Gatherings opens in BottleWorks building

CEDAR RAPIDS - The New Bohemia District continues to rebuild and grow with the addition of Gatherings on the first level of the BottleWorks Condominium Lofts, 905 Third St. SE.

Gatherings, which opened to the public Monday, is run by Toni and Tom Hauer, owners of Julia-n-LeChef Catering of Cedar Rapids.

As the building was being reconstructed after last year's flood, BottleWorks owner Fred Timko approached the Hauers about running a restaurant in the building.

Gatherings manager Shawn Gibson Schild is excited about New Bohemia's progress with the renovation of the BottleWorks building and the possibility of a year-round farmers market across the street.

"The area's going to come back," she said. "We're going to do great."

Gatherings is open to the public from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Because the space is rented out for weddings and other gatherings, it will usually be closed on the weekends.

While the word is still getting out, Gibson Schild said the response so far has been positive.

"You never know what's going to happen," she said. "The other night people were sitting on the couches and having a drink and relaxing."

Breakfast, which includes a panini, casserole or wrap, is available until 9:30 a.m. Lunch includes salads, soups, wraps and sandwiches. Among the menu items are Grilled Flat Iron Steak Salad, Cheese and Corn Chowder, Brie and Scallion Stuffed Burger, Cobb Salad Wrap and Deconstructed Chicken Burger blended with light and dark meat.

Appetizers include Blue Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms, Chipolte-Chicken Tostadas and Steakhouse Bruschetta. From 4 p.m. to close, special small plates are available. The menu includes Satay (beef or pork) with Peanut Dipping Sauce, Ratatouille Tart and Smoked Salmon Crepes. Beer and wine is also available.

The menu will change every 30 days to keep it fresh, Gibson Schild said.