Jeff Osaka's twelve lures patrons to the Ballpark neighborhood

Mark Manger

On a block just beyond the revitalized stretches of downtown, twelve, at 2233 Larimer Street, is tucked amidst dilapidated storefronts.

Mark Manger

Chef Jeff Osaka

Mark Manger

Two years ago, when chef Jeff Osaka gave up his chefs whites in Los Angeles to pursue restaurant ownership in Denver, he picked up this Ballpark neighborhood property on Craigslist.

Mark Manger

He wanted to give Denver a dining experience it had never seen before, executing a monthly menu that focused on hyper-seasonal offerings, showing that using produce at its peak means thinking beyond spring, summer, winter and fall.

Mark Manger

By the first time I walked through the door last spring, I was floating on the recommendations of dozens of friends in the industry. But the impression of the place I formed during that meal was grim enough to keep me away for months.