I don't throw around 5 star reviews very often - rarely really. Â Try and say that five times fast. Â Twelve was an absolute treat; everything was on point from the food, service, atmosphere, parking, wine, presentation, etc. Â
I had a friend in town from LA and you want to showcase how Denver is no longer a culinary desert so I chose Twelve based on what my friends have said and I was rewarded. Â This place has a very friendly yet upscale vibe to it. Â The food presentation is up there with the high end joints but the price point is about half. Â The taste of my dish (cioppino) was outstanding; they didn't overcook the white fish or the shrimp - thank you! Â My buddy had the pork shoulder and he polished it off so I imagine I can say that dish was on point as well.
Great selection of wine, I mean great, and they are reasonably priced. Â The menu itself is not large, only a handful of apps, dishes and desserts. Â But I'd rather eat at a place that does their 4-5 protein dishes very well instead of a place that can't figure out how to do their 25 menu options.
The service was friendly and attentive without being under your feet the whole time. Â We kind of overstayed our welcome on a blizzardy Sunday night but the staff didn't utter a peep and let us be. Â Great experience - definitely recommended!
This was one of the highlights of my trip to Denver, and the best meal we all trip (an honor I was sure was going to go to Fruition, but this place surpassed it).
First off, we went on Valentine's Day, and I was a little hesitant because other reviews (both here and elsewhere) had described this place as not romantic but more almost sterile (yikes) -- I don't think they could have been more wrong. Â This place was adorable, great warm lighting and really eccentric odds-and-ends on the wall -- great date night place (#winning).
The $38 prix fix was a STEAL and more food than anyone can possibly eat, and our waiter also picks the wine for twelve and does an excellent job. Â We picked one of the wines offered by the glass and got it by the bottle (it was the Chateau d'oupia) -- which you always run the risk of a cheaper bottle not being super spectacular. Â But it was amazing (so much so that I wrote the name of the wine down for research later), especially if you love a full-bodied red. Â
Everything we ordered was solid AND surprising, which is always an excellent combination. Â I got:
- The crab beignets, which were cooked perfectly and worked well with cilantro yogurt
- The pork (SO GOOD) -- I especially loved the banana-sweet potato puree, such an interesting flavor and the banana and sweet potato really complimented eachother (who knew?)
- The chocolate trio -- the only thought I can recollect at this point is I'M SO FULL WHYYYYYY, but that is only a testimony as to how good it was and how much I wished I could actually eat more than just a few bites.
Other nice touches:
- Love the option of sparkling or still as a gratis choice as opposed to "would you like to pay $15 for a bottle of sparkling water" -- they came around with both when refilling glasses, really nice touch.
- Gratis sparkling wine with dessert -- not sure if that was a V-day thing or if that's always the case, but we were touched
Bottom line - go here. Â It's definitely a little off the beaten path, but totally worth it.
Twelve is the kind of restaurant where I want to be a regular. And not necessarily so they can know me, but more because I want to enjoy the deliciousness coming out of the kitchen as often as possible. I've only eaten here twice, but whether I've had fish or steak, soup or salad, veggies or dessert I have pretty much licked my plate clean.
As you can gleam from reading the other reviews the menu is seasonal, changing every month, hence the name Twelve. So while I can tell you about my meals it seems silly to go into details about items that may or may not be there by the time you get around to trying it. I will say that the menu is inventive and yet manages to have something for all sorts of tastes whether you like to play it safe or be adventurous with your meals
The service is spectacular. If you are in doubt about what to get they can provide you more details than needed to decide. For example, they can help you figure out what wines will pair best with you meal, but they won't judge you if you up and order a white to go with your beef.
They are closed on Mondays and offer a lovely prix fixe menu Tuesday through Thursday where you can have 3 courses for $38, which is a crazy steal when you consider the quality of the meal you'll be having.
Go there. Eat. Be Merry. Dooooo iiiiiittttt.
This was probably the best meal I have had in Denver since moving here. Wow. I knew it had to be tasty when the bad ass, Tiffany N, recommended it - but it exceeded every expectation. From service to dessert.
To start, we were given complimentary flutes of sparkling wine that I am assuming were a greeting gift. I am not sure if this customary or if Tiffany is just that famous in Denver she gets a free glass of sparkling wine wherever she goes. So, just to clarify, If you go here expecting a complimentary glass of bubbly based on my review, I warned you that it might not be a normal thing :). I digress...
There is one thing that I know for sure. The menu is not only seasonal but changes every month, thus the name, Twelve: To indicate every month of the year. Well, January was one delicious month. They also offer a prixe fix option. For $37 you have your choice on appetizer, entree, and dessert on the menu (with a few exceptions, but not much). This made me super elated as I was having a tough time deciding between and appetizer and an entree and really didn't want to have to make the gut wrenching decision. I was able to have my app and entree and eat them two....whoops, I mean, too!
The appetizer: a beet and goat cheese salad was divine and loaded with the root vegetable in season. They really don't skimp on their beets. To follow I had the potato crusted grouper atop a delicious mash potato blend with a green bean medley on the side. The grouper was the perfect texture and perfectly complimented with the creative potato crust breading, while the mashed potatoes made it even easier to gobble down. Every ingredient came together in a perfect harmony of tastes. My only complaint is that it's now February and that dish has gone bye-bye; however I can only imagine what's in store for the remaining 11 months!
This place sounded good, but I was pretty disappointed in the end. Â This is one of those places where there is teeny-tiny food with super high prices, and you usually end up getting fast food after to fill your growling stomach. Â What little food I did have tasted good, but again, not filling at all. My friend needed dietary changes to the menu, and they had to take back her plate twice to fix it.
Review Source:Twelve has AMAZING food. Â We have been there a few times with different friends for dinners and have been thrilled with our meals each time. Â The small menu changes each month, hence the name, but there is always something you want. Â We clean our plates every time. Â Even if you are stuffed, try a dessert because they are worth it.
The only downside is the service can be a little slow so just figure that into your evening, and plan on being accosted by someone asking for money on the sidewalks outside.
Wow! Â This place is AMAZING! Â The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. Â There's a prefix dinner for $38. Â I started off with the foie gras of course, mouth watering, then I had the sea bass with chorizo and ended with the mousse. Â Haven't had a delicious, mind blowing dinner like this one in awhile. Â 2 thumbs up!
Review Source:We had a very mixed experience here. Â Though the restaurant was 2/3 empty when we arrived, with a reservation, we were taken to the worst table in the room, by the kitchen, though we refused it. Â They kindly split our app, without charge, but both halves of the souped based dish were lukewarm, as was my entree. Â Wines by the glass were totally overpriced--not one under $10. Â $12 for a Malbec from Argentina? I think they spend so much time making the dishes look nice that the food gets cold. Â The food was tasty and, if you live near here, it may be worth it, but it's not worth a trip. Â Don't forget that the meters have to be fed til 10PM--a costly mistake on my part.
Review Source:Twelve put in a very strong showing -- great ingredients, very good service, and a nice atmosphere. Â We had the shrimp bisque, the foie gras, the grouper, and the duck. Â The grouper and the duck were both stand-outs, but the meal was solid across the board. Â I would put it well on par with fruition and Colt & Gray, and it's a great addiiton to the ballpark neighborhood.
Review Source:We went to twelve last week, having heard good things. Â Four of us had a reservation for 8pm, and were promptly seated.
We took a look at the menu and thought, wow, this looks really good. Â There were several entrees that seemed to spark my interest. Â We were eager to order drinks but had to wait for a good 20 minutes to have our drink order taken. Â Odd, but that trend continued. Â I ordered the pork, my wife the vegetarian option, someone ordered the grouper and osmeone the duck. Â Since we didn't get a chance to order our drinks, we ordered it all at once.
Then we waited for our drinks, it took about 15 more minutes to get our drinks. Â At least we had water. Â Anyway, then we waited for the meal. Â And waited, and waited. Â We were told that the meal was about to come out, but it didn't.
Anyway, the food arrived. Â And wow it delivered, every bite was fantastic. Â Everyone loved their entree.. Â The problem were the portions were appetizer sized portions. Â If I pay $25+ for an entree, I think I should be close to being full after finishing it. Â But all of us were hungry after finishing our entrees. Â
Then we decided to order dessert. Â And well, guess what? Â We had to wait a good 20 minutes for our dessert to arrive.
The net of it is - really good food, but the service sucks. Â And its seriously over-priced. Â And you won't be full after eating. Â I had to come home and eat something before going to bed. Â I could have spent money at a place with as good of food and left full, and happy with the service. Â
A real disappointment. Â We won't be back.
Twelve has a theme I can definitely get into--6 appetizers and 6 entrees on a menu that changes by season.
Every course was delicious and memorable. Â The service was a little inconsistent, but overall it was a great experience. Â The scallops in particular were outstanding. Â Dessert is an area where many restaurants falter, but Twelve was good to the last spoonful. Â I would definitely go back!
Without a doubt this is one of my favorite places in Denver to eat. Â The menu changes every month, which is great since you it gives you an excuse to come back time and time again!
My wife and I try to make it here on a monthly basis to his up their pre-fixe menu on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for our $38. Â Definitely the best way to try just about everything on the menu. Â Some highlights from the last visit: Chicken Fried Sweet Breads! (Yum!) ; Lamb sirloin, in a bed of lentils with savoy cabbage, smoked ham hock (Damn!) and the Chocolate Trio Dessert (Boom!)
Service is always top notch and the food is consistently good. Which for Denver seems to be asking a lot. Â Well done Twelve, see ya next month!
My husband and I ate there a year ago and are still recalling how great this place was - the food, the service, the ambiance, everything! It was impeccable. Small and quaint with a menu a new menu with 12 items that changes every month. My husband ordered their seared duck and was blown away. I don't recall what I ordered, but the bread was TO DIE FOR. I need to find a way to go back.... Go, go, go. You won't be disappointed.
Review Source:O.M.G. I just moved to Denver from NYC and was hosting my parents in town for a week. Â Not knowing too many restaurants in the area, I just picked this based on fellow Yelp reviews and their website. Â
Delicious. Fresh. Â Amazing. Taste buds had a party. We each got something different for our entree and dessert and shared it all. No one had a bad meal.
I also love their flatware and want it for my own home.
The fact that their menu changes monthly gives me an incentive to keep coming back for more. Â I first came here in June and now have to hurry for the July menu! The waitstaff did a tremendous job recommending a wine based on what my parents enjoy.
This is definitely a place to bring people from out of town, and to have a great dinner out with locals!
I'd heard some good things about this restaurant and chose to have my birthday dinner here last night.
We had a really nice experience. I expected a much more sparse dining room from prior reviews, but I thought it was quite lovely inside. A nice bar and well spaced tables.
For starters we had the bean with chorizo and calamari. It is more like a soup- which I wasn't expecting and it's mexico chorizo (not spanish-cured). But the flavors were nice and we enjoyed it.
The homemade bread brought to the table is absolutely delicious!
For our entrees, I had the salmon with succotash and Hubs had the lamb. It all felt really healthy! Both were perfectly cooked. I loved the sweetness of the crab that came with the salmon and the cipollini onions with the lamb were very tasty.
Dessert was probably my favorite thing of the night! We had the cherry- which was a lemon crepe with cherries and vanilla ice cream. SO YUMMY!
My only complaint really is that wines by the glass are ridiculously expensive. All glasses of red were $13 or more. The pour is generous (thankfully) but I find it crazy that there isn't anything under $10. It is a nice restaurant, but not snooty steakhouse nice.
Overall, I think this is a great restaurant that deserves a little more exposure but they definitely need to find some middle ground with wine prices!
I recently went on a trip to Colorado with family, and this was definitely the best dining experience we had while there. Â I dined there with four members of my family, my cousin a chef (this restaurant was his recommendation) and his fiancee a pastry chef. Â The menu is really inventive, each dish named by protein/main ingredient and combined with interesting sauces and ingredients. Â I had an opportunity to at least try quite a bit of the menu between the five of us, so here goes.
The meal started with an amuse bouche of pea soup, which was seasoned well and a surprising combination of sweet, salty, and savory. Â For an appetizer, I ordered the Tomato. Â The bread was absolutely delicious, the tomatoes and greens fresh. Â It was a little bit difficult to get every component of this dish in one bite, but once that's accomplished, it's a really beautiful appetizer. Â My cousin ordered the Sweetbreads, which were absolutely incredible. Â Although Tomato was super tasty, I wish I ordered the Sweetbreads. Â It was delicious, decadent, and savory. Â Amazing. Â The rest of the table ordered Avocado, and although I didn't try it, they were all thrilled with it. Â Before ordering our entrees, we got a little taste of the Scallop entree, and it was really, really good. Â Coming from New England, I'm pretty critical of seafood, but I would have absolutely ordered it if there were enough scallops available.
For an entree, I ordered Beef. Â The bearnaise sauce was incredible...I truly believe here's nothing like bearnaise and steak paired together when done right! Â The cheddar potato was also a huge highlight. Â I grew up on twice baked potato, so it was definitely a taste of my childhood and it was beautifully executed. Â My aunt ordered the Lamb, which she was really happy with, and my cousin's fiancee ordered the chicken, which she was also happy with. Â Every person at the table cleaned their plate. Â
The desserts were REALLY good. Â I ordered Chocolate (of course) and I had the amazing opportunity of trying Strawberry and Cherry. Â All three were absolutely delicious. Â Cherry stood out because I kinda love crepes (comes with being Canadian French), but the Chocolate pots de creme and mexican ice cream were really impressive. Â The Strawberry was also really good - sweet and savory. Â I'd recommend all three.
Finally, the service was great, and the wine list extensive. Â I would definitely return if I had the opportunity!
In the world of mathematics, the over 60 reviewers on Yelp arrive at the same answer to the following culinary equation as I do:
12 = 4.
The dodecahedron-ers are serious--but at the same time, laid back--about the delicious food they serve.
Like their monthly changing menu approach. Like their quality food prep and presentation. Like their informed / non-neurotic / enthusiastic servers. Like their wine list. Like their T-Th $38 3 course prix fixe dinner program. Like their amuse bouche. Loved the homemade 3 flavors of sorbet dessert (the lime one was the best sorbet I've ever tasted, anywhere, any place).
Because they change the menu every month, it makes little sense for me to tell you about everything the 4 of us had. But let me say that I've never heard my honey say the following thing about a salad simply called "Greens:" "This is the best salad I've ever tasted."
So why does Twelve equal four and not five? My steamed clams with smoked bacon and creamy potato broth were merely OK, and not fan-tastic.
Would I go back? Yes. Absolutely. Should you try them out? Yes. Absolutely.
2012 Review #43:
My friend wanted to try somewhere new, so we came to Twelve. Others have explained the new-menu-every-month thing, so there's not a lot of point in going into each dish in detail. I will say that overall, this place puts out good solid food, with good solid service, in a sketchy-ass block of town.
I know that's not really their fault, though they did choose to rent this space, but even with my car parked directly across the street I still didn't feel really comfortable walking around and I got hit up for money more than once. Anyway, definitely make reservations, as the restaurant is teeny-tiny. I like the decor; it's modern and sparse but still warm, with wood and darker colors. Our server was kind and attentive, taking time to help us choose a wine within our price, which we all enjoyed. What is odd is they don't have a cocktail menu? If they do they don't give it to you right away, which is weird.
Tuesday-Thursday you can get a $38 three-course prix fixe, which I would definitely recommend. All entrees are around $25, except a cheaper vegetarian option, with starters between $10-15, and desserts around $8. We got the ravioli and the butter lettuce salad, which was like a butter lettuce wedge with pears, which gave a nice twist. The ravioli was actually one giant ravioli, which was comical, but the pasta was very thin and delicate and it had good flavor. The bread they serve is soft and delicate, a little on the sweet side.
Entrees were very good. I'm really surprised at the reviews that say the portions are small- I barely ate half of my food and not due to inadequate flavors. I had a trout, which was a full fillet of at least 8 oz, with a large serving of collard greens, carrots and couscous. The flavors were great and the fish had the best seasoned, crispiest skin I've ever had. It was a great dish.
Dessert was the only area that was a total letdown. My friend got a chocolate trio, my other friend got the "coffee" which was like a trifle, and I got the "apple" which was a "salted caramel ice cream" and "apple pain perdu." What that actually was, was a really icy, completely bland, not-at-all-salted, sweet frozen thing in a quenelle, with the heaviest, blandest bread pudding I've ever had. The portion was huge, way too big for dessert. The slice I received was probably 3/4 of a pound. I ate very little and wished I hadn't ordered it. The bites I had of the others were also disappointing- the chocolate ice cream was also reserved in flavor, the pot de creme tasted exactly like silken tofu pie (not a bad thing, but just not worth the extra calories), and the coffee trifle had barely any coffee. When you name desserts "chocolate" "coffee" and "apple" they should probably put those flavors at the forefront.
The wine list is full of affordable options, but you will shell out at least $30 a person, so be ready. Long story short, get a wine recommendation, get starters and mains, and go somewhere else for dessert.
Twelve is one of Denver's best kept secrets. Jeff Osaka and the crew at Twelve prepare gorgeous dishes that taste even better than they look. They offer items like oxtail and quail and Chef does amazing things with chicken and pork belly. You can also get some of the best foie gras i've ever had along with chocolate done three ways for dessert. Yum!
The service is impeccable, Tristan usually waits on us, and he really knows his stuff when it comes to wine. Speaking of wine, Twelve has a remarkable wine list, we always find something delicious to sip on. A little known tip, A few tips for Twelve
-You can get half off a glass of wine if you sit at the bar
-They change their menu monthly, hence "Twelve"
-Tuesday - Thursday Twelve offers a prix-fixe - Three menu items for $35 which  is a steal!
In the midst of an out of town trip for the boyfriend's friend's wedding (that turned into a marathon babysitting session, and I don't just mean for the toddlers) we needed some adult time. Â Yelp reviews led us to Twelve, and it was one of the best meals I've had in a long time.
The menu changes monthly (thus the name Twelve) and is concise and to the point. Â Not too many choices, but enough that there's something for everyone. Â
All the dishes were fresh and flavorful with interesting taste combinations. Â The presentation was simple and elegant.
Wine list was broad enough to find something interesting but not so extensive as to be overwhelming.
The space is intimate: one larger table and a scattering of 2- and 4-tops that could be pushed together for larger parties. Â Running the length of the narrow dining area is a classic wooden bar. Â
Great date night place. Â The next time I'm in Denver I will be back!
Often a whisper is more powerful than a scream. twelve is one of Denver's best upscale restaurants, which fortunately lacks all the pomp and circumstance that surrounds many other area hip/trendy/hot dining establishments.
twelve isn't perfect but there are no sacrifices here and it appeals to me on many levels. The kitchen and waitstaff are outstanding, very knowledgeable about food and wine, and professional in their approach to all things related to service.
twelve isn't inexpensive but you can manage the artful menu (which changes each month, this the name twelve) by sharing appetizers or forgoing dessert.
I appreciated the nice but relaxed and comfortable atmosphere and the intimacy of a rather small dining room. I know I'll be back, often.
Finally made it to Twelve.
Love Twelve.
If I could give it six, seven, eight, ten stars...I would.
We shared an arugula salad. Â It was stellar. Â None better!
For main course, Beverly had scallops. Â Loved them. Â I had the pork chop. Â Outstanding.
The entire front end staff were attentive, timely, friendly, informative and professional. Â Eli, the front end manager, dropped in several times to check on our progress. Â Always perfect.
We'll be back to Twelve. Â Often. Â Can't wait to see the October menu.
Five stars and four thumbs up, from both of us!!
OK. Not what I expected, but I suppose that's my own fault. I thought it was going to be more of a bar with really good food, not a high-end restaurant posing as a bar.
I think the real down side is that there are much better places in Denver doing similar (but better) things.
I will say, the Arugula salad I had was really good. Just didn't expect to pay the price.
Not saying you shouldn't try it, but I don't think I'll be back.
Unfortunately for Twelve, I had gone to Fruition the night before...so please, keep that in mind as you read this! However, I most likely will not be back, at least not until a menu change.
The Good:
-Some people have described the interior as too dreary, but I actually thought that the decor was a highlight of Twelve. Â It's true that there's very little light, natural or otherwise (all candlelight). Â However with the hardwood floors, hardwood bar, hardwood shelves for wine, I felt that it had a very classy, intimate feel.
-Pre fixe with the whole menu up for choice. Â $35! Can't beat that.
-Compliments of the chef, I was brought out a little cup of soup (leeks perhaps?). I could have ate that all night!
The So-So:
-I had the octopus for an app. I really wanted to like it, but for one thing: the fact that it is octopus is not disguised. I have a hard time eating a lot of meat, thus it wasn't a good pick for someone that often prefers the vegetarian dish at many places. It was kind of slimy, tough, and cold all at the same time. Some of that is just attributable to it being octopus, but some attributable to the cooking.
-I had the salmon for my main course. Â The salmon was very well cooked, but the presentation was seriously lacking. Â Alot of brown on my plate and the wilted greens on my plate were seriously depressing.
-Dessert was OK, nothing special. I had the trio of chocolates.
Twelve is one of the best places in Denver. We were taken there by a couple who goes several times a month to try out everything they have to offer for the month. While I don't recommend that (because not all of us have $1000 to drop at a restaurant every month) I do highly recommend checking this place out.
If you hit it on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday you can do a $30 prefix menu that includes app, dinner, and dessert. If you sit at the bar you can get half off your wine by the glass. It turns out to be quiet a deal.
The service is fantastic here, and the place feels really laid back, if you are looking for delish food without a pretentious attitude, this is the place for you.As for the food, I had the duck, which was perfectly cooked. My boyfriend had the spare rib, which he swears is the best spare rib he has ever had.
Be sure to make reservations, the place is small and fills up fast, even during the week.
Not really my cup of tea.
First, I find the interior rather stark. Â Not a fan of a bunch of tiny deuces lined up very close to each other along a long banquette which is pretty much your only seating option. Â Second, I think because there was a Rockies game going on, the place was dead on a Friday night. Â We were literally the only people in the dining room for much of the evening. Â Started to pick up a little as we were leaving.
The monthly changing (hence the name "Twelve") menu is short so decision making is pretty brief. Two fish dishes, one pork, one beef, one chicken, one veg. Â We did start with a lovely martini poured at the table. Â Asked for olives, got twists. Â Easily corrected - not a big deal. Â
She started with the Rocky Ford melon - lovely presentation but some of the melon wasn't totally ripe and not properly trimmed so that some of the green parts next to the rind were still showing. Â I had a green salad because I was craving a little roughage and it was good - mixed high end lettuces and shavings of parm. Â It was huge though - you could make a meal off the salads.
I had the scallops a la faux pho.  The scallops were perfectly cooked but so boring.  Presented around the edge of the bowl - each with a dot of sriracha on top with the "pho" in the middle.  Sriracha out of a bottle is not exactly what I expected with a restaurant of this supposed caliber - I can do that at home.  The pho part was totally bland and tasteless.  Left half of the scallops on the plate  because they were so uninteresting  - no query from our server about why.  She had the chicken with kind of a Greek salad on the side (tomatoes, kalamatas, etc.)  It was, well, chicken.  OK but certainly nothing to write home about.
Finished with a shared berry crostata. Â We'd had a bottle of French rose so I'm honestly a little vague on the tart but I seem to recall the berry part as being pretty good but the crust being a little on the tough side as opposed to flaky. Â Service was fine - no complaints other than it felt a little rushed but I suspect that was because it was so dead and the food came out of the kitchen quickly.
So, to sum it up - didn't care for the space really, not much vibe, food and service meh/OK. Â Was it worth $200+ for two? Â Not in my book. Â No rush to return. Â Should probably have gone to TAG or Rioja but wanted to try something new and I was a Twelve virgin.
I think my experience at Twelve suffered from my high expectations - my dad has been raving about this place for exactly one year. Seriously, every time I see him, it goes like this:
Barb: Hi Dad how are you?
Dad: Great, hey you been to Twelve yet? It is outstanding!! That Chef Osuka is so cool!!
Barb: Nope, still haven't gone yet...
Dad: Â WTF!!! You must go!!!
Now I don't think my dad has really ever said WTF but you get the gist. So last night we finally went - me, my dad, and my stepmom - to celebrate my stepmom's birthday. We did the three course prix fixe, and they had wine. Here is what we had (I tried everything but the sweetbreads, ick):
Apps -
Melon/proscuitto salad
Sweetbreads
Mussels
Mains -
Scallops
Bass
Beef
Dessert -
Berries (like a berry tart)
Fruit (peach upside down cake)
Cheese
Everything was good. I think it just didn't really blow my mind, and that is why I feel that my expectations were too high. And nothing was like super innovative or anything, and I guess I struggled to find an identity, like what this place wants to be. The menu is kind of all over the show. For example two of the three entrees we got were kind of Asian but the third was not at all. So is this an upscale Asian place? Well, not really. And they are really into local stuff like fruits and whatnot but then scallops cannot possibly be local.
Anyhoo, I guess I am just confused! The atmosphere and service were excellent so if someone wanted to try Twelve, or if my dad insisted on going again which is very likely to happen. Hopefully I will update this and add a star, I really would like to.
Since reading the review of Twelve Restaurant in 5280, I've been interested in trying this place. Â Last weekend afforded that opportunity, especially since my first EIGHT preferences in Denver Restaurant Week were booked solid (grrrrr....)
Its location is cool - a bit north of the bulk of LoDo's action. Â Every time I come thru this area, it's changing, for the better.
Atmosphere - basic, classy, understated elegance. Â Thumbs up. Â The crowd was mixed, from some younger date night couples to older people looking to catch up over dinner. Â Another plus for this place.
Service - Hmmm... was choppy in parts. Â Sometimes our guy was MIA, other times hovering over us. Â To be fair, we had an awkward moment. Â Tasting the $85 bottle of wine, I was so grossed out by it that I asked to send it back. Â I don't think it was technically spoiled, it was just nasty. Â I really hate doing that. Â That was my first time in 2 years having to do that.
Food - the STAR of the show! Â Wow, everything, from the bread that came out when we sat down, to the grouper, risotto, salad, soup, and dessert -- EVERYTHING was a hit! Â I'd spend more time telling you about the food, but since they overhaul their menu monthly, why bother? :)
I really recommend this place. Â It had a couple awkward moments, but overall, it was a great experience, and would recommend it to nearly anyone.
I've had the pleasure of dining at Twelve Restaurant twice. Â They are well on their way to being a solid 5 stars, but they have some room for improvement.
Their service is an 11. Â Each time, the service has been nothing less than outstanding. Â From the person who seats us, to the waitstaff, to the AMAZING bartender who is happy to mix up his latest potion for you, I truly feel like I am dining among friends.
I love the monthly rotating menu, as well as their screaming deal fixed price menu nights. Â Their flavors are simple, but inspired - much like their atmosphere.
Each meal seems to have something a bit off - out of this world appetizer, but a lackluster entree. Or a delicious cut of meat, but a so-so side (I can only eat so many unseasoned turnips). Â
This last time I ordered their trio of chocolate for dessert and the ice cream and the mousse seemed a bit...off? They both tasted a bit gritty in their chocolate-ness. Â I know nothing about tempering chocolate or how to handle it, but both of these seemed like something wasn't right.
When in doubt, I will be happy to return to sit at the bar, nibble on their appetizers and imbibe tasty drinks created by their house  mixologist.
I really think Twelve has the potential to be out of this world, and I would encourage others to check it out - hopefully they will get everything pulled together to be a shining star in the Denver dining scene.
Went here for New Year's Eve Prix Fix Dinner with Rachel and the boys :) and it was awesome! Were promptly handed sparkling wine as soon as we sat at the bar to wait for our table. We all left buzzed and stuffed from all the terrific food and wine. I only docked one star because we were all MEH about our sides, but the entrees were to die for (i had the beef special). Â The scallop appetizer w/ chorizo sauce and a fried egg was kick ass as well!
It's a bit pricey so I don't see us visiting here monthly, even though we'd love to try the new menu every month change. But I think we all agreed on maybe a seasonal visit. Romantic, quaint, and the service was spot-on.
I believe Twelve belongs in the upper tier of Denver restaurants. Â Admittedly I was seduced before I even sat down. Â The nondescript brickface front opens to a sexy interior. Â High style, from the super sleek wood bar down to the silverware and placemats. Reminiscent of an earlier time. Â Speakeasy-esque. Â Also, the Tuesday, Wednesday prix fixe deal during the summer is a steal!
The server, Josh, was excellent from start to finish. Â He had thorough knowledge of the menu, excellent timing, tossed in a nice mix of humor, and led us through a wonderful evening.
As for gripes about portion sizes, maybe you'd be better off at Ted's Montana Grill. Â A three course meal should leave you feeling fed and giddy, not ready to be plucked and prepped as foie gras. Â Anyway on to my night. Â We got an excellent bottle of wine, a 2006 Viognier from the Santa Ynez Valley for only $36. Â We started with the Kampachi and Mushroom soup. Â The kampachi was perfect. Â The fish was divine and the accompaniments (avocado, harrisa, mango) mingled exquisitely. Â As the kampachi reminded us of hamachi, we asked Josh who the ready answer that kampachi is hamachi in the 4-6 lb range. Â He joked "it's the veal of yellowtail." Â Bravo Josh. Â As for the mushroom soup, thick, rich, and velvety, if maybe wanting a touch of salt. Â
Entrees. Â The halibut (with clams) was fresh and perfectly cooked. Â The pear tomato fondue seemed to lack a little on the pear front. Â Not enough balance. Â The clams were nice but the one hit in service was that there was no place to discard the shells. Â I had the duck confit with lentils, sweet onion, and figs. A-plus on the lentils, which so often are served mushy, not so here. Â The duck was crisp and juicy, and the savory richness was matched by figs so sweet they tasted of chocolate. Â
And the super star of the evening - the budino for dessert.  A divine pudding, white as pearls, smooth and luscious and topped with a salted caramel layer that transported me to another place.  Couldn't have been better!! The other dessert, the chocolate plate, was good but my-oh-my, that budino was good. The entire  3 course meal with a bottle of wine, a glass of sauternnes, tax, and tip came out to around $165. Â
I urge all of you to go! The menu changes once a month and I will visit for them all. If you see someone at the bar, greedily spooning a budino, come have a bite.
Another great evening at twelve!
We were lucky enough to have Josg again as our server. Â We started with some cocktails, fresh greyhound, marg, and some other type of fun martini.
Not only was Josh our server, he was our bartender too!! So talented! :)
I started with the foie gras........YUM! People have complained about the portion size, but really?? How much foie gras should one consume? I thought it was perfect. Â I then had the pork, once again the presentation and flavors where delish. Â Dessert was amazing too. I just received an email for the March menu and cant wait to check it out again!
One issue...the bill was still was $300 during restaurant week. Â While I dont mind spending benjamins on good food, I know some may not be thrilled about that.
Dined at twelve last night for Restaurant Week. Â Again with a group of 4, so I got to taste a lot of things! Â I liked that you could choose anything off the regular menu for the prix fixe.
To start, I got the butternut squash soup, and it was my favorite of the bunch. Â Smooth, silky, good flavor. Â The abalone was also good, and the salad was nice. Â The best part about the watercress salad was the grapes, that were encased in bleu cheese and rolled in chopped pistachios - very innovative and delicious! Â I didn't try the foie gras, but my friend enjoyed it!
Unfortunately, the entrees fell a little bit short. Â The portion sizes were TINY - I mean, really small. Â I hope that this is just for Restaurant Week, but based on Brooke H.'s review, I fear that's not the case. Â The beef my friend ordered, while really delicious (and my favorite) had three tiny slices of steak, alongside a short rib cannelloni. Â The regular price for this entree was $29. Â Definitely NOT worth that price! Â The pork (tenderloin and shoulder) was decent, but the shoulder was over-salted. Â The risotto was good - nice balance of chorizo, calamari, octopus, and saffron risotto. Â Almost like a paella risotto.
The absolute loser was the barramundi, which unfortunately, I ordered. Â It was horrible. Â One bite and I knew I wouldn't finish. Â It was watery, and tasted "dirty". Â I suspect that it was due to the celery/artichoke broth and veggies that surrounded it. Â But, the flavor was so unappealing I was shocked (I'm really not that picky). Â After everyone at the table tried it, I left the rest of the portion. Â I literally had two bites.
When the server came by, I told him about my problems with the dish. Â He was gracious and conveyed our thoughts to the chef. Â The chef had the arrogance to send the server back to tell us that the barramundi is a fish that swims close to the shore, and sometimes certain fish will taste of earth (dirt, if you will). Â Huh? Â Excuse me? Â I've had barramundi many times and it never has tasted like dirt. Â And, if there is a chance that this fish would taste that way - why put it on the menu? Â Or, at the very least, slice a piece off the fillet and cook it alongside and taste it before you plate it and send it out to a customer. Â What the hell?
That left a really sour taste in our mouth. Â Sometimes, restaurants (in this case, the chef!), just needs to apologize for the mistake and move on. Â Also, there was no offer made to exchange the entree for something else (??), and there was no discount taken off the bill. Â Again, this sings to me of arrogance by the chef. Â
The trio of chocolate desserts was great. Â The blood orange-cream tart was nice (though the aftertaste tasted a little like baby aspirin!), and the meringue "ile flotants" weak and bland.
The service by Eli was absolutely awesome. Â Despite the meager meal, we left him a great tip. Â He was friendly, engaging, and very professional. Â Definitely ask for him if you dine here!
For a chef who trained with Bradley Ogden at One Market AND Gerald Hirigoyen at Fringale in San Francisco AND Wofgang Puck in Vegas, I expect way better. Â Just because we're Denver doesn't mean we don't know great food and portion sizes! Â You're going to have to do better to be a viable restaurant.
When I started out writing this review, I was going to give 3 stars. Â But after re-reading, I realized it's really a 2-star review. Â "Meh. Â I've experienced better" is the perfect statement. Â I might come back to try this place one more time. Â But honestly, way better meals can be had in Denver for the price.
Sweet boneless Christ! This place is good.
We had no idea it was even coming, walking downtown one night what used to be a papered up abandonned something next to a pawn shop was a now a very nice restaurant.
We finally decided to give it a try the other night and I'm a fan. I know we'll be back once a month at least!
I'm not normally a beef fan unless it's ground, seasoned and in a tortilla of some sort, but the steak course was great! two cuts of meat, both awesome!
The Onion soup was not at all what I was expecting, it was more awesomer!
At the risk of giving away this neighborhood secret, everyone needs to try out Twelve.
Oh and the name, that's cuz the menu changes every month. I can't imagine twelve killer menus but I'm not at all doubting that they can pull it off.
This place appeared to pop-up overnight. We had seen the facade for many month with just newspapers covering the window and then one day - poof a new fancy local to dine!
It is a cool concept - 12 ingredients, 12 items on the menu, changing each month!
We finally made it over there tonight!
We were a bit early for dinner, 5:40 - but they were very gatious and seated us where we wanted!
Josh was our waiter and was amazing! He explained many of the items on the menu that were foreign to us!
The water thing was cool. They have a neat filtration system that they use to deliver water to the table in frosted bottled, with and without bubbles.
We started with the soup - it was a creamy onion - served to the table in a pitcher, poured over a crouton with yummy cheese. Mmmm!
So yummy! I almost licked the bowl! They had a special special of washington oysters with was wasabi fish eggs. Yummy!!
For our meals I went with the prawns. It was listed as whole prawns - but they were kind enough to cut off the heads prior to delivering it to the table. Thank you!
Hubby went with the beef and claimed - i melted like butter in his mouth! The braised lettuce was not to my liking, but the "root" veggie was very good.
We also got some amazing wine! I went with an Australian Syrah, hubby went with a different one. Both were lovely!
We decided to go whole hog and get the 3 types of chocolate desert. It is one of the few items that remains on the menu month after month!
It was great!! Â It contained a souffle, Mexican chocolate ice cream, and a frozen moose type thing that was mmmm!
It was a fabulous meal! Definitely not quick, which was fine with us, but keep taht in mind if you need to be somewhere!
We are excited to see what next months ingredients will be! Make sure and visit so we can keep the neighborhood up and coming!
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