, and that's usually what I look for in a restaurant. Flavor, unique tastes. The beverage menu isn't the best. I would just eat there and head out to a different coffee/drink place. The place is simple/minimalist and clean. Will def go there again Enjoy xo read more

I came here on a Saturday night in late August expecting a wait based off of the Yelp reviews, and was pleasantly surprised to be seated immediately (party of two). The atmosphere is a little weird--after you're seated a member of your party has to go back inside and wait in line to order (no table service), which took quite awhile. Not having to sit alone for awhile and having to get up every time you need more water would be nice, especially at a place this pricey. The bill for our party of two was slightly over $100, and only one of us had wine. The food MORE THAN makes up for any of the weirdness with the service (though a positive on the service is that the person bringing the food to the people next to us explained the origins (farm, etc.) of each dish as it came out, which I wish our server had also done!). The trout was to die for. The chickpeas and seafood were also good. I also highly recommend the homemade bread! Overall, great farm-to-table dining that was the best meal I've had in a long time. read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Superb, meticulously prepared food perfect for those who value quality over quantity. I love the farm to table concept, and it's definitely reflected in the taste. The schnitzel was perfectly tender, juicy, and paired well with the side salad. While the salad was served with a pungent mustard and mostly contained vegetables I wouldn't eat regularly, Spencer has this magical ability to just make things work and I found myself enjoying every bite. Just wish that portions were bigger... read more

Spencer - Schnitzel with side fennel, parsley, carrot salad and homemade mustard (portion for 2) - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Went for the first time last night. Thought it was outstanding. Sat at the bar and had white anchovy and orange salad to start followed by smoked trout. White anchovy salad was so good I asked for recipe and ordered a second serving for dessert. Trout was very good as well. Would definitely return. read more

This would be a top restaurant in Portland, San Francisco, NY or LA. It's totally trendy and cozy and fun. Small menu, but we tried basically everything on it and all of it was divine. So flavorful, fun, great ambiance -- love how the seating is first come, first served. Those eggplants - yum! That fish - Heaven! read more

Best food in town. For real. It ain't cheap, but it is so very good. This is what happens when people who really care and know about food open a restaurant. No corners are cut when it comes to ingredients, and it seems like (almost?) everything is organic and locally sourced. From the sides (roasted delicata squash with amazing dipping sauces was recent fave) to mains (stuffed cabbage rolls, whole roasted fish...) I've always had superlative meals here. Someone is clearly paying close attention to the wine list filled with interesting wines at all price ranges. The cheese selections are also top notch. Soup. Did I mention the soups.? This place is a gem... Just go! They do pick-up and delivery (in A2) during pandemic, so support this local treasure as often as you can. You will not regret it. read more

creative, contemporary, farm-to-table style food. absolutely delicious. the menu is small but incredibly curated and quite unique. read more

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Oh my deliciousness! Each time I eat here it wows and pleases. So fabulous! Everyone should experience the amazing freshness and flavor packed into every bite! read more

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Came for a birthday dinner with friends. This place is so cute and the food is amazing. Very creative and changes all of the time. We had the whole trout which was fantastic and the other small plates were lovely as well. Sat outside and the atmosphere is incredibly charming. Great wine selection. Pricy but so fun and definitely one of the best dining experiences in Ann Arbor. read more

Really mixed feelings here. It's a short seasonal menu that updates frequently with some small and large plates. I've been three times; first visit absolutely loved it, great food, great service and I left wondering how Ann Arbor went so long without this place. Last two visits I've been disappointed and left food on the plate. That literally never happens. I'm hoping it's just the seasonal menu, but with so many other good options in Ann Arbor, not worth the gamble for me. read more

We were in Ann Arbor for a long weekend and this was my favorite meal. Great atmosphere and delicious food. We had roasted cauliflower with lentils, creme fresche, and plums- fantastic! We had a nice bottle of wine, reasonably priced and the cheese board. I would suggest not going starving since the portions are smaller for their pricing. Friendly service and nice space, my only complaint would be that the counter service isn't entirely efficient when they're as busy as they were when we got there. They did a good job accommodating everyone though- and overall it was a lovely experience! read more

My family of 3 had scored a table for dinner and had very high expectations because of the price and difficulty in getting a reservation. It's a set price of $75 per person before drinks. I expected so much more. We got homemade pretzels, beet salad, a shrimp salad and pirogies. Dessert was one scoop of ice cream to be shared by all. Another thing is that you share your table with strangers. That was a surprise. I felt bad for the table next to me when 5 people were squeezed into a table meant for 4 at best. I'm glad I experienced the restaurant and enjoyed the presentation about our meal. read more

I told the waiters I'd like to move in and die here. Just that good. I believe French food can't hold a candle to the best American food & this is exactly what I'm talking about. American chefs are so versatile & so creative. Every bite was magical & absolutely perfectly executed in a way that could truly only be American. Son said it'd be worth driving back to Ann Arbor from Chicago just to go here again. That good. The wine was fantastic too. Service was great. A+++++ read more

Been here 20+ times and I can still say I've never had a bad meal. Superb selection of wine, cheese and homemade dishes. I'll keep coming back and I'll keep recommending it to others, just don't take my spot. read more

This is one of the most unique wine and food restaurants. The menu changes daily and the wine selections are many. The food is delicious with all the dishes being shareable. The staff is above pleasant, professional and welcoming and knowledgeable. I look forward to visiting them for brunch. read more

We've heard good things about spencer and came for dinner on a weekday. Loved the vibe right away, with bottles of wine stacked up on one side (which all can be purchased with dinner) and the big windows in front. Casual feel, you order at the counter but it's clear that a lot of thought goes into each plate and everyone is very knowledgeable about each ingredient in the menu. We got a bottle of rose (from Greece) which was perfect - light, bubbly, not too sweet. The cheese and meat plates are delicious, but what stole the show was the carbonara. The egg yolk in the middle adds such richness to the scapes and what tasted like bacon bits. Also highly recommend the heirloom tomatoes and lamb with eggplant. Can't wait to come back (and next time two orders of the carbonara) . read more

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I love Ann Arbor but this is getting ridiculous. Apparently you can charge outrageous prices for mediocre food as long as you put some local microgreens on top and people will give you five stars. You can have lunch at a Michelin star rated restaurant in Chicago for the same price and yet most reviewers here think that Spencer is the best thing ever. I've been there for lunch and two Sunday night events. In all instances they brought out food that any reasonably competent home cook can do. Either up your game or cut prices by 40%. read more

This is the best, most diverse menu in Ann Arbor. It upsets me that they constantly put things on the menu that I know I'll hate, then I order them only to find they are insanely delicious. Everything. Is. Great. Every. Time. If you have a problem with communal seating or ordering at a counter, good, I won't have to see your ugly face there while I'm scarfing a plate of random root vegetables that must have been pulled from the rich soil of the moon. Because it's out of this world, get it. Every meat entree is described like something my least favorite aunt would make, but it's like drilling a small hole in your skull and injecting it with computer duster. Because it will blow your mind, get it. Also, their wine selection is a work of art. Also, the staff is super friendly and know their biz. read more

Great atmosphere Great wine selection Food is fantastic, wish they had more vegetarian options (some of the sauces contain fish sauce), portions are small--we usually only come for pre dinner snacks. Great staff read more

This was my first time coming to Spencer, and it was amazing!! On a Saturday night, it was pretty packed since the place is so small, but the hostess kept us comfortable while we waited. We were given olives, and although we are not huge olive fans, these were delicious. The menu is small and changes frequently, but that's what makes Spencer special! They clearly put lots of thought into each dish -- despite not knowing what half the ingredients were (so fancy!), each dish was amazing and carefully curated. There were many different components to each dish, the flavors and textures complementing each other perfectly. Not to mention their beautiful plating. We were glad we each ordered different dishes, because they were certainly made for sharing. Though the portions seem small, the flavors were rich and we went home satisfied! Spencer may be on the pricier side, but I would easily recommend this restaurant to anyone for a fancier occasion. I'm sure every menu item is delicious and worth the cost. read more

Every once in a while, you have an eating experience that reaffirms your belief in good food. Being in Ann Arbor for a year an a half now, I was kinda getting in a culinary rut-- yeah I've tried all the establishments and famous eateries,but I crave something fresh, new, and brave. Enter Spencer. Came here on a Saturday for lunch (they are only open from 11-3pm, for the time being) They just opened on 10/21/2015, but it was still pretty busy. We looked at the menu and ordered everything. Yes, we literally ordered every food option they had on the menu that day. I will attempt rank my favorites with a brief description: 1. Chicken Kale soup. This is the perfect dish for me. Veggies, protein, herbs, all mixed to perfection. Not too salty, but just savory enough to hit the spot on cold Michigan days and make you feel better the rest of the day. 2. Mac and Cheese with bacon jam. This is a phenomenal dish if you like your Mac and Cheese on the creamier side, rather than sharp. Breadcrumbs were fresh and provided great texture to the dish. 3. beets with pears, cheese, and nuts. I freaking love beets, so when you mix all these ingredients together, you cant go wrong! 4. grilled cheese. Grilled cheese, by definition, doesn't digest easy for me. However, with caramelized onions and hi quality Landaff cheese, twas well worth it. 5. shaved brussel sprouts. This is a light salad with great flavor. It was a little too light for me, but it was the favorite dish of 2/4 of my eating companions 6. Carrots with tahini. I loved this dish. carrots were tender AF and the bee pollen gave the dish a really unique texture. 7. Fennel salad. Again, a really light salad with great flavor. I am not a fan of fennel, but I enjoyed it! Notice how not one of these dishes were negative. Everything is a winner! This place uses fresh organic ingredients and the chef has mastered bringing out the essence of the ingredients. All the staff are super friendly and struck up personable conversation with us. When they noticed our mac and cheese was taking longer to come out, they gave us a free carrot dish. I will definitely be back, and this is my top recommendation if you are in Ann Arbor and you are looking for a light lunch spot that serves delicious food! BROTIPS: **Be warned-- getting solely a salad for lunch at this place is unlikely to fill you up, especially if you are a big eater like me. ** Grilled cheese, Mac and cheese, and soup options can fill you up **they make most of their food in batches, so this is also a good spot of you are looking for a quick meal. The only dishes that takes a while to come out are the grilled cheese and the mac and cheese. **Again, only open from 11-3 for now **must fetch your own water and utensils, but they will bus tables **Vegetarian friendly read more

The food was good, but I thought it was overpriced for what it was. Most small plates are $10-15. They recommend 1.5-2 per person, but I'm not sure that would be enough if you're hungry. Because I'm a grinch, I opted out of the family style ordering and just ordered one of the more substantive plates, the pear and ricotta triangoli with walnut pesto ($19). It was delicious, but a very small portion for $19. Fortunately I wasn't that hungry, but I think if I had been hungrier, it wouldn't have been enough. read more

I was finally able to go for the first time on a recent Friday night, and I'm in LOVE with this spot! The one time that I had made an effort to come out to Spencer during the winter, they were unexpectedly closed. I've heard that it gets busy, so my friend and I waited until we finished our finals to make sure we'd be able to afford a long wait if need be. Despite our preparation for a long wait, it only ended up being a few minutes until we were seated. My friend and I got a cozy spot by the bar, and we ordered marinated olives, a spring lettuce salad, and the bistro steak with broken hush puppies. The highlight of our meal was definitely the bistro steak -- which was incredible. We also tested out the "surprise me" feature for their wines, for which you get to pick between a surprise red or white wine to pair with your meal! I was catching up on conversation with my friend, but it was great watching Steve interact with the customers and share the story of him and his wife (who was the chef in the kitchen whom I believe opened the restaurant with him). The food was wonderful and it was definitely the kind of spot I'd want to go back to if I wanted to treat myself to a nice meal with a friend or a significant other. I'm excited to go back soon and try out their brunch menu the next time I'm there! read more

The first thing you need to know about Spencer is that there is no hostess or waitstaff. If you are expecting a corporate orthodoxy that includes "Hi my name is..." and "How is everything here..." this is simply not your place. Walk in and grab a couple of chairs. "Chow Hall" style seating--connected tables with various groups occupying them like a catholic church fish fry--is the way its done here. Menus are floating about, so find one and read carefully (as the offerings change daily) and place your order up front with the guy behind the counter. You can grab your own water, silver and napkins on the shelves by the front. The first time I went, I must admit all this self-service felt a little...Ikea, but if you are making a mistake if you focus on this. Look around. The interior is simple, but well done. The table arrangement means there is more room for diners. The shelves are stocked with a very carefully edited roster of wines. The iPad replaces a cumbersome, expensive Point-of Sale system, and you sign easily with a whisk of your index finger. The table markers are vintage alphabet flash cards. The guy who made your food delivers it with a full explanation available as to what you are eating, not because he has rehearsed, but because he simply KNOWS. The focus here is on food. The most mundane ingredients are carefully considered, and menu items are, if not crafted, then chosen with a real sense of purpose. Spencer gets rid of all the restaurant clatter and has managed to create something that feels like a culinary pop-up speakeasy with a touch of familiar New York deli. The knowledge and effort put forward here is tangible, but it never feels exclusive. Even Zingerman's feels a little stuffy next to this place. Spencer is both hip and humble, and all they ask from you is to simply notice what you are eating. (...and of course, to come back--which I have--and will continue to do!) read more

The gf and I stopped by Spencer's for brunch and was greeted by a cute open style restaurant tucked away from the busy main street. The service was great, the food tasty, but I left feeling like I had missed something. We ordered the pear prosciutto arugula salad, which was a good combination of sweet, salty, and fresh flavors, and the meatball plate which came with three delicious meatballs on a bed of tomato sauce accompanied by three small pieces of toast. However, the portions were pretty small and the bill came out to $25. While I usually don't shy away from paying for good quality food, I had a feeling that I would have to spend big to make sure I wouldn't go home hungry, so I let the gf eat most of the food. She certainly was happy with the two dishes, but it just wasn't the place for me. read more

Spencer - Pear prosciutto arugula salad - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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What a gem! Went to Spencer for lunch and it was wonderful! Had the carrot soup and charred broccoli both were amazingly fresh and tasty. I can't believe the care and time that is put into the food and ingredients. It's refreshing! Can't wait for dinner service to be open and looking forward to the Sunday Supper Club. What a unique and exciting addition the the Ann Arbor food scene. read more

I have only been here once but my first experience was good. Go on Mondays for $15 off all bottles of wine. Both of their cheese boards are pretty good too; probably my second favorite in town. The rest of the menu items looked pretty interesting/different. I plan on going back to give those a try. Be aware that it is a counter service place so you won't have a typical experience of someone waiting on you if that's what you're looking for. read more

Far and away the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. Wonderful people, creative and delicious food, adventurous drinks, and a great friendly vibe.

I am not surprised this place is still open in this town where anything resembling food goes. Sorry but, I won't serve this food to my pet. It was the worst experience at a recommended restaurant for my partner and I. Apparently, this is Cali sort of cuisine. Poor place or simply not my taste. Good for folks who like it. read more

I loved this place. Charming decor and the staff was very friendly. We had a cheese board with three wonderful local cheeses. The waiter brought out the board, explained the story of each cheese and made some suggestions on how to maximize the "experience". The dessert was an icebox with blueberry lavender jam, and Meyer lemon. It was divine! I will definitely be back! read more

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Their lunch menu is very limited, and I am never a sandwitch person but oh boy do they know how to make sandwitch! Tried the pork and grilled cheese. Both are really delicious. Bread are so crispy and very buttery, and the flavor was spotted on. The pork one has sweet pepper and onion, which tie the whole thing together. Grilled cheese has a taste of dejon mustard. Kind of surprising but totally delicious. The only complaint I have is the bread is too greasy. It tasted good but made mr worried aboutcalories. And their cookies are also really tasty. I prefer thr thumb jam cookie, it is very fluffy and soft, which melts in your mouth.Thr sea salt chocolate was good but too sweet for my taste. Will definetly try out their dinner menu next time. read more

Spencer - grilled cheese and cookies. - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

What a unique place! I'm not sure how long it will last in A2, so get in quick and enjoy the novelty! Everything is very fresh and locally produced using organic and sustainable farming. Flavors and food quality were off the charts. The owner helped us select the bottle of wine my friend and I downed over a pleasant hour + just catching up in the charming space. Our cheese platter was perfectly matched with pickles, mustard and bread slices and the wine was a great complement. read more

Spencer's was one of our favorite restaurants pre-COVID and has remained such through COVID. They do a wonderful job putting forth the most creative weekly menus that incorporate local, seasonal ingredients. If you want the highest quality food from a place that treats its staff and local farmers well (I say this, because Spencer is more expensive than many other restaurants in the area), then I absolutely recommend Spencer. Abby cooks in a way that is very comforting (whenever we pick up food from them, it feels like we're picking up food from an insanely talented friend). read more

Delicious food but if you only order one plate you leave starving! The wine choices, based on the muscadet, were terrific. Strolled next door to Roos roast and had the best capuccini. read more

Spencer - New American Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Terrible if you have any dietary restrictions. Everything is premade, which is kind of concerning on its own. Upon hearing of my own restriction, they offered me half a grapefruit and said it was 'amazing'. Looks pretty good for normal people though. read more

The food was just OK. The cashier was a total snob in her attitude. Will not return.

My wife and I decided to explore Spencer for lunch today. Very unique and pleasant atmosphere inside, staff is very friendly and informative. We had the Grilled cheese with pesto and roasted squash and all we can say is OMG can we have another!! Accompanied by a glass of Chenin Blanc and cookies for dessert. We will definitely be back to try the dinner menu. read more

I don't live in Ann Arbor, but I lucked out in that my manager does, and he recommended this restaurant as a place to try. This restaurant is very unassuming from the outside. I have probably walked by it several times, and never noticed it existed. Boy was I missing out! We went here after the liverpool vs manchester soccer game, and expected to wait. We were surprised to be seated right away. The seating is family seating, you sit at a table with other people, wherever a seat is available. We sat next to two couples who were out for the night. We lucked out again because they were lovely, and we spent most of the night chatting with them about food and coffee! Besides the people and the ambiance, we also enjoyed the food. We ordered the brie and goat cheese starters, and found both to be delicious. The goat cheese is made in house, and I would say was the better of the two cheeses. Next we had the kolrahbi salad, then the corn agnlolotti, fried chicken, and finally roasted eggplant. All the dishes were excellent, and it was fun to try a lot of different items. They change the menu every night, so I am excited to come in again, try new items, and stay for dessert! read more

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