Frustrated by the priciness. We’ve been 3 times to give it a fair shake and we haven’t felt the service or the food merits the bill. The last time, we got the fixed price menu, two drinks through out the meal for one of us and one for the other and the price came to a staggering (for us) 200+ including tip. The $40 hold that is required to make a reservation isn’t a hold to be assessed if you miss your reservation, but an amount that is applied to your bill, which means if you have a $125 bill that is presented to you, in fact you have already spent $165 without tip and sales tax.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
Anne S
This mediocre review is because the restaurant provides insufficient choice. There is a prefix menu, and a very limited wine list. The space is small and has communal seating. The food is good and the service was fine, however, they added a 25% tip without asking us nor disclosing in advance that that is what would happen.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Martha
I will preface this and say the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fun. We arrived for an early seating, and were quickly served our salads, starters and wine (we tried an Orange wine that they offered, no taste test allowed so we winged it). Unfortunately we were not even halfway done with our salads, and they brought our main dish. We stated we hadn't finished our salads yet and our server shrugged and put our main entree down anyway. Although the entree was delicious, it became cold because we hadn't finished our salads and starters yet. We hadn't been there long so we were confused by the rush. We asked if he could reheat it and he said no (which I guess makes sense because of food contamination.) Anyway, disappointed we had a cold entree, and the server disregarded our wishes, which seemed completely unnecessary as the next seating wasn't for a long time. We spent around $210 for two vegetarian meals and a bottle of wine they recommended, which would have been worth it if things hadn't been rushed and cold.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Terry Reilly
Unpretentious fine dining. Attentive service. Great curated wine list, always changing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Julian _
Veryy, very spectacular wine bar and restaurant. The menu was robust and delicious. The wines were fantastic. Everyone working there was on top of everything and kind. Perfect experience.
Laura Eliza
Wow, one of the best and most intimate dining experiences we have had in Ann Arbor. We went and had their December menu and everything was divine. I love how they give you specific wine pairings to go with the menu, anywhere from reds all the way to sparkling. I can’t stop dreaming about the pistachio dark chocolate cake we had. By far the best thing I have ever tasted. We enjoyed the cozy vibe. Be prepared for communal seating and sitting at a table most likely right next to other people. But everyone was super nice and we even had opportunities to chat with those next to us which made the whole experience a fun communal setting, yet super intimate at the same time. Service was remarkable. We are planning to make this a monthly thing to go and try the menu every month. It felt truly like we were in NYC or Chicago, not A2 ( in the best way)!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chelsea Heptig
10/10 recommend making a reservation for the monthly dinner pre fix menu! Check the website towards the end of the month for the next month's menu & make your reservation quick as they fill up fast!
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best meal you’ll eat in Ann Arbor. Indeed it would not be an exaggeration to say you’d have a hard time finding a better place in New York or London - and I’ve tried. Abby’s cooking is always superb, always in season, always surprising and comforting at the same time. If she makes it, I will eat it, even if it’s something I’d normally hate. Yes it’s not cheap, but unlike a dozen other places in town where you’ll pay the same, you’ll leave feeling like you should have paid more. I’ve included pictures of the October menu and once again I can’t believe how I always think it can’t possibly be better than last month, but after years of coming for every menu, every month, I’m still charmed every time. This food is special. You’re not getting this somewhere else.I should also add that I’m not much of a wine drinker, but what I know about wine I owe to Steve, who makes choosing wine a delight. First, he provides a curated list with each menu, both by the glass and the bottle, and you can be sure whatever you choose it will pair beautifully with what you’re eating. But even better, he and the staff make wine fun and easy rather than intimidating. I’ve learned so much because I felt confident to try things; I know I won’t be steered wrong and I know I’m not being judged. We’ve even gone to the special wine tasting evenings and started buying wine to take back home.The atmosphere here is also amazing, which honestly doesn’t feel fair to other restaurants since the food and drink are already so superb. Every member of the staff is pleasant, friendly, and helpful. I haven’t felt like a local at many places in my life, but I’m truly always happy to see how everyone is at Spencer’s. That’s not just because we’ve come for years, it was that way from almost the first time we came. I love supporting this restaurant, not just because I love dining here, but becayse I care about the people, I want them to do well, and my life is richer because this wonderful place is part of my community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Biddle
I really like this place. Wonderful food on a rotating menu. Decent (small) beer. Larger wine selection. Fresh, local. Very knowledgeable servers and cooks.Vegetarian options: They seem to have many vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lisa Florida
Awesome service and a great atmosphere, with wines you can't get anywhere else in the area.
Massive fan of this restaurant. Arguably one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. The owners and chefs actually lived in San Francisco in the mission and worked at some of my favorite and renowned restaurants, pizzeria Delfina and mission cheese. Many of the wines were also sourced from a winery a 15 minute bike ride from my home in Berkeley. I love this place. I frequently see the owners at the farmers market too picking up food. My only wish is that their wine bar was open so I could easily get an amazing glass of wine.
Douglas Finch
Easily our favorite restaurant in town. When we travel around the country (NYC, SF, Detroit) we compare their menu to Spencer as our gold standard. (Spencer usually wins!) If you appreciate fresh, innovative, farm-to-table food, then this is your place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Elliott Reibert
Best dining experience my partner and I have ever had in Ann Arbor!
Matthew Aldrich
Our favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The rotating menu never disappoints and they simply have the best food and wine in Ann Arbor. We’ve been several times and have enjoyed every meal immensely. The owners seem like great people as well. Make your reservations early as they fill up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Leonardo D.
Our lunch experience at this establishment was simply delightful. From the moment we stepped in, we were warmly greeted and promptly attended to, setting a positive tone for our visit. The lunch menu, although small in size, perfectly complements the hip and vibrant atmosphere of the place. We savored the delicious focaccia of the day, accompanied by a refreshing beet salad and a side of olives, all beautifully paired with a glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The server went above and beyond, offering us helpful recommendations and displaying genuine kindness throughout our meal. We opted to sit outside, where the street was closed to create a charming outdoor seating area for all nearby businesses. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to both locals and visitors alike. I'm eagerly anticipating my return for a delightful dinner experience.
Frustrated by the priciness. We’ve been 3 times to give it a fair shake and we haven’t felt the service or the food merits the bill. The last time, we got the fixed price menu, two drinks through out the meal for one of us and one for the other and the price came to a staggering (for us) 200+ including tip. The $40 hold that is required to make a reservation isn’t a hold to be assessed if you miss your reservation, but an amount that is applied to your bill, which means if you have a $125 bill that is presented to you, in fact you have already spent $165 without tip and sales tax.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 2
This mediocre review is because the restaurant provides insufficient choice. There is a prefix menu, and a very limited wine list. The space is small and has communal seating. The food is good and the service was fine, however, they added a 25% tip without asking us nor disclosing in advance that that is what would happen.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
I will preface this and say the food was delicious and the atmosphere was fun. We arrived for an early seating, and were quickly served our salads, starters and wine (we tried an Orange wine that they offered, no taste test allowed so we winged it). Unfortunately we were not even halfway done with our salads, and they brought our main dish. We stated we hadn't finished our salads yet and our server shrugged and put our main entree down anyway. Although the entree was delicious, it became cold because we hadn't finished our salads and starters yet. We hadn't been there long so we were confused by the rush. We asked if he could reheat it and he said no (which I guess makes sense because of food contamination.) Anyway, disappointed we had a cold entree, and the server disregarded our wishes, which seemed completely unnecessary as the next seating wasn't for a long time. We spent around $210 for two vegetarian meals and a bottle of wine they recommended, which would have been worth it if things hadn't been rushed and cold.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Unpretentious fine dining. Attentive service. Great curated wine list, always changing.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Veryy, very spectacular wine bar and restaurant. The menu was robust and delicious. The wines were fantastic. Everyone working there was on top of everything and kind. Perfect experience.
Wow, one of the best and most intimate dining experiences we have had in Ann Arbor. We went and had their December menu and everything was divine. I love how they give you specific wine pairings to go with the menu, anywhere from reds all the way to sparkling. I can’t stop dreaming about the pistachio dark chocolate cake we had. By far the best thing I have ever tasted. We enjoyed the cozy vibe. Be prepared for communal seating and sitting at a table most likely right next to other people. But everyone was super nice and we even had opportunities to chat with those next to us which made the whole experience a fun communal setting, yet super intimate at the same time. Service was remarkable. We are planning to make this a monthly thing to go and try the menu every month. It felt truly like we were in NYC or Chicago, not A2 ( in the best way)!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
10/10 recommend making a reservation for the monthly dinner pre fix menu! Check the website towards the end of the month for the next month's menu & make your reservation quick as they fill up fast!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Marinated Castelvetrano Olives
I’m not exaggerating when I say this is the best meal you’ll eat in Ann Arbor. Indeed it would not be an exaggeration to say you’d have a hard time finding a better place in New York or London - and I’ve tried. Abby’s cooking is always superb, always in season, always surprising and comforting at the same time. If she makes it, I will eat it, even if it’s something I’d normally hate. Yes it’s not cheap, but unlike a dozen other places in town where you’ll pay the same, you’ll leave feeling like you should have paid more. I’ve included pictures of the October menu and once again I can’t believe how I always think it can’t possibly be better than last month, but after years of coming for every menu, every month, I’m still charmed every time. This food is special. You’re not getting this somewhere else.I should also add that I’m not much of a wine drinker, but what I know about wine I owe to Steve, who makes choosing wine a delight. First, he provides a curated list with each menu, both by the glass and the bottle, and you can be sure whatever you choose it will pair beautifully with what you’re eating. But even better, he and the staff make wine fun and easy rather than intimidating. I’ve learned so much because I felt confident to try things; I know I won’t be steered wrong and I know I’m not being judged. We’ve even gone to the special wine tasting evenings and started buying wine to take back home.The atmosphere here is also amazing, which honestly doesn’t feel fair to other restaurants since the food and drink are already so superb. Every member of the staff is pleasant, friendly, and helpful. I haven’t felt like a local at many places in my life, but I’m truly always happy to see how everyone is at Spencer’s. That’s not just because we’ve come for years, it was that way from almost the first time we came. I love supporting this restaurant, not just because I love dining here, but becayse I care about the people, I want them to do well, and my life is richer because this wonderful place is part of my community.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I really like this place. Wonderful food on a rotating menu. Decent (small) beer. Larger wine selection. Fresh, local. Very knowledgeable servers and cooks.Vegetarian options: They seem to have many vegetarian options.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Awesome service and a great atmosphere, with wines you can't get anywhere else in the area.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Massive fan of this restaurant. Arguably one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. The owners and chefs actually lived in San Francisco in the mission and worked at some of my favorite and renowned restaurants, pizzeria Delfina and mission cheese. Many of the wines were also sourced from a winery a 15 minute bike ride from my home in Berkeley. I love this place. I frequently see the owners at the farmers market too picking up food. My only wish is that their wine bar was open so I could easily get an amazing glass of wine.
Easily our favorite restaurant in town. When we travel around the country (NYC, SF, Detroit) we compare their menu to Spencer as our gold standard. (Spencer usually wins!) If you appreciate fresh, innovative, farm-to-table food, then this is your place.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best dining experience my partner and I have ever had in Ann Arbor!
Our favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The rotating menu never disappoints and they simply have the best food and wine in Ann Arbor. We’ve been several times and have enjoyed every meal immensely. The owners seem like great people as well. Make your reservations early as they fill up!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our lunch experience at this establishment was simply delightful. From the moment we stepped in, we were warmly greeted and promptly attended to, setting a positive tone for our visit. The lunch menu, although small in size, perfectly complements the hip and vibrant atmosphere of the place. We savored the delicious focaccia of the day, accompanied by a refreshing beet salad and a side of olives, all beautifully paired with a glass of Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. The server went above and beyond, offering us helpful recommendations and displaying genuine kindness throughout our meal. We opted to sit outside, where the street was closed to create a charming outdoor seating area for all nearby businesses. I wholeheartedly recommend this place to both locals and visitors alike. I'm eagerly anticipating my return for a delightful dinner experience.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5