Preserve, a new 42-seat casual American restaurant, is scheduled to open Wednesday in the old Aqua Terra spot in Annapolis.
The owners, first-time restaurateurs Michelle and Jeremy Hoffman, are a married couple who met as students at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, N.Y.
First announced last April, Preserve will focus on regional and seasonal cuisine. The restaurant's name, Michelle Hoffman said, refers to both the idea of building a community in Annapolis and the pickling and preserving program the couple have planned for the restaurant.
The opening menu includes jellies and sauces that Jeremy Hoffman put up late last summer. "I hope we're true to our name," Jeremy Hoffman said.
"We want to preserve the season in the jars when the farmers have it."
In designing Preserve, the Hoffmans have focused on making their restaurant comfortable for all diners, including families with young children.
"We have a full kids' menu," Jeremy Hoffman said. "From our perspective, having a 3-year-old, we still want to be able to go out and eat at a nice restaurant."
Preserve will be open for lunch, brunch and dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Preserve is at 164 Main St. in Annapolis. For information call 443-598-6920 or go to preserve-eats.com.