This is a great up and coming restaurant in Portland. They have a few minor details to work on, but overall a very good experience. The wait staff is clearly working on Michelin style service techniques including uniform plate setting at tables, napkin etiquette, and plate presentation. Our waiter was overall good, but a bit cold and stand-offish. The menu has some great local ingredients, but it seems like they are trying too hard to get the buzz words in the menu. For example I enjoyed the Cauliflower Gratin and the menu description included local uni and lobster. The flavors of the cauliflower and the sauce were strong and really overwhelmed the delicate flavor of local uni to the point that the uni just took a back seat. The dry aged duck was wonderful and the aging process truly brought a unique texture and moistness to the duck. I also sampled the Atlantic cod dish which had a delicious broth, but was served with charred union which just did not match the delicate flavors of the broth. Overall a very good experience and worth a visit. I expect they will only get better with time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Abel Agnes
A good meal with spectacular service (shout out to Tennessee), but held back slightly by questionable presentation.Had the prix fixe dinner here with a friend. Started with a delicious sweet potato appetizer and ended with the citrus bombe and galette (I’d go with the bombe).The cauliflower with uni was the star of the night, but the milk bread was also a highlight.While the duck (confit and dry aged) was delicious, the lackluster presentation left us perplexed. I wish the scallops were seared harder, and the composition is a definite downgrade compared to past photos.Confused by some of the choices, but would certainly return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread
Bob R
Been several times in the past year and Twelve never disappoints. 1st time at the kitchen bar so you get an excellent show with your food which is delivered and described by those who prepared each dish. Everything from beginning to end was exceptional with some special recognition going out to the cauliflower app - I don't know what kind of voodoo magic they use to make me love a vegetable that I generally disdain. The duck was perfect and we split a lobster roll in the most wonderful croissant. When biting into it you should go very slow and try to count the layers of pastry you go through before reaching the lobster.As my wife and I tend to drink wines on the opposite ends of the spectrum we opted for the pairings. Good call as when you're having 8 distinct dishes one, even great bottle, can't be everything for every dish. Jen, the Somm, explained each wine thoroughly yet simply enough for me to follow along. I actually felt I learned something so not only a great meal but I walked away smarter than when I walked in. All around service was exceptional and a special thanks to Hannah for her suggestion of that cauliflower dish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gwendolyn Calhoon
Outstanding food, wine, and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni in Lobster Stew, Milk Bread
Bethany
Jenn with the bar was an absolute delight and every course was so complex and delicious. Their lobster roll is probably one of the best things I’ve eaten in the last year. I love the open kitchen and how smoothly everyone seems to work and flow together. This restaurant is definitely worth the hype!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Chocolate Sundae, Parker House Rolls
Lindsey Nelson
The food was good. In my opinion, I think the place is overrated. My glass of wine was more than the lobster roll. You are paying for the name of the establishment. The bottle costs less than a glass when you buy in the store.The staff were amazing, and the establishment was nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant
Bethany Schleh
Jenn with the bar was an absolute delight and every course was so complex and delicious. Their lobster roll is probably one of the best things I’ve eaten in the last year. I love the open kitchen and how smoothly everyone seems to work and flow together. This restaurant is definitely worth the hype!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Chocolate Sundae, Parker House Rolls
yatin sawant
Everything was excellent ?? yummy food and good service ?Well balanced and service was top notch ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Roll
Leah Libby
Amazing, all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joseph Bean
Clearly, in a league of its own in the Portland restaurant scene. Not only is the food. It’s preparation and presentation superb but the staff adds many layers to your satisfaction. Highly recommend.
My husband and I came here to celebrate my 30th birthday. I tend to do my research before going to a new place, especially when we were traveling 2 hours from home to stay in Portland to dine at this specific restaurant. Being in the service industry myself, I have to say that is what was lacking in our experience here.. we are a young couple, and it seemed our waiter Andrew was judging us based on this. When we asked for suggestions for a good wine to go with our entrées, he made a point to say, that "the French wines tend to get pricey". One thing I myself have learned from being in the service industry is to never assume someone's wallet. The way we were spoken to,the overall tone and looks from the wait staff, left us feeling like we were being considered white trash, too young to dine in such a nice establishment, and overall judged. The food was decent, but for the price, we honestly have had better and for less money.. but, you never know til you try. Hopefully if you're reading this and come here, you have a better experience. Just make sure you're 40+ years old.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Alison Wright
Such a great experience and if you go def order bread you will not regret! Service food and staff incredible! Local meats and seafood amazing! Simple menu!
Went here soon after opening and meant to leave this. What they have done at Twelve is seriously amazing. The lobster was amazing and one of the most perfectly prepared cuts of steak. It was so tender and packed with flavor, only enhanced by the blue cheese. Very attentive service and a great atmosphere. Easily the best meal I have ever had in Maine and a meal that I still think about almost 18 months later. Can wait to go back the next time I'm home
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jaylah Sawyer
Food was excellent, attention to flavors and detail with every dish ✨ Andrew Sr. was delightful and clearly enthusiastic about what he does ☺️ The black garlic…. ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Patrick H
Fantastic food, presentation, service, and atmosphere. Will absolutely recommend to others and return in the future.
This is a great up and coming restaurant in Portland. They have a few minor details to work on, but overall a very good experience. The wait staff is clearly working on Michelin style service techniques including uniform plate setting at tables, napkin etiquette, and plate presentation. Our waiter was overall good, but a bit cold and stand-offish. The menu has some great local ingredients, but it seems like they are trying too hard to get the buzz words in the menu. For example I enjoyed the Cauliflower Gratin and the menu description included local uni and lobster. The flavors of the cauliflower and the sauce were strong and really overwhelmed the delicate flavor of local uni to the point that the uni just took a back seat. The dry aged duck was wonderful and the aging process truly brought a unique texture and moistness to the duck. I also sampled the Atlantic cod dish which had a delicious broth, but was served with charred union which just did not match the delicate flavors of the broth. Overall a very good experience and worth a visit. I expect they will only get better with time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
A good meal with spectacular service (shout out to Tennessee), but held back slightly by questionable presentation.Had the prix fixe dinner here with a friend. Started with a delicious sweet potato appetizer and ended with the citrus bombe and galette (I’d go with the bombe).The cauliflower with uni was the star of the night, but the milk bread was also a highlight.While the duck (confit and dry aged) was delicious, the lackluster presentation left us perplexed. I wish the scallops were seared harder, and the composition is a definite downgrade compared to past photos.Confused by some of the choices, but would certainly return.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Milk Bread
Been several times in the past year and Twelve never disappoints. 1st time at the kitchen bar so you get an excellent show with your food which is delivered and described by those who prepared each dish. Everything from beginning to end was exceptional with some special recognition going out to the cauliflower app - I don't know what kind of voodoo magic they use to make me love a vegetable that I generally disdain. The duck was perfect and we split a lobster roll in the most wonderful croissant. When biting into it you should go very slow and try to count the layers of pastry you go through before reaching the lobster.As my wife and I tend to drink wines on the opposite ends of the spectrum we opted for the pairings. Good call as when you're having 8 distinct dishes one, even great bottle, can't be everything for every dish. Jen, the Somm, explained each wine thoroughly yet simply enough for me to follow along. I actually felt I learned something so not only a great meal but I walked away smarter than when I walked in. All around service was exceptional and a special thanks to Hannah for her suggestion of that cauliflower dish.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Outstanding food, wine, and service!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Uni in Lobster Stew, Milk Bread
Jenn with the bar was an absolute delight and every course was so complex and delicious. Their lobster roll is probably one of the best things I’ve eaten in the last year. I love the open kitchen and how smoothly everyone seems to work and flow together. This restaurant is definitely worth the hype!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Chocolate Sundae, Parker House Rolls
The food was good. In my opinion, I think the place is overrated. My glass of wine was more than the lobster roll. You are paying for the name of the establishment. The bottle costs less than a glass when you buy in the store.The staff were amazing, and the establishment was nice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant
Jenn with the bar was an absolute delight and every course was so complex and delicious. Their lobster roll is probably one of the best things I’ve eaten in the last year. I love the open kitchen and how smoothly everyone seems to work and flow together. This restaurant is definitely worth the hype!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Chocolate Sundae, Parker House Rolls
Everything was excellent ?? yummy food and good service ?Well balanced and service was top notch ?
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll on Laminated Croissant, Roll
Amazing, all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Clearly, in a league of its own in the Portland restaurant scene. Not only is the food. It’s preparation and presentation superb but the staff adds many layers to your satisfaction. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
My husband and I came here to celebrate my 30th birthday. I tend to do my research before going to a new place, especially when we were traveling 2 hours from home to stay in Portland to dine at this specific restaurant. Being in the service industry myself, I have to say that is what was lacking in our experience here.. we are a young couple, and it seemed our waiter Andrew was judging us based on this. When we asked for suggestions for a good wine to go with our entrées, he made a point to say, that "the French wines tend to get pricey". One thing I myself have learned from being in the service industry is to never assume someone's wallet. The way we were spoken to,the overall tone and looks from the wait staff, left us feeling like we were being considered white trash, too young to dine in such a nice establishment, and overall judged. The food was decent, but for the price, we honestly have had better and for less money.. but, you never know til you try. Hopefully if you're reading this and come here, you have a better experience. Just make sure you're 40+ years old.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 1
Such a great experience and if you go def order bread you will not regret! Service food and staff incredible! Local meats and seafood amazing! Simple menu!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak, Salad, Milk Bread, Monkfish
Went here soon after opening and meant to leave this. What they have done at Twelve is seriously amazing. The lobster was amazing and one of the most perfectly prepared cuts of steak. It was so tender and packed with flavor, only enhanced by the blue cheese. Very attentive service and a great atmosphere. Easily the best meal I have ever had in Maine and a meal that I still think about almost 18 months later. Can wait to go back the next time I'm home
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Food was excellent, attention to flavors and detail with every dish ✨ Andrew Sr. was delightful and clearly enthusiastic about what he does ☺️ The black garlic…. ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Fantastic food, presentation, service, and atmosphere. Will absolutely recommend to others and return in the future.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Steak, Milk Bread, Monkfish