Spencer

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%.

This is my favorite place for great food in Ann Arbor now. If only we could get more restaurants like this !

I expected decent tapas and to leave hungry and much poorer.
Food is excellent and new menu every two weeks means I can keep coming back.
Prices are okay, not cheap, but everything is very high quality.
And somehow I always leave stuffed.
Really cute with excellent staff.
Really a joy to dine here.

I have had the pleasure of eating here on three separate occasions and each time I’ve been treated to a delightfully delicious meal paired with equally great service. The food is fresh, flavorful, and locally sourced. The staff is knowledgeable and eager to suggest items from the menu based on your tastes. Certainly not the cheapest eat in town, but I’ve left each time feeling like I had gotten my money’s worth. Go here with friends. Take your date here. Go with your family or co-​workers. I doubt they’ll be disappointed. This is my new favorite place to recommend to out of towners looking for a special dining experience. Looking forward to going back time and again.

Spencer is new to the Ann Arbor restaurant scene (just about 6 months) and I really hope they make it! I love love love the whole concept, the space, the food, and the staff.
I waked in on a sunny Saturday afternoon & all of their tables were full (communal style seating) so I went to the bookstore & came back. I ordered the malted chocolate iced coffee and the prosciutto & fig grilled cheese. Coffee came out right away and it was AMAZING. So good. Can’t stop thinking about it! Grilled cheese was also good, made panini style.
Staff was so kind and helpful, even though it is a help yourself kind of place. Ingredients are high quality and the atmosphere is welcoming. For the sandwich and coffee, my total was $ 22 which is pretty pricy, but in my opinion, worth it!

I was looking forward to going to Spencer today based on the reviews, but it’s never a good sign when I spend about $ 12 (not including tip) and am still hungry when I am done with my plate. I was excited that it is a place that foregrounds fresh, local ingredients so I got the rotating ploughman plate (a take on an English breakfast according to one server) which featured the fennel and apple salad. The amount of salad I got was about ¼ cup, a few slices of cheese, a few pieces of salami, and an egg. And that’s it. For the money, I was expecting a portion which would leave me full. I probably won’t come here again, based on how pricey the portion sizes are. Yes, they are local and fresh… but I still should leave full based on the price…

If your a restaurant in Ann Arbor, why no call in orders? or online ordering? the plates are overpriced and just too small, just ridiculous what food in downtown AA is becoming.
A lot of time is wasted waiting in line on your lunch hour– food is very overrated by the folks here (they just don’t know)
Absolute waste of money… very dull and bland… nothing great at all but everyone flocks to the new spot
wait staff is sloppy looking but somewhat friendly but the arrogance of management is thriving
So if your want to look posh, go here! then after go get a real meal down the street

I want to crawl inside Spencer and live there. Eat all my meals there and then snuggle up next to the delicious cheese in the coolers at night and do it all over again the next day. Nibble a little cheese when I feel hungry and sip on a bit of wine when I’m parched. Yes, I think that would be a very nice set up, indeed!
So yeah. The food here is aces. It’s not an expansive menu but it’s wonderfully curated featuring seasonal offerings and what they’re feeling inspired by in the kitchen. I came for a post birthday meal with a good friend of mine and we hit the menu hard, sampling about 3 plates along with dessert and some cheese.
They’ve got an incredible cheese flight menu but my friend couldn’t do that much dairy and a whole cheese plate wasn’t going to work for just me (I mean I COULD do it, and Lord knows I WANTED to, but I decided to rein it in) so I asked if they could just do one cheese and they were nice enough to accommodate. We selected a lovely and mellow blue which was served with some bread and picked raisins and carrots. Excellent.
We also sampled the farm cheese dumplings, gravlox, a delicious cheese and lardon covered baked potato, and the vanilla pound cake with apricot compote and meringue. AJGKADJKADJKJGDK SO GOOD.
A stellar wine list, super awesome staff, and a casual atmosphere (order at the counter, grab your own plates and silverware, and take a seat at a communal table) make for one laid back but delicious dining experience. It’s definitely entering into my regular Ann Arbor dining rotation and it should be in yours too.

Delicious small plates! The owner and chef as well as the staff were all accommodating and helpful in educating us on the menu and ingredients.

One salad to rule them all. My partner and I decided to go to Spencer for a belated Valentines Day dinner and we weren’t dissapointed. We started with a cheese plate that included a nice variety of delicious choices, such as a decidant blue cheese/​chedder hybrid and young manchengo. We then shared a salad with fresh dill and cracked pepper and a cioppino of prawns with olive, Maine mussles and manilla clams. Everything was delicious. However, I have to say that the salad simply blew us away. It looked like a typical salad you can order anywhere, but the mixture of frisee and assorted lettuces was a sympathy of flavors. It highlighted how such simple ingredients, when pared properly, can be elevated to culinary perfection. One of the proprietors let us know that Spencer often offers workshops on salad dressing. I’m definitely keeping my eye on their website for that.
With that being said, as other reviewers stated, the restaurant atmosphere is casual and there is no waitstaff. You simply grab a menu and order at the counter. This may be too casual for some, but we liked how it highlighted the food. My only quibble about the meal was that the charcuterie on the cheese plate was not locally sourced. I would have liked to have seen more local products on the cheese board. Overall, it was a fantastic meal. We will be back.

Local farm-​to-​table and delicious!
I had been anticipating visiting Spencer for a few months since they opened in the past year.
There is no hostess or waitstaff and their menu changes each week. They aren’t open on Tuesdays and are closed between 3−5p.m. to end lunch and set up for dinner service.
Upon arriving, you can pick up a menu, look it over, and go to the counter. They give you a little table marker and find a seat in one of the many long picnic tables, or little tables near the window. Or you can sit at their bar. They had quite a lot of vegetarian-​friendly options (bonus for me!) and some unique sounding items.
During my particular visit, I got the Moroccan chickpea soup which was hearty, delicious and perfect on a cold winter day. I downed with a glass of their iced tea-​lemonade with rose water. The rose was a touch overbearing, but overall was a very refreshing drink. One of my coworker’s got their galette with lamb and another got a baguette sandwich with cured meats and cheeses. Both looked great!
The staff was so friendly and the space is quaint and charming. I’m looking forward to trying them for dinner and seeing what new things they introduce on their ever-​changing menu!

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!)

Went here with 2 friends yesterday, and the food was delicious!!! The roasted cauliflower was so so good, and the meat charcuterie was unique and tasty — each salami was something I had never had before. The prices were a little high considering you have to get up and get your own water, silverware, plates and napkins. It’s also very crowded so this can be pretty awkward if you’re in a seat where you have to squeeze by a bunch of people. I’m definitely someone who is willing to pay $$$ for a good dining experience, but Spencer doesn’t quite have the whole package, just really good food. This might be the ideal place for like apps before going for drinks or somewhere nicer for dinner since portions are small and good for sharing.

Lovely dining experience! Small but decent wine selection, super tasty small plates and a welcoming and informative staff. Small place with communal tables… Not to be missed!

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…

The thought and care that goes into the food at Spencer is unmatched in Ann Arbor and seldom seen in the Midwest (#sorrynotsorry). It’s clear in their ever-​changing menu that they value and use the highest quality of ingredients. I doubt Gordon’s or U.S. Foods is making deliveries here.
I’ve eaten here at least ten times since their opening and I’ve yet to be disappointed. The fact that they now serve a well curated list of beers, wines and ciders (!) makes this little gem the perfect place for date night… And weekend brunch keeps getting better and better.
I saw one complaint on here about high prices and if you can’t appreciate where your dollar goes here (thoughtful culinary artists, farmers, artisan cheese makers… etc) then keep walking to one of the Main Street venture venues up the street.
Eat here and eat here often. That is all.

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.

spencer is hella tight. That’s a little Bay Area slang for really good. See, Steve is a hometown boy who knows how to cook, and Abby is an SF transplant who also knows how to cook, and the end result is that they are cooking up some awesome small plates. The ingredients are fresh and seasonal. Good choice of beers. Great atmosphere. Friendly service. What’s not to like? This place is off the hook!

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.

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