If you find yourself in downtown Winters, you’re a quick walk away from several fantastic local restaurants. One of those places is Preserve.

Preserve, located at 200 Railroad Ave. in the heart of Winters, offers community members and those visiting, locally sourced seasonal food in a sustainable setting, as the business aims to showcase the abundance of produce from some of the richest agricultural lands in the world.

Along with an expansive, exciting and fresh menu that features subtle changes based on seasonal flavors, owners Sara and Cole Ogando mentioned the restaurant lives up to its name by using preservation techniques that allow them to offer items year-round, including lemons or the insanely popular jalapeño jelly.

“We live in such an abundant farming community, so we try to use everything around us when it’s fresh. When there is a plethora, we try to preserve it so we can use it year-round,” Sara said. “The preserve name speaks to preserving family recipes and sitting down at the table with family.”

Upon walking into Preserve, you’ll notice a modern restaurant with a horseshoe-shaped bar.

If you’d like some privacy away from people for your gathering or have an event coming up, Preserve offers plans based on how many people will be at your party, whether it’s 10, 40 or even 100.

“I think Winters has become a destination now for so many celebrations like weddings, rehearsal dinners, baby and bridal showers, and bachelorette parties,” she said.

Currently, a successful new dish at Preserve is an in-season, oven-roasted artichoke prepared by new chef Gene Hall.

Chef Hall joined Preserve last September after dining there for several years and working at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch, in Saint Helena, Calif., right before joining the Winters’ establishment.

“He is very aligned with us in regards to his goals and aspirations for the menu,” Sara said. “Being that he was a customer for years prior, he was very familiar with our menu and concept and has brought a lot of knowledge and consistency.”

Also new is a combined, collaborative effort with neighboring business Chuy’s Taqueria called, The Back Alley, located, as you may have guessed, in the alley behind both restaurants.

“We had a lot of wasted space behind the restaurants that was used primarily for loading/unloading and garbage, but we realized how much potential it had to become something great,” she said. “Chuy’s Taqueria was on board so we decided to call it The Back Alley due to its access from the back alley.”

Ogando described the vibe of The Back Alley as a casual and lounge type of place where one can hang out at and grab a drink or bite to eat. She mentioned it will be on a weather depending schedule since it’s outdoors. It is currently open on select weekend evenings from 4 to 8:30 p.m.

Due to events and potential schedule conflicts, she recommends checking in with Preserve prior to heading on over.

“We are excited to collaborate with Chuys,” she said. “We built a taco window so that guests can walk up and order off of Chuy’s taco menu, which features tacos, quesadillas and tortas, along with chips and salsa. Preserve also has its back bar open for a full selection of drinks along with bites off of our back bar menu. We are pleased to have been able to unlock the potential of what once was an unused space into something special that locals and visitors can enjoy.”

Preserve is open seven days a week for dinner starting at 5 p.m. and going to 8:30 p.m. Lunch is offered on Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

While Sara is pretty confident anyone can get a spot for lunch or dinner on a whim during the week, she strongly recommends you make a reservation to ensure you get a table on the weekends.

“We love our town and

love being a part of the community,” she said. “There are so many businesses that have a unique love for the town.”

Those interested in checking out the menu or information on booking the venue can visit preservewinters.com/.