Spencer’s Restaurant

Went to celebrate my wife’s birthday (Valentines Day) while we were in town. Everyone knew in advance it was her birthday, the hostess, the person who seated us, the waitress. Had an awesome meal, really excellent food, and after completing our desert we received the check.
We were both in shock. We hadn’t even received a cupcake with a candle in it. I stood up and went over to the waitress stand and told her I needed something to celebrate the love of my life’s birthday. You know, maybe a cupcake with a candle or something…
She came back and handed me two unlit candles. I was dumbstruck. We’d already finished the desert that came with the dinner.
I went back and said: «Look, you don’t understand. I want to celebrate my WIFE’s birthday. A cupcake and a candle, or SOMETHING…»
A while late she came back with a bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce and berries and a candle.
We ate it and left. Food was awesome. Prior to the ending, the service had been great. Needless to say, this put a damper on our enthusiasm and our celebration of the happy day.
I’ve never seen such clueless behavior. I mean I’ve gone to Black Angus and Claim jumper and never had to walk a server thru the minimum you do on someone’s birthday.
It was as if she was from another planet and wasn’t familiar with the concept.
Really too bad it marred an otherwise excellent meal.

Look up Spencer’s on Unilocal and you’ll find this restaurant to be highly rated. It has won many accolades in the Palm Springs area and rightfully so. Today we chose to have lunch there and let me just say it was wonderful all around. From the guys parking your car, the hostesses seating you, and the waitstaff attentive service, it came together without a hitch. Rudy explained the specials that were offered and took our order. We started with the Lobster potstickers that came on a bed of lettuce strips with three different dipping sauces. Great start. Then the freshly trimmed wedge salad with candied walnuts and genuine blue cheese crumbles setting the stage for our entrees. My lovely wife had the best ever meaty pork ribs with a super BBQ sauce and on this plate was a big bowl of creamy and cheesy macaroni, and green beans cooked el dente. My choice was the 10oz RibEye steak medium rare with roasted fingerling potatoes and seared tomato half. The steak was prepared perfectly and topped with savory butter. Freshly baked Bread rolls accompanied our meals and the iced tea was refilled more than once. To end our lunch we chose the three layer carrot cake. The cake was moist and decorated with a piece of colored chocolate wafer and it took no time for us to clean the plate. We recommend Spencer’s highly for fine dining experience and we will definitely return to Spencer’s the next time we are in Palm Springs.

I hate capers… Forgot to request the capers be removed from my Lake Superior White Fish dinner. I’m not quite sure what Spencers does to its sauce but the complete dish, unaltered, was simply amazing! Their caper sauce has changed my perception completely. Fish was perfect too. I love this place!

What an amazing place to have brunch on the patio! Beautiful outdoor seating with natural shade from the trees, and you get to listen to the birds singing.

On this beautiful night in Palm Springs I find myself at this beautiful restaurant with my beautiful wife and beautiful friends. What else could I ask for in such a setting. Well for starters a smaller table. This 6′ diameter round bohemoth of a table had the five of us sitting so far away from each other we had to send smoke signals to communicate. Add to that an old school live piano player; hearing any conversation tonight was not going to happen! Ironically, when I asked if they had a smaller table we could change to, they said yes, right next to the piano? With this geriatric crowd (of which we were part of) the acoustics issue was real and troublesome. So much the ravings of an old fart!
The food was excellent. We all had different salad starters that were very good. Each entrée was spot on also. The Dover sole, Mediterranean chicken, scallops were all just down right delicious. The service was excellent, so sans the noise abatement problem, I would say this is one of the better restaurants in the Coechilla Valley.
Where I think Unilocal is going with these ametuer yet genuine «Real People» reviews is the to rate our «whole dining» experience. That being said, all I could give this FIVE Star restaurant is THREE Stars (damn it), it deserves higher!

We went here to celebrate Valentine’s Day (didn’t do the V-​day set meal).
We had a very nice waiter who was knowledgable and super polite and funny. The atmosphere was excellent. It also happened to be the girlfriends birthday and the waiter had the piano player do a happy birthday rendition. Great atmosphere.
As for the food. The girl went with the choose your 3 dishes pre-​fix menu. The calamari was AMAZING. It’s enough for two people and I wouldn’t get any other apps (unless you want to go boxes). She had the short ribs and they were good, not great. We both thought they’d be normal short ribs but hey were wrapped and tasted almost like a stew. Not bad, but nothing amazing. However, the potatoes and veggies with it were delicious. The 3^rd part of the pre-​fix was dessert and she opted for the banana crime pie which was mediocre. The options for dessert seemed «so-​so» however I’m not a huge dessert guy.
I went with the KC steak and it came out a little rare-​r than I requested. No complaints tho, I can eat it still mooing! It was very well done and I think the price for it is very good. The one issue is it comes with truffle fries. I’d much rather have mashed potatoes or some grilled veggies. It seemed more «Pub-​ish» with the fries.
The waiter and the atmosphere really made this place. The food was also good, but I wasn’t blown away. Prices for a bottle of wine were fair as well and they had a HUGE selection.
Overall: A–
PS The girlfriend was blown away by this place so they’re doing something right, fellas!

We started with the French onion soup, which was AWESOME! The bowl was big enough for the two of us to share.
I had the Moroccan Chicken, which was very good. The portion was huge, two massive pieces, and I wound up taking 1 ½ of them home. It was awesome even cold the next day.
The ambiance is lovely – low lighting, pianist, comfy seating. This definitely ranks as one of Palm Spring’s best.

Circle around to the valet in the foot of the mountains at this private tennis club off the main strip of tourists and be ensconced with Palm Springs gentry. Recommended from a friend who lives here seasonally, we sought a comfortable lunch spot which was also dog friendly.
Lunch service runs until 2:30, and we arrived sans reservation at 2:15. «No problem,» said the hostesses who had us three wait for 10 minutes until a table became available this early February. We started at a high top and had our drink orders taken, with a bread basket delivered to the table. Service was consummately professional and friendly. My napkin fell off my lap, and as I was reaching down to pick it up, my incredible server whisked it away and brought me a fresh one. We tried a cucumber gin house cocktail and a campari orange sidecar. These were potent and surprisingly dry, just as I’d have it.
Rather than opting for the three course lunch special at $ 19.50, we ordered a’la carte. Since I’ve been carefully parsing my food calories with drinks flowing freely this vacation weekend, I chose the lobster gazpacho and a shrimp cocktail. This is haute country club fare. My dining partners had a lobster club and a chopped Cobb salad. All were California fresh and tasty. I’d have a shrimp cocktail as an appetizer for my last meal on earth, so I was intrigued by their indulgent $ 29 version. Four mammoth Pacific shrimp are served with a mustard aioli and a very zesty horseradish based traditional cocktail sauce. The plate was finished with a tiny salad of microgreens lightly dressed with truffle oil. Superb.
My friend’s dog Greta was treated equally well, as the server brought a bowl of water to the table for the pooch.
It’s not all about denial: I’d spied the mini dark chocolate mousse dessert as part of the prix fixe three course and said yes to a little indulgence. Yum.
The clientele are older and well-​heeled at this tony enclave. This is how the other half lives. I could get used to this.

I made reservations here for my client and I to meet before the noon hour on a Thursday. Parking options are valet or self park on the street which is limited spaces since the restaurant is smack of the middle of residential housing.
We opted to dine alfresco since it was a beautiful January day.
Our friendly waitress brought us our Arnold Palmer beverages and advised us of the specials of the day. I went with one of the specials — sandabbs and capers with lemon sauce, mashed potatoes and salad. Everything was presented gorgeously, tasty and the portions were generous to the point I took leftovers since peach cobbler dessert was included and delicious.
Heart Spencers for the wonderful quality, cuisine, atmosphere and service.

First I want to apologize for not taking any photos here, but it was at night and I didn’t want to be «that guy» snapping pictures of his food with a camera flash on especially with my colleagues. The place seemed very throw backish, like as it was back in the days of Sinatra, which was very unique and cool. You diff smelled old money here.
I ordered the 20 oz bone-​in ribeye steak, cooked medium rare. It was decent, but for sure not top notch. It tasted as if it wasn’t aged or marainted long enough. Only after I saw many Unilocalers reviews say the same thing. (I didn’t pay so I didn’t mind the somewhat bland taste ha!)
I paired the steak with a fabulous cab called Provactive, which was fantastic and complimented the steak well. Overall ambiance was cool and inviting, service was good.

Celebrated a birthday dinner last minute so the only reservation we could get was at 5 o’clock. We arrived shortly before five prior to the valet arriving so left our car out front and dropped the keys with the front desk. We were directed to sit at the bar as the staff hurriedly prepared inside and out. We enjoyed a tuna tartare appetizers while we waited for our table.
The outside area is really pretty, there was a wine event that evening on the patio with about 120 people but you wouldn’t know it because we were inside with an amazingly attentive waiter. My son was so impressed how he appeared and disappeared always at the right moment. The filet mignon just melted in your mouth, and the individually made banana cream pie was perfect. The double breasted free range chicken was moist, plump and plentiful. Also enjoyed the mushroom soup.
This place has it down, looking forward to outside seating next time and sampling more things off their extensive menu.
The patio is dog friendly if your dog has manners. They must stay under the table, no feeding the dog, and no barking.

$ 3 valet, but some street parking available… beautiful location against the desert mountain. minutes from the main palm springs downtown, but a drive… outdoor patio available and pretty lighting at night… dinner arrival…$ 13 glass of rose sparkling wine to start… browsing menu choices… service is relaxed and polite… setting is modern and clean… tables are situated bit close, so not much privacy… but, good for browsing platters on neighboring tables… soft warm bread and butter complimentary… starting with a three onion soup $ 9…a delicious piping hot bowl of french onion soup… gooey gruyère cheese melted top, garlic bread soaking in flavors, soft onions and delicious soup… very good onion soup… for the main, pork chop $ 23 and rack of lamb $ 38…tasty pork chop with lightly sweet fruity topping… bed of mashed potatoes and side of green beans… pork chop cooked slightly over and some chew… rack of lamb fantastic… bed of scalloped potatoes and same green beans… nice mustard herb crust and cooked to medium rare perfection… roughly $ 110 total for 2…

Took visitors here for a special lunch, and Spencer’s delivered. Kung Pao calamari was very good, tender and not too sweet. Cream of Asparagus soup had bits lobster or crab and was nice. My ahi Nicoise salad was lovely, with fresh tuna and a dressing that was not too heavy. It could have been mixed better. Service was attentive and the setting was wonderful. Expected the valet parking but was surprised by the line for the (single-​occupancy) restroom.

Visited Spencer’s Restaurant in Palm Springs for a wedding. It was really nice! The ceremony is in a beautiful garden area which overlooks the city. The cocktail hour was by the pool, and the recepton is in a large room nestled into the hillside.
Because this is a restaurant the food was great at the wedding. Overall it was a very fun wedding and I would like to go back to this restaurant for brunch on my next visit!

First, the outside seating is to die for. So perfect for a sunny Sunday brunch, even in November. (they have heat lamps)
We went for brunch. I do like sweet things with my breakfast, so if you also don’t, finding a breakfast item will be a struggle. Everything is sweet. I had to a la carte eggs, bacon, and toast. Everyone else got waffles with whip cream and fruit, banana French toast, etc. I’m sure dinner and lunch is great.

Sorry Spencer’s… You failed to satisfy. Disappointed for so many reasons.
I ordered my usual Old Fashioned and they gave me a fruity, sweet drink??? Then our server completely ignored us when we tried to get his attention. Finally, they replaced the drink but when we went outside to view the patio, the server came over and offered a paper cup to pour my drink in!
Gave this place 2 stars for the piano player and dessert. Food was nothing to write home about.
I will not be back

One of the highest rating restaurants in Palm Springs, so here we are! Very classic and old fashioned restaurant and piano bar, the piano play was entertaining yet still very soothing.
Got seated at a corner table in the back, perfect spot for a romantic dinner date. Started with bottle of sparkling water as usual, a lemon drop for me, Champagne for hubby, we were ready to enjoy a slow and nice little dinner!
Starters:
Table bread: liked the crispy ones.
Ahi tuna tartare: very fresh tuna, it was served with hot sauce and soy sauce, so yummy.
Entrees:
Special of the night Mahi Mahi with apricot and bok choy greens: the Mahi fish was fairly tender and flavoful, the apricot underneath was a little too sour for me. But still a creative nice dish.
Surf and turf with 8oz filet and lobster tail: hubby said it was the best surf and turf he has ever had! The biggest lobster tail we have ever seen for a very long time, it was tender and fresh, the filet was cooked perfectly to rare plus, the drawn butter and housemade steak sauce was bomb!
Sides:
sautéed spinach and asparagus: so flavorful and yummy.
Dessert:
20 yr tawny port and double espresso, the biggest pour of 20 yr old tawny I have ever had for only $ 12, it was a steal for sure!
The service was over the top, it was the perfect pace from the beginning to the end, we enjoyed our lovely dinner date so much. Definitely coming back next time we are in town!
Ps. Valet or street parkings.

This restaurant was highly rated on Unilocal and on Open Table. Surely 1500 reviewers can’t be wrong, right?
In my reservation, I indicated this was a surprise birthday dinner for my boyfriend and asked they help me make this a special one for him. I will say they did just that. The staff was aware it was his birthday and wished him a happy one. The menu included a special birthday note and the pianist played him a birthday song. I loved it!
We were instantly impressed with the décor and ambiance. I was so impressed with our experience so far. But then. the food came.
I had the special of the day which was a macadamia nut crusted sea bass served with sauteed spinach and scalloped potatoes. Initially, I enjoyed my dish but came to realize it wasn’t as flavorful as I had thought. I had to do the unthinkable… I had to add salt to my food!
The boyfriend had the 20 oz Bone-​in Ribeye steak with a side of Macaroni au Gratin and Creamed spinach. his go to sides every time he has steak at a high end restaurant. It was very presentable but just like my dish, no flavor at all. I’ve never salted my food so much in my life! By the way, the macaroni au gratin is their fancy way of describing basic mac & cheese made with cheddar cheese and elbow pasta.
For dessert, we ordered the Vanilla Crème Brulee which was mediocre. I really did appreciate the restaurant giving us a fancy bowl of ice cream with a lit candle for the birthday boy to blow out.
The service at first was very friendly and on point. We had reservations at 8pm which I assumed was sufficient time for the both of us to kick back and thoroughly enjoy our dinner. We loved sitting back with our glass of wine watching and listening to the pianist play some soft tunes in the middle of the restaurant.
Then 9:30pm rolls around and the lights come on and all we hear is chitter chatter amongst the staff. I truly think they forgot they still had patrons dining bc they were talking so loudly and unprofessionally. I felt rushed to leave but knew we had another good 30 minutes before they could kick us out. Then I got to thinking. maybe they were in such a rush to go home, they forgot to salt our food.
Well, on to the next fine dining restaurant we go.

Excellent! We have tried them all-​breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the bar. Each experience was first rate with premier service.
Our family stays at the Tennis Club once a year, and Spencer’s is part of the draw. I loved everything I have ordered, including their homemade bloody mary mix and hash browns on this visit. We enjoyed our meal on the tree filled patio with misters keeping it comfortable and
then wandered over to the Palm Springs Tennis Club adult pool and enjoyed the beautiful setting and cool pool even on a 110 degree day in July. Menus are available poolside also. Nice.

Great place for a date or group events as they have both indoor and outdoor seating, but depends on the weather. Our party of five females chose the place for a casual post wedding «shower», but the day we went it rained so outdoor seating was off limits.
There is valet parking for $ 2 but I saw quite a few people parking on the long street leading up to the restaurant. Once inside, it is dark with great ambience. There was a pianist playing throughout our meal. Good vibes~~please do tip the guy ;)
We had a three tier appetizer from which I only tried the calamari. It was slightly too sweet when paired with their sauce.
They have an extensive menu that can cater to most picky eaters I believe. We all opted for the business lunch $ 20 which is meant to be eaten within a 45 min time frame (perfect for working people.).
Salad: light & crispy. Very unique lettuce?
Potato soup: it was cold, but according to my friend it was tasty.
Flat iron steak: I asked for med rare, but got a dry, tough, and salty piece of med-​well steak. ate two strips only. TRUFFLE FRIES were awesome though! Stuffed my face with mine and other people’s…
Seared Ahi tuna: perfectly seared! Probably my favorite item there.
Dessert: some type of berry pie. Half the people didn’t eat theirs as it was too sweet for their liking. I thought it tasted like cherry/​peach pie?