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    Twelve

    4.6 (219 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndNew American
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Twelve Photos

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    TWELVE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise

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    Recommended Reviews - Twelve

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    Chicken liver mousse with onion jam and lavash
    Debbie M.

    Food and service were amazing. Staff explained every single part of the meal as it was brought out how it was made, and what it was made with. This was our first time here if I had to break anything I wouldn't be able to because it it is already rated at 12 and I couldn't give it anything lower. We look forward to coming back again.. by the way we had Hannah and she was wonderful. We started out with the chicken liver mousse, and the carrot special. They're absolutely delicious. We both had the braised beef. Sorry I don't have a picture of that with the bread with a dessert because when it came out, it disappeared faster than I can get a picture of it, but I will definitely go back for that. Like I said, I would definitely rate this at least a 12!!!!! It's namesake. Debby and Ken

    Chefs view
    Danielle V.

    What a great place in Portland. The best part of this experience was sitting at the chefs table and the amazing service. The service felt like Michelin star. They take your coats and remember who when you leave, they explain every dish and all the wine. We did it for restaurant week so we got 3 courses with the wine pairing. The dishes we got were fantastic. Even not during restaurant week you have to do a set course for a set price unless you sit at the bar. This place is pricey but worth it for a special occasion or for the random foodie night!

    Potato chip and dip appetizer
    Colleen D.

    Worth the hype. We had an incredible experience. They have prix fixe and a la carte menu. We opted for the prix fixe. For the appetizer we all added the lobster roll and recommend doing so. One member of our party said that was the best lobster roll and didn't think any others in Portland would compare. It was so flavorful and melted in your mouth. For the main course I thoroughly enjoyed the swordfish. For dessert my favorite was the rice pudding. The ice cream sandwich was also delectable. The banana and bourbon was a very well made cocktail - balanced, not sweet. Food tips: Lobster roll, Parker house rolls, rice pudding Drink Tips: Banana and Bourbon

    Cod
    Lindsay M.

    Okay. This is my favorite restaurant EVER and I don't say that lightly. The staff is so kind. It's the kind of service that makes you feel genuinely taken care of, not judged or rushed. The vibe is upscale but comfortable, which is such a rare combo. It's nice without feeling pretentious. And the food??? Unreal. Every single thing we ordered was amazing. One of those meals where you're already planning your next visit before you leave. Forever recommending this place.

    Parker House Rolls
    Katie E.

    I visited Portland for a long weekend and chose Twelve for a dinner res after seeing some mouth-watering reviews on TikTok, and I'm so glad I did! It's an upscale, modern take on classic Maine dishes in a reallllyyy nice atmosphere. The restaurant itself is tucked away by the waterfront in a big brick building by some offices, but as soon as you walk inside, you're greeted by an inviting space that's somehow both warm and cozy and super modern at the same time. There's an open kitchen (which I always love) with Chef's counter seating if you're looking for a little more of an experience. Twelve offers both fixed price and al la carte menus, and not everyone at the table has to choose the same option. We had been eating our way through Portland all weekend, so we opted for a la carte for a bit of a lighter, more shareable option. We started with a round of dirty martinis (which I consider myself a bit of an expert on) and were super happy with them. The wine and beer selection for our second round was great too. For our meal, we basically treated it like small plates and split the Chips & Dip, Parker House Rolls, Mussels, Tuna Crudo, and NY strip. Absolutely everything was a must try (especially the mussels with squid ink pasta and the tuna.... still drooling over both!) with the exception of the steak. For a place as good (and as pricey...) as Twelve, I just had much higher expectations for their NY strip. It was under-seasoned and pretty boring in my opinion, but definitely not bad enough to sour the whole experience. Overall, I'd sat Twelve lives up to the hype. Quality, creative food and drinks in a beautiful setting, doesn't get much better than that.

    Brioche
    Jung Y.

    Fabulous dinner! The restaurant itself is just slightly removed from the main downtown area, so it certainly felt like a hidden gem, though this restaurant is far well-known in the area. The restaurant offered a special tasting menu for Valentine's Day, and every dish tasted delicious! The tasting menu consisted of 4 courses at $125 pp, and we added on an order of the oysters and brioche to supplement our meal. The staff were all friendly and ensured we were well taken care of. The interior aesthetic was very modern, which we loved, especially the open kitchen. Based on the website, it seems walk-ins are always available with the option for a la carte dining. Great place for great food!

    MJ L.

    It's taken me a full week to find the right words to describe my experience at Twelve, because I'm still reeling from how extraordinary it was. Without question, this is the most delicious restaurant I've ever been.If they havent already, I truly believe they're on their way to earning a Michelin star. The service was impeccable and the atmosphere was effortlessly cool and comfortable. Too often, fine dining focuses on presentation over flavor, but Twelve achieves the rare balance of both. Every dish was a masterpiece, perfectly executed, beautifully plated and delivered to our table in unison. We opted for the pre fixe menu with the elevated wine pairing. With the first taste of the amuse-bouche, we knew we were in for a real treat. Every course told its own story and brought more joy than the one before. The in-house sommelier elevated the experience even further by pairing each course with wines that complemented every bite. This wasn't just a dinner, it was an experience. The kind that lingers with you long after the last course. Twelve is a culinary gem that makes me wish I lived in Maine just to eat there more often.

    Lobster roll
    Olivia F.

    Had an incredible dinner at Twelve! I sat at the chefs counter and ordered from the prix fixe menu - Delicata squash, lobster roll, NY steak, and chocolate mousse. The appetizer squash was one of my favorite things!! I understand this is seasonal but I would order this every time. The poblano sauce is incredible. The lobster roll is 100% worth the up charge!! My first bite I couldn't believe someone could make a lobster roll that good. Ambiance is wonderful for an intimate dinner with friends or a date night. I highly recommend a reservation at the chefs counter, it was so fun watching them make this delicious food. Service is so friendly, a tad slow, but I only think I noticed because I dined solo. Overall I highly recommend and wish I lived closer!

    Jill R.

    We came by for some celebrations again this year and as much as we wanted to love it again it was pretty good but better last visit. Staff had a few hiccups in a few things but were as nice as could be. (They fixed it with a smile as we politely mentioned) It was a little strange though I thought when we first arrived the host pointed us to our table at check-in rather than showing us the way. Some of us did the price fixed while others opted for the regular menu. We had an array of food. My favorite was the bread and butter and that delicious tomato dish. The staff was very helpful with any food allergies we had. We enjoyed a bottle of wine and other various drinks.

    NY strip
    Tracy Y.

    Came after a big shower and there was water dripping through the patio tent--unfortunately, none of the staff did anything about it, which wasn't ideal. They automatically hand you the $100 set menu, and you only get to see the à la carte if you specifically ask for it. Felt a bit pushy. As for the food--it was okay. Seems like they're trying to be overly creative with dishes that are already great on their own. * Lobster roll: Served on a croissant-like bread, which was buttery and flaky, but I could barely taste the lobster. * Mussels: Entire dish tasted like Chinese pickled olive greens from the jar--couldn't taste the mussels at all. * Beef tartare: It was fine. Nothing particularly memorable. * NY strip: Surprisingly the most impressive dish of the night--but it's not even from Maine. Overall, not a bad meal, but didn't live up to the price. Wouldn't rush back.

    Aheli P.

    Twelve is a masterclass in modern dining. We sat at the chef's counter (highly recommend!) and watched our steak grilled right in front of us. We've done a lot of chef's table sittings but have never been this close to all the action. If you are a fan of the Bear or good food in general, 10/10 recommend. The menu changes, but if the mussels or squid ink pasta are on--go for it. Service, atmosphere, and plating are all dialed in. Pro Tips - Book early and ask for chef's counter - Best for a special night out

    Zucchini with feta, apricot, mint & cilantro
    Maggie J.

    Twelve was at the top of my list of restaurants to try while in town on vacation. We arrived for our 4 person reservation on Thursday evening and were seated immediately upon arrival. After telling our waiter that we were first time diners, he walked us through the menu and the prix-fixe options and took our drink orders. 2 of us opted to order a la carte while the other two opted for the prix-fixe. Our waiter brought everyone out the Persian cucumber starter so that we could all break our fast together, even though two of us had ordered a la carte, which was very thoughtful. Dishes that we couldn't get enough of were the Persian cucumber starter, tuna curd, zucchini (grilled and insanely delicious), New York Strip. In fact the steak was so good I forgot to get a photo! The Mushroom main course was good but a little underwhelming. It felt like it needed a bit more heft to be considered a main course like a pasta or polenta etc. My husband was also very impressed with his strawberry dessert. Overall a wonderful evening and I'm looking forward to coming back next summer.

    Luscious salad starter
    Ali K.

    Great care in food presentation, quality and flavor arrangements. The environment is lively and terrific to see the kitchen in action. Attentive service and care were extended and time in and out was efficient but not rushed.

    Broccolini, Mussels, Gluten Free bread

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    Food was incredible! I have not stopped talking about the Cod entree. Service was fantastic, great ambiance. Favorite spot all week!

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    Page 2 of 6

    Twelve Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Twelve

    How far in advance do you accept reservations?

    Per the website you book reservations through they accept them 30 days out.

    How often does the menu change? I was there in July and now returning to Portland in October and would love to go back.

    I asked a member of the staff today during my time dining in. They said it changes seasonally and had a rough estimate of around 4 times a year the menu will change. Going during a different season is your best shot at a different menu.

    What's the dress code?

    Hello Tyler! We do not have a formalized dress code. Many guests come dressed for a nice night out and others pop in for a casual drink. Looking forward to having you join us!

    View All 4 Questions

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    North43Bistro - Steak and cheese egg roll of the day

    North43Bistro

    4.1(119 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    We were here for a private work gathering…read more What a lovely place, it's not a huge space, so for the 60ish of us, it can get a little crowded and loud. The service was incredible. The team of servers and bartenders were great. The were on the move the whole night. Offering up food, refiling drinks and passing around appetizers the whole night. All with a smile and recognizing you might not want to hold the toothpick and napkin the whole time and taking it from you before you realize you have been holding it for 10 minutes LOL The food was delicious, the views were lovely. Parking can get a little tight with the big crowds, especially in the summer. Always check ahead, or make reservations, as they do cater to a lot of private events. I hope to return at some point without work people LOL

    This was our first time here it was valentines day, a preset meal. Every year we try a new place…read morethis year this was it. Let me just say none of the appetizers appearing to my husband. Secondly, I ordered the crab goat as my appetizer it came with two piece pieces that's it. Then the main entrée we picked was a piece of tenderloin with some kind of lobster. Something on top. Let me tell you it was like a pile of mush with a piece of potato underneath it. The meat was delicious. The lobster part was like mush and to me it had a fishy smell and taste. I don't like that my husband said well it's fish. Well I'm sorry but fish in a restaurant shouldn't really taste fishy or smell fishy. By now, we are ready to go home the preset desserts. We wanted to take home one we were told we couldn't even though we've taken home the same type of dessert before and never had a problem, but that's OK. The first thing we asked for we got him was bread. We normally have bread but not tonight because it's Valentine's Day and it's a preset meal. I explained to him that I am a diabetic, and my sugar was low. The waiter didn't seem to care and we still waited a good half an hour for our food to come. We asked to see the regular menu so that we may go back. Regular prices seemed reasonable for the area but to have a preset meal at $85 a person with stuff on there that we don't even eat and we didn't know about this meal when I made the reservation so we were kind of stuck on a Valentine's Day unless I wanted to eat in a fast food joint, which wasn't going to happen. I think if somebody is coming in there and they specifically ask you for something for a reason because they have a Medical need a piece of bread shouldn't be an issue. I don't know if I would come back here not for the price of the meal a cocktail plus tip. As a bonus, let me add this in our waiter said he only learned the menu 20 minutes before we walked in. He looked like a young kid and I said to my husband it was probably the best boy that they let me a waiter because he definitely did not seem like a seasoned employee.

    Photos
    North43Bistro - Inside seating

    Inside seating

    North43Bistro - Sirloin Entrée

    Sirloin Entrée

    North43Bistro - Dining area looking out

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    Dining area looking out

    The Honey Paw

    The Honey Paw

    4.3(780 reviews)
    0.4 miEast Bayside
    $$

    This. Is. It. Seriously, do not pass go. No notes. If you want to take a journey into tantalizing…read moretastebud adventures you must make it a point to get here. Super funky vibes. There's records being thrown down, cool lighting, nice decor and even super friendly folks. The employees here are beyond nice and welcoming. Like they know what they are doing here and they are offering you an experience that is fun and funky. We started off with two drinks. One was called a salad of some sort (sorry, blacked out) and it was delicious. The other was just as good. Ordered the eggplant app - do not leave without this. Absolutely amazing. For food, we ordered a rice bowl with pork sausage and a noodle bowl (with lobster and clams). Don't remember the names. Both were absolutely fantastic. The flavor profiles are just incredible. The rice bowl had so many things happening. Just terrific. The noodle bowl has a broth that you would drink daily. There wasn't one thing that could have made these dishes any better. Do not leave without dessert. Read that again!!! Get the honey sundae. This is what dreams are made of. You will question reality. No matter how stuffed you think you are, order this. This place is just full of magic and wizardry. Like seriously.

    Good meal, prices definitely on the high side…read more Vibe: really cohesive, cool, themed decor. Large shared table in the middle flanked by bar seating. Service: Great Food: We started off with soft serve and the seasonal earl gray outshined the house honey. The earl gray had a great flavor topped with an excellent syrup while the honey was mild and the chocolate shell didn't add anything, although the 'honeycomb' bits were delic. Crispy eggplant special - good, very small portion Pork katsu sandwich - pretty solid, interesting pickle Pad mee korat - good, small portion Value: Aside from the soft serve, the portions were very small for ~$17 price point, and the food was good but aside from the earl gray soft serve, didn't amaze to the point of paying a higher price point. Overall I did like this meal but portions were small for prices. I hope they keep the earl gray soft serve around!

    Photos
    The Honey Paw - Restaurant

    Restaurant

    The Honey Paw - Half Fried Chicken

    Half Fried Chicken

    The Honey Paw - Honey soft serve

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    Honey soft serve

    Central Provisions - Popover

    Central Provisions

    4.3(1.4k reviews)
    0.6 miOld Port
    $$$

    Dinner at Central Provisions was such a standout experience. The small plates format made it fun to…read moretry a variety of dishes, and everything felt thoughtful and well-executed. The flavors were creative without being overcomplicated, and each dish had something that made it memorable. The atmosphere struck a perfect balance--lively but still intimate enough to enjoy conversation. Service was attentive and knowledgeable, with great recommendations that really elevated the meal. Definitely one of those places you leave already thinking about what you'll order next time.

    We were happy with the service and speed at which the small plates were delivered to us however…read morethere was a small instance where we got a dish we didn't order (not pictured and it was the special). The lemon sole (fish) and octopus carpaccio (not pictured) were filled with flavor! The pork belly was very underwhelming and I would not order again. The waiter said 2-4 plates per person. I recommend starting on the lower end and adding additional dishes based on how you're feeling. The amount of food was very different from dish to dish. For example the tuna dip had way too much bread and the pork belly was very small in size. Overall I was half impressed. I wish the staff would take a moment to announce the plate as it's placed next to you or point it out on the menu for those hard of hearing and wanting to know what they are about to enjoy. However the music, overall restaurant vibe and half the dishes exploding with flavor made my experience pleasant and I will return again knowing a bit more of what to expect and looking at photos of the menu/meal options beforehand.

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    Central Provisions - Open kitchen

    Open kitchen

    Central Provisions - CP Frites

    CP Frites

    Central Provisions - Cold Fashioned

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    Cold Fashioned

    The Highroller Lobster - The HighRoller (captured by @a.bite.of.life)

    The Highroller Lobster

    4.3(2.3k reviews)
    0.6 miOld Port
    $$
    Locally owned & operated
    Outdoor seating

    The only thing standing between me and the level of gluttony I was striving to achieve, after…read moredriving 2.5 hours to eat here, was my stomach! Yes, I drove that long to sit at this place and not only have a lobster roll flight but a lobster corn dog as well! I would do it all over again if I had to because the moment that first buttery roll went into my mouth, I experienced a level of euphoria that I saw fireworks when I closed my eyes. I will be back for a full sized roll and the lobster bisque that I could not fit in.

    We came here super excited about this place with its cool outside look and decor inside. We were…read morepretty disappointed leaving and wished we had gone elsewhere for dinner. We checked in and were sat down and told promptly to let anyone know if we needed anything and we would be helped. Went to order and there was some confusion amongst staff, and instead of taking our order then figuring it out, they had us wait and watch while they sorted things. Sat back down and realized we might have not ordered the lobby pop fried how we wanted but instead regular and went back up to change. Was charged an additional $2 when we had waited through the ordering scuffle and already paid $150. Food was brought to table in an okay span of time, and after drinking my soda, asked for a refill with one of the staff members that brought my food. She said I could go to counter and be helped - ironic after being told anyone could help if we needed anything. Know lobster is expensive, but felt it was overpriced for the experience we had. Seems as though they need to figure out if tables should be served or a kiosk system should be in place. Would not come back or recommend to anyone.

    Photos
    The Highroller Lobster - SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)

    SO GOOD. Lobster tasted so fresh and tender. Bread was hefty and a great compliment. (Lobster Roll)

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    Bread & Friends - Soft Scrambled Eggs ($15)

    Bread & Friends

    4.5(197 reviews)
    0.8 miOld Port

    Nice place to chill out with...bread, and friends. Small but tasty menu, pleasant service, and a…read morebright welcoming space. Can be busy at times, especially on the weekend, but weekdays and outside of lunch hour, you should be able to get a table right away. I had the Dutch Baby and it was almost too pretty to eat, but I dug in after admiring the piece of art that it was. I loved the combination of flavors and textures - brie, mushrooms, egg, jam, greens, chewy Dutch baby, crispy bits. Yum!

    Bread & Friends was the start to my wife and my Valentine's Day! Due to past times of seeing how…read morelong the wait was we arrived before open and made the right choice being the second group in line. It took no time at all for the place to completely fill up. Which based on everything we had I completely understand why, this place makes incredible food and drinks. Overall it has a great inviting feeling to the space. To start off I enjoyed a Morning Bun Latte while my wife got the Honey & Juniper Latte. Both came out perfect temperature with well done latte art and delicious taste. My wife was obsessed with their pottery mugs that the lattes came served in. Food wise we were looking to split everything and it worked perfectly. We ended up choosing French Toast, Soft Scrambled Eggs, and the Fried Potatoes side. Every dish would be an absolute no brainer for us to order again. Every bite of food kept us wanting even more. Lastly we grabbed a chocolate croissant to go and that was just as tasty and enjoyed it after our visit. After this visit it is certainly a new favorite spot of ours, and look forward to coming back! Worth your time visiting!

    Photos
    Bread & Friends - Inside

    Inside

    Bread & Friends - Morning Bun ($6)

    Morning Bun ($6)

    Bread & Friends - Seeded sourdough that comes with the soft scrambled eggs

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    Seeded sourdough that comes with the soft scrambled eggs

    Union Restaurant - Farmers salad with lobster

    Union Restaurant

    4.1(372 reviews)
    0.6 miOld Port
    $$

    Wow... I've been going to Union for over a decade. Tonight, it would seem, may be the last time I…read morevisit. Before I rip them a new one, let me be totally up front and say the service was very good. Like many places in the Portland area, they're short staffed, and the people who work there are doing the best they can. Friendly, like genuinely friendly and nice waitstaff. They're doing the best they can with too few people. So, to be clear if any management read this? Your staff is fantastic. The food? That's another story. They used to have things on the menu like roasted Brussels Sprouts with all kinds of delicious. There was a pot roast, cooked over three days, which melted in your mouth, with truffle oil and parsnips and carrots. The cocktails? WAY above par. Now you may as well go to Applebees. Over seasoned, boring, and generally NOT worth the money by a long shot. It just tastes like all the other places who use Sysco or Gordon foods. I had the burger, which was so average. I mean REMARKABLY average. Yes, the lettuce on it was actually not just boring iceberg, but that doesn't make up for serving someone a mass produced, firmly packed slab with way too much salt. It says it's some fancy farm beef, but it sure as heck didn't taste like it. The dish my wife had was similar. Some decent ingredients but for the most part it was literally no better than what you'd get in something in a mall. WAY too much salt, way too little flavor. I also ordered a Manhattan. In a Manhattan, the forward flavor should be the whiskey (rye or bourbon or whatever). All I could taste was vermouth. AND it was served in a highball glass with a massive ice cube, and it was warm. The ingredients should go in a cocktail shaker or mixing glass, with ice, then stirred for at least 15 seconds while stirring. It should be served in a cocktail glass like a coup or a martini glass which has been chilled. Mine was in a highball glass. Not sure what happened, but I'm sure profits had something to do with it. You've got dozens of better choices in easy walking distance.

    Nice, friendly service. Enjoyed our meal here. I had the farmers salad with lobster added and it…read morewas very tasty. The lobster was fresh and a decent portion. We also enjoyed the hand cut fries - can add truffle powder to it - and the spelt bread. For cocktails I had the dirty moon martini, which was just the right amount of dirt. Solid place, located at the Press Hotel. A few other things on the menu caught my eye that I'd come back to try.

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    Union Restaurant
    Union Restaurant - Scallop risotto

    Scallop risotto

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    Shakshuka

    Scales - Seafood stew

    Scales

    4.3(1.2k reviews)
    0.5 miOld Port
    $$$

    Loved everything about this restaurant. The decor was…read morecostal casual with wood beam accents, a rustic feel. The service was on point. Our server was very helpful and attentive. I dont eat seafood but I keep trying .He gave me a couple of suggestions and explained why he picked the dishes he suggested. I ended up ordering the carrot appetizer. It had a middle eastern flair, the flavors popped and it was one of my favorite dishes while in Portland. My entree was the potato crusted cod over a lemon cream shaved brussel sprout sauce. The cod was mild and flakes. The lemon brussel sprout mixture was delicious. This dish made me a fan of cod. I also added the garlic butter rolls. I saw them going by and they were a great add on. Soft, warm with delicious melted herb butter. Scales is a winener on every point. Definitely a must go to.

    Unfortunately Scales did not live up to the hype for us. While we were seated right away at 7pm for…read moreour reservation, the rest of the service during the evening could have been better. Our server described to us the specials for appetizers but never said anything about entree specials (maybe there weren't any?). We ordered the cloverleaf rolls, a cup of clam chowder, a cup of lobster bisque, and the maine mussels before our entrees. Both the clam chowder and the lobster bisque were just ok.. nothing special. The bisque was too sweet and had very little lobster. The mussels were the highlight of the meal. The sauce of cider, mustard and dill was very interesting and had deep flavor. The bread served with the mussels was also delicious. The cloverleaf rolls were great too, but perhaps a little too soggy/greasy from the butter at the bottom of the skillet. For our entrees we had the scallops and the halibut. The scallops were delicious- nicely seared and served with mushrooms and a green pea sauce which was bright and flavorful. The halibut however was not my favorite. The fish itself was cooked very well with a crispy skin, but it was swimming in brown butter and hazelnuts and lacked depth of flavor. It also seemed like an odd choice of flavors for a spring menu. It was served with potatoes that needed a bit more salt. We were too full for dessert and also didn't finish our meals. We sat around for a fairly long time not touching our meals without the server checking on us. Eventually we had to flag them down to get boxes and pay the check. While the ambiance was very nice, for the price and the reputation we expected more. Everything else we have eaten in Portland so far has been fantastic so it was a bit of a letdown.

    Photos
    Scales - Open concept kitchen

    Open concept kitchen

    Scales - Buckwheat brownie

    Buckwheat brownie

    Scales - Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

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    Peach & Blueberry Cobbler

    Twelve - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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