Meredith Brockington
A lobster roll prepared by the staff at Twelve
November 28, 2022
Portland eatery makes the cut for Esquire's list of Best New Restaurants
Ryan David Brown
Twelve's Executive Chef Colin Wyatt and its executive pastry chef, Georgia Macon. The restaurant made the Esquire list for its "fanciest lobster roll ever."
A Portland restaurant has made Esquire's 2022 Best New Restaurants in America, a list by the magazine of 40 new establishments that represent what it means to dine well in the U.S., from Maine to California.
Twelve, located at 115 Thames St. in Portland and owned by the Prentice Hospitality Group, was placed 33rd on the list for its "fanciest lobster roll ever."
"We were aware an editor from Esquire was dining at the restaurant that evening, but we pride ourselves on delivering attentive, personalized service to every individual who dines at our restaurant," said Executive Chef Colin Wyatt. "That night, we just aimed to deliver the exceptional and warm Maine-inspired hospitality we set out to provide each day. It's an incredible honor that we are grateful to be recognized for. We are proud to represent Maine on the list and are humbled by the talented teams we are listed amongst."
The article authored by Esquire editors stated, "Though it may be true that Eleven Madison Park [in New York City, where Wyatt previously worked] is the performative Xanadu of a mad man, it is also one hell of a talent incubator.
“Before he moved to Maine — his wife Selena is a Mainer — Colin Wyatt was the executive sous there. Now he’s one-upped EMP at Twelve, located in a reconstituted 150-year old brick storehouse at the water’s edge in Portland.
" ... Maine is the focus and there’s a New England modesty that prefers showing to telling. There are only 12 items on the prix fixe, but Wyatt makes good use of his new home. The state shows up in the colors. The bright orange of sweet potato Parker house rolls mimic the foliage; the pumpkin-seed butter that accompanies them recalls the fields. And goddamn if his soigne lobster roll — an entire half lobster impossibly folded into a small very buttery laminated dough — doesn’t turn the volume of the old Maine banger up to 12.”
Casey Prentice, who is president of Prentice Hospitality Group and the Prentice Organization, has led redevelopment efforts of Portland Foreside since 2013. As part of the second phase of the project — a 10.5-acre urban mixed-use development along with Fore Points Marina — he and his development team made efforts to restore the former Portland Co. building.
The Portland Co., a 150-year-old historic landmark, initially operated as a pattern storehouse called Building 12. The building was mapped out and rebuilt brick by brick in its current location on the Portland waterfront to become the new home of Twelve.
The team at Twelve includes Wyatt, General Manager Daniel Gorlas, Executive Pastry Chef Georgia Macon and Head Bartender Sylvi Roy.
Ahead of the opening, Vogue magazine named Twelve one of America's Most Anticipated Restaurant Openings of 2022. In September, the New York Times included the establishment on its Best Restaurants in America 2022 list.
Most Recent
Most Recent
0 Comments