Spencer

I usually don’t leave 5stars. Most excellent places are 4, but this place is exceptional. Went there about 1.5 months ago during labors day weekend with my boyfriend and his mom. Was so excited to try for a long time and it did not disappoint me! The presentation is fantastic, the talk they give for you is nice. The food, is of course so good. If you do 75 dinner option the portion is pretty huge, but it could depend on the time and menu, I guess? This is probably the only fine dining restaurant I can recommend to anyone who’d like to have a full experience and amazing dishes for special occasions. - and don’t forget grab some wines their selections are quite interesting even I don’t know much about wines could see how unique each wine is. Excited to visit them again for fall/winter menu!!

Superb! The food was creative and incredible - we especially loved the butternut squash ravioli with kimchi and the sausage with white beans. The menu was prefix and 75 a person, with immaculate service and generous portions. Perfect vibe to celebrate my anniversary with my partner. Note it's hard to get a reservation - you need to book as soon as reservations opened at the beginning of the month. October dining is indoors, which was a cozy vibe.

The best fine dining restaurant in Ann Arbor. The ingredients are super fresh and the flavors are nothing like what I’ve had before. Went there both in the fall and in the winter. I would say because they only use in season ingredients, there are probably more fresh vegetables and fruits in warmer seasons. Winter menu had lots of root vegetables. They change the menu every month so it’s worth going back too. The experience is not like typical fine dining because you sit right next to other customers. Food is served in a sharing style. It’s more like eating a nice dinner at someone’s house.

My boyfriend and I had a rare night off together and decided to book a reservation at Spencer. Time and time again, this places delivers the most unique, considered, and comforting dining experience in all of Michigan. Take it as a given that everything is made with love in house and seasonally sourced—we were literally sitting next to the farmer that grew the spinach for our butter bean dish. Likewise, the wine program is remarkable. A humble place in Ann Arbor has no right having bottles this good. The list leans natural, but there are plenty of choices for all palates and the staff is very happy to walk you through it all. Prices are more than reasonable—a steal in comparison to some of my favorite establishments in New York or Los Angeles. But simply focusing on the excellent food, wine, and local produce misses the overall point of Spencer. This is convivial hospitality at its finest. The communal tables and relaxed but attentive service allow for a rare sense of camaraderie when dining at this level of refinement. It feels like a dinner party among new friends, hosted by the absolute best chef you know, with outrageously good wine to match. And oh yeah, you’ve never had vegetables this good. Book a table, you won’t regret it.

Lovely evening outside being served with a fixed menu. I do agree that this is a 5-star experience, however, beware that it is super pricey and you may not make any adjustments. So, know what you are getting into ahead of time. Reservations are necessary and fill up extremely quickly, as there are not very many tables. Most of the dishes were delicious. We had the vegetarian menu designed for the month. The gnocchi and dessert were top notch. The hard beets, meh, but everyone has different tastes. It was quite enjoyable and the service was great.

Wonderful evening with spectacular food and great wine recommendations from our host.

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.

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)!