West Chester Dish

17 Reviews So Far Newest First

1. Margaret – Dec 09, 2009

   When I first spotted this charming restaurant in the heart of West Chester a year ago, I decided to give it a try right away. It quickly became one of my favorite spots. The location is fabulous, but what really brought me back again and again was the food. I love seafood, and having relocated to the area from a Florida coastal home, my seafood expectations are fairly high. Each and every seafood dish I tried, as well as some delectable appetizers and crab cakes, was a delight. Sadly, on my most recent visits, things had changed. My entrees have been dry and tasteless, and the service some of the worst I have experienced. I did ask to speak to a manager, but was told that she was gone for the day. (At the height of the evening turnout, this seemed strange) I next asked, if the chef was also gone for the day. He was not, but further questioning revealed that the chef whose food I have so enjoyed (Dave Walti) is no longer there, having left November 5. Sadly, this seems to be an insurmountable loss. Not sure if the current situation is interim, but I doubt I will be back to find out.

2. Susie – Nov 14, 2009

   I’ve been to Spencebefore and had good meals, but my last visit might have been my last. We waited 1 hour for our table and once we sat down we waited so long that thehostess asked us if we had seen our waitress. They wereo out of EVERY beef entree and so I ordered the tuna rare specifically on thewaitress’ suggestion. We waited 40 more minutes only to have a dry overcooked piece of tuna. The only bright spot was my salad that had squash, chestnuts and pearl onions. Tasty but not worth the wait, poor service and mediorce food.

3. Jess – Jun 26, 2008

   Best restaurant in Dub-C hands down! Chef Dave is probably the most committed and creative chef in town! He cares so much about the food and your experience. He makes a point of visiting the tables to see how you meal is going. I love the smoked fish and chilled oysters. The bar is fun too. Lots of great beers and fun music and not stuck up at all. Very welcoming crowd. Good times.

4. Tracy – May 05, 2008

   I believe this was one of the first places I ever ate at in West Chester. I was blown away by the creativity, originality, and wonderful flavors that Chef David had coming out of that kitchen. Every time I go in there, there is something that makes me stop and pause when I look at the specials. This guy lives for flavor. I just wish I had more free time to get in and partake!

5. local chef – May 03, 2008

   I must say with great delight that Dave is the most talented chef by far in west chester, Davids food is both inovative and spot on with great techinque. My hats off to you Dave to bad the other so called restaurants in West chester havent thought about keeping the good chefs around.

6. Rosie – Apr 14, 2008

   The Spence Cafe is the best restaurant in West Chester by far! The chef, who I’m told has free creative range with the menu, creates a delicious variety of choices that is difficult for the average diner to choose from. No worries, everything I’m told by dining companions is so fabulous. You are safe in making your choice. For the vegetarians…the chef is happy to accommodate you and accommodate well! You will be pleased with an alternative to pasta. The food is excellent, the service great, and the music is top notch as well as the alcohol choices. You can drink from many countries in humble WC.

7. ATC – Apr 11, 2008

   I adore the crabcake sandwich, it has so much actual crab meat in it and really no filler! This is my mom and I’s special treat to celebrate for lunch since it can be a little pricey. I haven’t endulged in the desserts but they look heavenly! Also the service has always been great!

8. Brez – Nov 09, 2007

   Excellent place for lunch. The food is always terrific, particularly the turkey sandwich. Recently had the Ahi Tuna, which was delectable.

   The restaurant is also nicely laid out. You can have a conversation with your partner without feeling like everything is being overheard. I’ve been there in large groups as well and you don’t feel as though it gets too noisy or cramped.

9. John – Oct 26, 2007

   I’ve never eaten here, but I love the bar, and I think the music and atmosphere is one of the best in the city. My friends and I are a little above the age of the average college crowd, so being packed like sardines down the road at Kildare’s or Baxters doesn’t really appeal to us too much. Seems the slightly more mature atmosphere at Spence scares off a bit of the college crowd, which is fine by us.

   The barstaff and servers are friendly and attentive, the music is always wonderful, and I especially love seeing the Jefre Washington Band there.

   This place is great and I sincerely hope it stays that way. Kudos.

10. Jonesy – Oct 19, 2007

    I likey!

11. Jud – Oct 07, 2007

    My wife and I are regulars. Spence went thru an off period a few years ago, but has come roaring back and better than ever.

    Oysters– they don’t necessarily offer a wide variety of species as much as they do give you the most creative recipes.

    I think Spence has the most original menu in West Chester. Anything you order will be delicious and have a different twist that expands your palate without making you feel like your dinner was an experiment.

    Great service and atmosphere as well. They really take care of you and treat you like you’re their only customer.

12. Fran – Sep 26, 2007

    We have had yet another fabulous dinner at Spence!

    The ostrich tenderloin (special) was perfectly cooked, tender and delicious, served with a velvety cabernet sauce and a generous portion of chanterelles. The roasted baby red onions were sweet bites of rich onion flavor, with a slight crunch in the center–superb. My husband had the hanger steak with a red currant jus and roasted shallots. I was grateful that he did give me a taste!

    Sorry we were too full for dessert–Spence’s desserts are always terrific.

    Just the best food in West Chester! (And they have a charcuterie platter–that alone is worth a visit!)

13. Thomas – Aug 24, 2007

    Best food in West Chester hands down. They seem be able to blend the young with the …not so young and get away with it. The food is always excellent. Good looking servers who know what they’re doing. This place is well run.

14. Mary Beth – Aug 15, 2007

    Spence Cafe is one of my favorite restaurants. The butterfish with jasmine rice is fantastic. My husband had softshell crabs and also thought it was great. It has a really nice bar. If you want great food in West Chester, Spence is highly recommended.

15. patrick mccullough – Aug 05, 2007

    The Saffron rice with ginger that was paired with the butterfish were both divine. My wife had the steak and ti was superior to many steak houses. Spence Cafe is great. Alongside Gilmore’s, these are the two finest regional dining destinations outside Philadelphia in my opinion.

16. mmmmangia – Jun 10, 2007

    The seafood was cooked to perfection. The dressing on my scallop salad was a plethora of complimentary flavors. The service was good. The decor is elegant/hip but not uptight. They’ve got it all down at this restaurant.

17. fenwick – Apr 11, 2007

    Their tagline speaks for itself. Spence has been a WC staple for years, but hasn’t faltered in the slightest. Every bite of food was a mini-fireworks display in my mouth. They pride themselves on quality seafood, but everything on their menu is perfectly balanced and will not disappoint.

Pingbacks & Trackbacks

1. pingback from Behind the Food » Something for Every Dad in West Chester  |  West Chester Dish – Dec 31, 1969

   [...] celebrate Father’s Day early by taking them to Spence Café (29-31 E. Gay Street, 610 738 8844, More Information on Spence Cafe) for wine tasting on Thursday night, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Trust me, this is way cooler than all those [...]

2. pingback from Behind the Food » Sound Bites This Weekend  |  West Chester Dish – Dec 31, 1969

   [...] Spence’s Café features a World Café Live sell out band, Funky Butter whose style is a blend of musical genres from jazz to rock 10pm – 2am (http://www.funkybutter.com/) [...]

3. pingback from Behind the Food » Sound Bites This Weekend  |  West Chester Dish – Dec 31, 1969

   [...] Spence’s Café features a World Café Live sell out band, Funky Butter whose style is a blend of musical genres from jazz to rock 10pm – 2am (http://www.funkybutter.com/) [...]

4. pingback from Behind the Food » Best Places for Lunch  |  West Chester Dish – Dec 31, 1969

   [...] you really want to schmooze somebody, take them to Spence Café (29-31 E. Gay St., 610.738.8844). I originally thought Spence was just a hippie hangout with reggae [...]