The Conserva is located on a quaint neighborhood row of shops and restaurants along 9 Mile, east of Woodward. Under the Lofts on 9, it is a destination for food lovers, neighborhood regulars, and people who love trying something new each week. The chef and owner is the talented Matthew Baldridge, who’s long career in Detroit restaurants has helped build his skill and ambitious cooking style. Baldr
idge is the former chef of Cliff Bell’s in Detroit, chef de cuisine at the Rattlesnake Club and the executive chef at Seldom Blues as well as the award winning Dinner Club Pop Up. The grazing food format, similar to tapas dining in Spain, allows diners to pick several dishes to share and try. The plates come to the table building in flavor profiles from light to rich fare. The market-driven menu changes weekly and sometimes even daily, depending on what Chef Baldridge has his butchers, fish mongers, and farmers bring him that week. Every dish is prepared fresh daily with the highest quality ingredients. The creative menu style lends itself to being able to try many different things without having to settle on one main dish. Each offering that Chef Baldridge creates at the restaurant is unique, and intuitively prepared with imagination and respect to the ingredients. Every addition is deliberate, never piled on due to expectation or trendiness. His philosophy is to serve fresh, flavorful food with simplicity and delicacy utilizing various techniques, sauces, gastriques, and emulsions. The cocktails and wine are curated by bartender Jarrod Kassis. His vast knowledge lends itself to an unexpectedly imaginative list of libations. Order off the menu or let the bartenders mix you up a custom drink. The Conserva wants everyone to leave happy and satisfied and enjoy the best, most comfortable dining experience that is anything but boring. The restaurant hosts monthly art exhibits with opening receptions that are usually held the third Thursday of each month. Happy hour is 4pm-7pm Tuesday-Friday and all day on Wednesdays. The Conserva is located at 201 E. 9 Mile, on the ground floor of the Lofts on 9 at the corner of 9 Mile and Bermuda.
