SILICON VALLEY STEAK MASTERS

4th Quarter 2017 - Spencer's For Steaks & Chops, San Jose

December 6, 2017  |  Pat Quinn "The Dictator" & Mike Preston "Ditch Digger"

 

 

OVERALL RATINGS​

• Pat Quinn "The Dictator" - 4/5

• Bill Baron "The Chairman" - 3/5

• Ron Zraick "RonZ" - 4/5

• Mike Johnson "MJ" - 4/5

• Michael Mulcahy "Lord Mayor" - 3/5

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Pat Quinn "The Dictator"

 

Overall Experience:  4/5

• Spencer’s has been a long time favorite, especially when they had a “no corkage fee” when they opened their San Jose location. Those days are gone, but Spencer’s still remains a solid steakhouse experience. Spencer’s is known for their “1500 degree” cooking process on all their steaks. It really does seem to make a difference. The steaks are moist with a nice exterior crust that is most pleasing. Located in the dated Double Tree Hotel by the San Jose Airport, Spencer’s is still able to pull off a very comfortable atmosphere.  

 

Food:  4/5

• The menu was varied and interesting, but we were there for the Steaks. Spencer’s has ample choices and I went with the Tomahawk Ribeye. Known for a great presentation, this Tomahawk did not disappoint. The bouquet, texture and taste were exactly what I was hoping for in a steak. What you get with the Tomahawk is the additional flavor from the bone, super good! The sides, hash browns and spinach were well prepared and tasty.

 

Bar/Wine List:  N/A

• Our pre-gaming provided plenty of social libation and I really did not pay attention to the bar/wine list. I was there to enjoy a great meal with great friends.  

 

Service:  4/5

• We had a nicely appointed room that was shrouded from the main dinning area by heavy curtains that remained partially closed. Good privacy with a touch of the main dinning area buzz. The wait staff was flawless, timely with their refills of water and organized with their meal delivery. Pleasant and unobtrusive, just as it should be for a top end restaurant. 

 

Ambiance:  3/5

• The mid-range mark really reflects the lack of convenient parking and dated hotel that Spencer’s resides. The dinning and bar space is good, but nothing particularly memorable. Not bad enough to discourage repeat visits.

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Bill Baron "The Chairman"

 

Overall Experience:  3/5

• The NY dry aged steak was well flavored and cooked to my temperature, however, the steak had no char nor was the plate at all interesting.  Moreover, this felt more like a hotel restaurant—which it is—than say The Grill.  The feeling inside was one of blandness and non-interest.  We had a change of plans due to three SVSM brothers not being able to join us in our originally planned trip to SF and dining at Bobo’s—which would have been our first out of Silicon Valley experience.  In lieu of losing three, particularly during the holiday season when we should all try to be together, we 6 who were “in” chose a quick ride over to Santa Cruz for cocktails in Ditch Digger’s nicely appointed new Sprinter.  Watched Sinatra perform on the big screen and it was fantastic with a beautiful afternoon outside on the deck with cocktails.  Then back to San Jose where we were met by two additional SVSM members…. Lord Mayor and Mozy…at Spencer’s.  Being with the SVSM is always a good time and it was last night. 

 

Food:  3/5

• As I have said before, for me…it’s all about the steak, followed closely by everything else.  The food was tasty, but I was hungry.  Overall, the steak “looked” unappetizing as though it was prepared sue vie style.  The steak had no grill marks and was somewhat greyish in color.  The overall plate was less than attractive.  

 

Bar/Wine List:  3/5

• The team that served us was very good, though at times somewhat slow.  I would have scored 4 stars for them, however, due to the bar service weak link, it’s 3.

 

Service:  3/5

• We had a nicely appointed room that was shrouded from the main dinning area by heavy curtains that remained partially closed. Good privacy with a touch of the main dinning area buzz. The wait staff was flawless, timely with their refills of water and organized with their meal delivery. Pleasant and unobtrusive, just as it should be for a top end restaurant. 

 

Ambiance:  3/5

• Boring would be my choice of terms.  It has no “steak house” characteristics to speak of.  Restrooms were a quite a walk as well, though clean. 

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Ron Zraick "RonZ"

 

Overall Experience:  4/5

• This was a bit of a different experience for the SVSM. We started at The Ditchdigger’s home (aka Mr. Beautiful) at about 1:30 with a glass of Jameson…neat.  I should have known then it was going to be a heck of a day.  Originally planning to go to SF, we changed plans at the last minute to allow for a couple of our Masters to attend dinner.  Unfortunately, Wingman was out but if we stayed close to home Lord Mayor and Mozyington would be able to join us.  Goodbye SF, hello Santa Cruz and San Jose. So, we piled into Mr. Beautiful’s  “nice bus”, probably for the first and last time, and off to Santa Cruz and The Crow’s Nest for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, then to Spencer’s in the Doubletree for dinner. A nice change of pace, and maybe I’m getting old but certainly a long day!  

 

Food:  4/5

• Our first stop at the Crow’s Nest was fantastic. Santa Cruz weather was gorgeous and the drinks and snacks were flowing.  My favorite snacks were the nachos; everybody loves nachos, and the grilled fish tacos.  After a number of drinks (we had a driver after all, the steady and reliable Eddie), and a portion of a sunset, we got back in the van and headed to Spencer’s, where we were joined by Lord Mayor and Mozington. After the snacks in Santa Cruz, I decided to stay away from my usual salad and Jorge and I decided to split a rib eye medium rare and the risotto.  Frankly, the steak was flavorful but overdone and the rice was underdone.  The sides were ok; the best were the hash browns and just sautéed spinach.  Not my favorite, but willing to give it another try.

 

Bar/Wine List:  4/5 

• The ride “over the hill” was smooth and the drinks were flowing.  I stuck to whisky on the rocks.  It takes a little longer to finish them. The drinks were flowing at the Crow’s Nest, and a number of the Masters were well lit by the time we left, requiring nap in the bus during the ride to San Jose. Spencer’s has a nice bar and the drinks were ample. More whiskey on the rocks, and a nice Pinot Noir at dinner courtesy of the Dictator.  Finished off the meal with a Glenmorangie, neat.

 

Service:  4/5

• Our service was good. Nothing was missing and the server team put up with the SVSM antics.  Nothing outstanding, but good solid service.   

 

Ambiance:  4/5

• I like the ambiance at Spencer’s.  Even though it is located in the interior of a hotel lobby, the bar and the dining room had a nice, steakhouse feel to it. They were smart enough to put us in an alcove, still within striking distance of the main dining room, but with a little privacy.

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Mike Johnson "MJ"

 

Overall Experience:  4/5

• Spencer’s is located inside the Doubletree Hotel in San Jose. The entrance is off the main lobby and is somewhat unassuming. As we entered, we were immediately lead to our curtained off dining area so I didn’t really get too good a chance to check out the bar. The bar was good sized and the whole restaurant has a modern feel to it. In that respect, the lighting was good and the restaurant had a comfortable feel to it. For a Wednesday night, I thought the place was pretty busy. I’ve been to this steak house many times before and have had excellent experiences. I would gladly come back again as tonight’s steak was the exception not the rule for this place.

 

Food:  4/5

• For starters, I had some of the Crab Cake and the Grilled Spanish Octopus. The crab cake was very good and it’s Dungeness Crab season so I think it was fresh crab, really tasty. The Octopus was very good as well. The combo with the chorizo gives it a nice little kick and the paring of the potatoes give it great texture - a must try. As usual, I went with the wedge – chopped and tossed. Viola – it showed up completely chopped and tossed. Could have been a chopped a little better and maybe not so much dressing but all is all a solid salad. Also per usual, I ordered the New York Strip. This a Prime New York and at 12 oz. the size of the steak was very appropriate. Unfortunately, I ordered a medium rare, which typically means a warm red center and my steak was only slightly pink. Nonetheless, as a prime cut it handled the higher temperature and still was an enjoyable steak.

 

Bar/Wine List:  4/5

• I didn’t get a chance to review the wine list but we did have some nice red with our meal. I will say the service on the drinks was very prompt at the table.

 

Service:  4/5

• Overall, I think the staff did a good job of serving us. Other than the overcooked steak, I really have no complaints. Not the best service we’ve had but a very good job.

 

Ambiance:  4/5

• This is a “Modern Steakhouse” and it certainly has that feel. It’s in the right area to have that feel as you’re in major hotel in heart of Silicon Valley. The “Traditional” steakhouses seem nostalgic and are probably appealing to a smaller group of customers.

 

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Michael Mulcahy "Lord Mayor"

 

Overall Experience:  3/5

• Spencer’s was a last-minute choice due to a change in the day’s itinerary. Life got in the way of several SVSM’ers – including me – so the rest of the group modified the earlier plan to shop and dine in SF to return instead to San Jose so more of the group could attend. That is the essence of this group.​ However, the overall Spencer’s experience wasn’t as kind as the gesture put forth by SVSM. Spencer’s is a hotel restaurant masquerading as a high-end steakhouse, nothing more. Add to that a hotel undergoing major renovations, circuitous hallways, lobby’s and entries not where they normally are, and Spencer’s did nothing for me to make up for a confusing day and night all around.

 

Food:  3/5

• I had never been to Spencer’s before, although my tech friends who used to go there before Michael Mina’s opened at Levi’s always spoke favorably. I jumped in and ordered us the Ahi Poke, Crab and Lobster Cake, and Grilled Spanish Octopus. For me, I could have stopped here. For the most part, all three were what you hope for in starters. Manageable portions. Poke looked and tasted fresh, limited flavor, but serviceable dish. Lobster Cake was a little wet for me, too saucy, but seemed like chunky pieces of the Lobster and Crab, so that works for me, and not the bread fillers you might typically get in such dishes. The Octopus for me was the most disappointing – chunks of plump Octopus (a good thing) balanced with equal parts small potatoes. I didn’t get it, the textures were too similar to put on the same plate, confusing my palate that could have done without the pairing. One or two more pieces of Octopi would have been better. Next for me was the Ceasar, nothing major hear, a nice salad and tangy dressing. Bread and butter – tasted and liked. Next came by Spencer Cut, medium rare. This is an aged 22 oz USDA Prime Bone-in Ribeye at $67. It was cooked how I requested, but the flavor, the aging, didn’t do it for me. It is a honkin’ piece of meat. And when a Ribeye feels more limp, than crusty, the marbled fat that can be so glorious for some, is off-putting. There were sides on the table that I did not try, other than the fries. Hot and good, then once they started to cool, they were not good.

 

Bar/Wine List:  3/5

• Spencer’s bar is odd. You walk all the way through the main dining room to get to the bar. It is dark wood, and high back bar stools with several hi-boys around for away from the bar seating. It’s tired though. Needs a reboot and some tender loving care. Staff was nice. The young woman making my simply ordered martini was asking instructions from the other tender, later found out she was “just helping out”. So the martini while I waited for other SVSM’ers was fine, nothing notable. But I guess when I decided to have a second drink and went to Tito’s rocks it indicated my love for that first martini. Service and attention in the bar was disjointed as other SVSM’ers arrived.

 

Service:  4/5

• Service in the bar was marginal, while aiming to please, you cannot have a novice behind the bar of a steakhouse. Service at the table was a step up. Kelvin was a champ. A portion of our group had been imbibing all day, some of house close to sober. Overall he handled everything we through at him, included some of our negative comments about some of the dishes. He really handled the entire night from cocktails and wine, taking the order and serving. Kelvin was great, and the highlight on my experience at Spencer’s.

 

Ambiance:  3/5

• The best part of the ambiance was the cool curtains that separated our table from the main dining room. One of my rules, and it is a rule for SVSM, is that we don’t go into private rooms to really judge a great restaurant. The curtain made this a semi-private arrangement and because the restaurant is so austere, and the customers very “hotel,” there wasn’t much to look at anyway. But then other waiters and customers were cutting through our curtained oasis to get from one side of the restaurant to the other – that was odd. It was fine for Kelvin and other staff attending to our table to do that, but it was invasive when the others did it.

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