Bata's Restaurant opening a symbol of flood recovery in New Bo

CEDAR RAPIDS – Another piece of flood recovery is falling into place in the New Bohemia district.

More than four years after floodwaters ravaged the southeast Cedar Rapids neighborhood, a new restaurant is opening that promises to be a draw for the resurgent arts and entertainment area.

Bata's Restaurant, 1006 Third St. SE, held a soft opening Friday and will be open today from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., said co-owner Tony Bata.

Some have described the menu - flatbread pizzas, fajitas, burgers and vegetarian dishes, among other items - as “fusion.”

“It's really a mix of comfort foods from the United States and from around the world,” said Bata, a longtime caterer who is a physicist by education and chief information officer in Coe College's information technology department. “It will change every week.”

Co-owner Nick Bata, Tony's son, has worked as a personal trainer and operated Kaffein, a coffee shop in the neighboring Cherry Building, 329 10th Ave. SE.

Both buildings are owned by the Chadima family's Thorland Co.

Bata's Restaurant is located in the Suchy Building, named for the Suchy family, who operated a jewelry store in the 1907 building, while they lived upstairs.

Cedar Rapids historian Mark Stoffer Hunter said the jewelry and watch-repair business was first located next door, in the late 19

^th

century building that later became the White Elephant store.

Once the family had enough money, they erected the more substantial brick building that now houses Bata's Restaurant, he said. The site also has been a tavern and was the Raven Inn restaurant in the 1980s and 1990s before becoming the H.D. Youth Center.

The building withstood 12 feet of floodwater in 2008 that nearly reached the ceiling.

Restoration was time-consuming as crews rebuilt the building to historic standards.

Investments from the Batas and Chadimas, more than $500,000, was offset by two grants totaling $100,000 and historic tax credits, Lijun Chadima said.

Chadima said rebuilding work uncovered a Parlor City beer bottle and a 1914 calendar.

“History just fell out of the ceiling,” she said.

The original tin ceiling was restored and oak floors, salvaged from houses demolished for an office building on First Avenue SE, replaced the flood-damaged flooring.

Exposed brick in a section of the bar also retains the character of the building, which has seating for 62.

The bar will carry more than 50 wines and a variety of Iowa beers.

“We want to do as much ‘local' as we possibly can,” Nick Bata said.

The 2,500-pound wood stone oven - which proved a challenge to install and provides a visible wall of flame as customers walk in the door - will be used for pizzas, bread and other foods.

Three chefs, all educated through Kirkwood Community College's culinary arts program, complement the cooking done by Tony Bata.

“I'm more of an indigenous cook,” he said, referring to his roots growing up in a mixed neighborhood of Polish, Mexican, Lebanese and other cultures. “I think it's going to be a good marriage.”

Rich earth tones set a comfortable ambiance for the restaurant, said Melissa Whitehouse, who was hired to work at the restaurant after moving to Cedar Rapids from Davenport.

“I'm looking forward to what's happening down here,” she said of the New Bohemia district. “It's an uprising. They're coming back.”

New Bohemia's revival includes a new streetscape, reopening of bars, new businesses and forthcoming NewBo City Market.

The district's cultural focal point, CSPS Hall, 1103 Third St. SE, operated by the not-for-profit Legion Arts, reopened last year after a $6 million renovation.

“It's a stunning addition to a growing and truly unique neighborhood,” F. John Herbert, Legion Arts's executive director, said of the restaurant. “If you look at the history of this area, two principles jump out: that cultural diversity is fun, and that everyone's welcome. The restaurant that Nick and Tony have created embodies those beliefs.”

FYI

Bata's Restaurant, 1006 Third St. SE, will be open 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, with scheduled dinners on selected Mondays.

Go to

www.batasrestaurant.com or call (319)423-9740 for more information.