😍 Fine Dining in Maine | Twelve ✨

Though Michelin hasn’t yet included New England in its star-rating system, Twelve in Portland remains the most Michelin-worthy dinner I’ve had in Maine. In 2023, it was named one of the 50 Best Restaurants in the U.S. by the New York Times. The chef honed his skills at New York’s three-Michelin-starred Eleven Madison Park 🤩 💰 We sat at the Chef’s Counter, facing the open kitchen. Each of us chose the 4-course Prix Fixe Menu for $110 and added the Elevated Wine Pairing for an extra $80 (the restaurant even threw in an extra glass of wine 🍷). Each dish felt like a miniature performance—meticulous service, a relaxed pace, and an atmosphere that struck the perfect balance of elegance and comfort. 🥧 Bites 🥂 Amuse-bouche: A complimentary pre-meal bite—soft, savory, and delicious in one mouthful. 🥬 Delicata Squash: Featuring squash, maitake mushrooms, pumpkin seeds, and poblano cream sauce. Creamy, savory, and wonderfully layered. 🐟 Appetizers 1️⃣ Tuna Crudo: Extremely fresh tuna slices paired with basil vinaigrette and pattypan squash. The acidity and herbal notes were perfectly balanced. 2️⃣ Mussels: My favorite appetizer! Shell-off mussels were incredibly tender, served with warm ink and garlicky kale—absolutely delicious. 3️⃣ 🥖 Added Parker House Rolls for $5: Golden-brown mini rolls slathered with butter and romanesco sauce—an explosion of flavor. 4️⃣ 🦞 Added Lobster Roll for $20: A warm, buttery lobster roll wrapped in a crispy croissant. Rich, tender, and slightly sweet—highly recommended! 🥩 Main Courses 1️⃣ Cod: My favorite main! Cod paired with scallops, cornbread, apple cider, and tarragon sauce. The white cod was light and refreshing, while the scallops were tender and delicate—absolutely mesmerizing. 2️⃣ New York Strip: The steak was rich and flavorful, with a perfectly balanced sauce. The potato puffs on the side were delightfully light. The only downside was that the steak was slightly cool. 🍐 Desserts 1️⃣ Floating Island: Poached pear with goat’s milk custard. The combination of airy meringue and creamy sauce was a bit on the sweet side. 2️⃣ Rice Pudding: Rice pudding with cashews, apples, and cardamom granola. I loved it—a perfect finish to the meal. ✨ From taste to presentation, every dish struck a beautiful balance between simplicity and complexity. An experience well worth it! 📍 Twelve #Portland #PortlandRestaurants #Boston #Michelin #Maine #DateNightRestaurants #HiddenGemEateries #BostonLife #UniqueDiningSpots #UpscaleDining