This place is a must visit... we loved the atmosphere, the people the staff and the wine list. We will definitely be back...
The croquettes and the porcini mushroom, burnt leek, truffle and pecorino risotto were our favourites. But everything was great. Including a Croatian Red wine! Love this little bar and cannot wait to return! X
Held my baby shower here and it was fantastic! Loved the food and drinks, staff were amazing and ensured we were all looked after. Great spot for catching up with family and friends.
We absolutely love this place! My fiance and I held our Engagement Party here in August for 60 people and it was everything we wanted. Carmel and her staff are amazing, and Carmel was really helpful and patient with all our many questions in the lead-up. Carmel put together a beautiful (and delicious!) grazing table full of cheese, meats and antipasto, and a great selection of wines, beer and cocktails for our guests. We would 100% recommend Spencer & Co to anyone looking for a function/event venue - it was the perfect combination of sophisticated and cosy. It's also such a great spot for a drink or a meal of an evening, and we always have a great time whenever we stop by. Thank-you again so much Carmel and team for a wonderful evening!
Great food, very warm and cosy atmosphere. Staff very inviting and made you feel right at home. Perfect way to spend a night out. Food was delicious, very tasty, full of flavour and great variety to suit wide range of dietary preferences.
Melbourniancritic (The Melbourne Experience)
+5
You’ll find Spencer & Co Wine Bar Provedore located in the heart of Rathdowne Village in Carlton North. This cosy European style wine bar offers an exceptional range of unique wines to suit every palate, quality cheese platters, antipasti boards and so much more. If wine isn’t quite your thing then you’ll be happy to know that Spencer & Co Wine Bar also serve cocktails, boutique beers and spirits too.
Amazing! Their wine selection is not only extensive and impressive but the food pairings are such a great mixture of compliments to the wine. The staff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. Whether you are a wine connoisseur or a novice the approachability and hospitality of the staff makes it easy to ask questions to get amazing suggestions. A most try!
The story goes like this. Passionate owner Carmel Pietromartire leaves her corporate high flying life to pursue her love for food and wine. The result? Spencer & Co Wine Bar Provedore - a wonderfully cosy haven for cheese and wine lovers.
Almost 2 years on from our first visit, we’re happy to report that Spencer & Co is still as inviting as ever.
Amazing wine bar! Celebrated my 30th birthday here and it was perfect. Food was great, staff were friendly and helpful, and the place has a nice classy vibe.
Great environment.
We kicked back and listened to a jazz duo, wonderful service and wine list but the specialty is cheese platters with limited food options.
If your after a hearty meal this is not your best option in Carlton
Cute little place on Rathdowne Street that was empty when we arrived on Sunday afternoon. Friendly staff and an extensive cheese menu. We started with polenta chips, charcuterie and prawn twisters. The prawn twisters we delicious! Plentiful and plump with prawn that was seasoned perfectly and not over fried - they were my favourite dish! For mains we had the mussels which were ok but the broth was a little bland. They came in a white wine and tomato bisque but it lacked any flavour. Luckily, the beef short rib made up for it! Really great serving - we’ll be back for more!
Fantastic service, great quality produce and wine. Definently a winner for a nice night out! Lovely wine and cheese, even the food menu is nice for a lovely meal A+
I was lucky enough to be invited to Spencer and Co and what a lovely evening it was. The warm and cosy ambiance was just perfect on such a wintery rainy day. We escaped the bitter cold into a European style wine bar full of good food and fine wine. The staff had exemplary knowledge of the extensive and exclusive wine list so I believe your best bet is to place yourself in their capable hands for recommendations. We had a lovely dining experience and were encouraged to really treat it as such, an experience over which you can linger and enjoy good conversation matched with quality drinks and dishes.
I started with a gin bramble cocktail which was the perfect accompaniment to the stunning baked Brie with figs and house made bread. The prawn twisters were also absolutely delicious and the eggplant dish had a generous amount of cheese shining through, really showcasing their wares from the potent display!
We then shared a lamb dish which was served with a salsa verde and cooked to perfection. We were already full but couldn’t go past a cheeseboard given where we were. There is the option to build your own or order one or the standard boards and so we chose the French selection which boasted a creamy, hard and blue cheese and was complimented by muscatels, house made quince paste and a poached pear- simply delicious. We were so intrigued by the signature dessert which features a Roquefort ice cream we had to try it. Definitely one of the more unique dishes I’ve come across and a must for any cheese lover. With such an impressive array of dairy it is truly a special place and one which I can see myself frequenting in future
As the weather cools down, I find myself increasingly drawn to cosy, warmly lit bars to spend a Friday night in. Spencer and Co. is a perfect example of the romantic local gem that I could easily see becoming a regular hang out or date night spot. The lovely owner Carmel Pietromartire popped out to say hello, and it was lovely to hear of her passion for the food and drink that the Provedore serves.
We were extremely greatful to be invited to try out the fine foods and drinks at Spencer & Co on Rathdowne Street. Although predominantly a wine bar is not just wine and cheese, it’s also about cocktails, pasta, sharing platters and catching up with friends.
The venue has a real warm vibe, a diverse range of music playing at a level you can hold a conversation over and also enjoy listening too.
Thursday night is happy hour from 5 to 8 with 1/2 price cocktails, we picked the right night 😜!
I started with a French 75, gin and prosecco with a citrus twist. There was also a range of beer by the bottle and on tap, we also chose the Colonial brewery IPA, nice and hoppy.
There are many food options to please all different tastes. You can start with a range of Mediterranean bar snacks (olives, antipasto, baked eggplant) to the spiced chicken wings and potato balls. The majority of the jams, pastes & breads are made on site which makes it such a treat to try.
We started with the potato balls, which were tasty chickpea flour balls with a well seasoned potato filling. These were a lot like mini samosas without such a spicy kick. They were served with a delicious spiced yogurt sauce. The amount of flavour per mouthful was a delightful surprise, not what I was expecting with description on the menu. What a great start to the night.
The spicy chicken wings are a cracker, a lovely zing is left on your palette, they are totally worth the sticky fingers.
The Cheddar ale soup, is like the cousin of the French onion soup, but in no way less worthy, it is decadently rich soup that is served in a small bowl with housemade sourdough bread.
We next moved onto the cheese boards. You can choose a preset cheese board, or build your own based on your favourites. They even have a range of cheese and wine flights that let you sample their range of cheese and wines (a mini degustation of cheese with matching wine).
We decided to go with the build your own cheese board and based on staff recommendations, created a tasty board with four different cheeses. We started with soft Brillat Savarin, a delicious triple cream. This cheese brings creamy to a new level.
Hard truffle pecorino, was lovely, the nuttiness of the pecorino helped the truffle shine without being too over powering.
The washed rind Epoisses, is initially delicate and creamy on the palette and become more full flavoured as you chew.
The Blue Roquefort Papillon is super sharp and super strong. It pushedme to just under my limit for a blue, a delight.
These cheese were served with house made bread, lavosh and black ash Sicilian flat bread.
Staff are well educated on the wine and cheese and are able to offer knowledgeable insight of what we were looking for. Independent wine merchants supply the wines here, so enjoy these wines on the premises as they are not readily available elsewhere.
The French Chardonnay was delicate and the Spanish Par Albariño where great with our cheese selection and in no way detracted from the flavour of the cheese.
Unfortunately we had no room for pudding it, but next time we will leave room. Such exciting sounding desserts too.
The benefit of its location in Rathdowne Street also means you can get a park, and pop in for just one drink or a meal. On the weekend homemade pasta and a glass of wine is available for a special $20 lunch, (The pasta menu changes month to month).
Thanks so much for having us. We look forward to returning soon.
Enjoyed a lovely date night at Spencer Co & Wine Bar. This cafe is all about their cheeses and boy did they have an incredible selection to choose from. We went for the Italian platter with a lovely glass of wine. Each cheese had a different texture and of course a different taste. Our favourite cheese was the Taleggio which had a washed rind and creamy texture. The owner of this restaurant is perfect for hospitality and is so so friendly. We saw her greeting and spending time with every table, getting to know all her customers.
Nice spot here at Spencer & Co. Really tasty and hearty food. Loved every single dish that we hand.
I was glad to see this spot on Rathdowne changed to a better place from previous attempts.
Service was genuine, friendly and efficient.
Prices are very reasonable for what you get.
Will be back with more people.
I absolutely adored the food and service at this little local place. It has such a lovely vibe about the place and the gorgeous ladies who run it make you feel so comfortable, they are so charming. The food was delicious - prawn twisters and cheese platters are a must. Good value for money too. Highly recommend this place!
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4.5
Spencer & Co is a new wine bar and provedore in the quaint and leafy surrounds of Rathdowne Village. Owner Carmel Pietromartire is passionate about sharing quality produce, and many of the dishes are inspired by recipes that have been passed down. She wants Spencer & Co to feel like the extension of her home – a comfortable and intimate place where one can enjoy good cheese, good wine and good food.
We booked ahead for a birthday and were treated to a fantastic evening of cheese and wine, with a complimentary bottle on arrival. The staff treated us like their most important customers and made sure we were taken care of from beginning to end. I would recommend Spencer & Co to anyone who enjoys good wine and appreciates informed servers. In fact, we’re going back again this evening! 5.0
Loved it! Easy going ambience, friendly staff, excellent location, great food and the perfect wine list. What more can you ask for? We're so coming back.
Cheese platter for 4 was fabulous. We went for the Spanish cheeses (Bocadillo) but could have quite happily gone for the British, French or local. It's the accompaniments that go with the boards that's also important.
Along with the cheese, we ordered the zucchini and summer salads (they looked fabulous but could have had a bit more content - particularly the summer salad), the extraordinary sfingi con alici (Sicilian doughnuts filled with anchovies) and one chicken cotoletta. Finished off with one poached pear to share.
Beautiful balance of flavours washed down with an excellent Shiraz (Boucher from Heathcote - and another thumbs up for a place where you can get a decent red for under $50).
$250 for 4 people (2 bottles of red).
Spencer co serves top notch wine, cheese and other food. With a beautiful environment and gorgeous staff, it's a must visit. The produce is phenomenal and their wine list is incredible! They also have amazing deals like 20$ for pasta and a glass of wine on the weekends! You'd be crazy not to visit!
Fantastic ambiance. Magnificent wine and cheese. Service was extremely attentive. Highly recommended. Cocktails were exceptional. Light music adds to the ambiance. Dog friendly too which is always a bonus
Outstanding Cheese & Wine experience with amazing service. Highly recommended for a great experience.
The flexible menu allows you to build your own experience. This adds to the great value and flavours.
This place was incredible! I celebrated my birthday here last night, with out of this world service! Spoke to the owner from the start, and she looked after us with a lovely private cellar style room at no extra cost, beautifully and passionately sourced produce and they didn't charge cakeage! I would strongly recommend checking this place out, stunning cheese boards and flights, gorgeous wine, just all the wins! Especially if you are looking for a warm location for an event. Best! I will be back!
A must try! Definite value for money, ordered a cheese platter for 1 and the amount you are served is amazing! Interesting variety of wine and cheese selection which is topped off with great friendly service and warm atmosphere. Will be coming back!
If you love cheese and wine, then you need to check out this great venue.
Amazing cheese and wine, in a great location.
Staff are knowledgeable and super friendly
A warm and inviting Wine Bar, well located and offers the best Local produce one can wish for. Friendly staff and the best Wine and Cheese selection. Certainly worth a visit to find this out for yourself. A hidden Gem in the North Carlton foodie landscape.
Great atmosphere. We came with a group of friends and had a fantastic time.
Impressive wine & cheese platters. Excellent service, staff were very attentive and friendly.
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