Walking into Twelvemonth, you can’t help but admire the beautiful decor and ambiance. The space is modern yet cozy, with a warm, welcoming vibe that makes you feel like you’re about to enjoy a special meal. The service? Incredible. Attentive without being intrusive, the staff really go above and beyond to make sure you’re well taken care of. From the moment you sit down, you feel like you’re in for a treat.

But, unfortunately, the food just doesn’t live up to the atmosphere.

Let’s start with the Roasted Beets. If you’re a beet lover, this might sound like your dream dish, but it’s a bit too beet-forward, even for the biggest fan. There’s some mint in there to add a touch of freshness, but overall, the flavors just don’t come together in a satisfying way. It’s one of those dishes where you keep eating it, hoping it will get better, but it never really does.

Next up, the Charred Cabbage Salad. I had high hopes for this one—it’s a dish that could easily be exciting and bold, but instead, it was drenched in dressing and ended up tasting like the same bite over and over again. One-note, over-sauced, and ultimately forgettable.

The Panzanella Alla Puttanesca? I really wanted to love it. Panzanella is one of those classic dishes that, when done right, is light and refreshing. But here, it just missed the mark entirely. The bread was soggy, the tomatoes were lackluster, and the whole thing was overwhelmed by a strong pickle flavor that didn’t belong. It felt more like a confused salad than a well-balanced dish.

Thankfully, Twelvemonth does have some redeeming options. The standout of the meal was, without a doubt, the Crispy Maitake Mushrooms. They were perfectly cooked—crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and bursting with flavor. If you order just one thing, make it this. It’s the dish that gives you a glimpse of what the rest of the menu could be.

The Yucca Gnocchi was another winner, though it comes with a bit of sticker shock. Delicious, yes—pillowy gnocchi with a rich, satisfying flavor—but at the price point, it feels more like an occasional indulgence than a regular order.

My main critique with the menu? The homemade pickles. They’re in almost every dish, and while I can appreciate a good pickle, the flavor becomes overwhelming. It sneaks into places it doesn’t belong, overshadowing what could be interesting dishes with a vinegary, briny punch that’s just too much. It felt like a theme that overstayed its welcome.

In the end, Twelvemonth is a place that’s worth visiting for the stunning decor and fantastic service, but if you're looking for a mind-blowing meal, you might be disappointed. The food is lackluster at best, with some dishes missing the mark entirely. It’s not a place I’d rush back to, but if you do go, stick to the mushrooms and gnocchi, and maybe ask them to hold the pickles.

Sincerely,

Shaye Story