Comfort food on menu for new Batavia restaurant

It’s Swedish food out, comfort food in, as a new restaurant plans to open in downtown Batavia.

The owner of the Gammon Coach House received his liquor license Monday night from the Batavia City Council.

The restaurant will move into the former Ona’s on the Avenue, at 3 S. Batavia Ave.

Ona’s was a short-lived venture, from June 2010 to January 2011.

“What we are trying to do is simple, comfort food ... and just bring a little neighborhood-type restaurant to the city,” said Jon With, president of Gammon Coach House. That will include pizzas, burgers and sandwiches, plus craft beers, With said. He also plans to offer beer and wine.

“He has promised us comfort food; that sounds good to me,” said Alderman Victor Dietz, chairman of the government services committee, which recommended granting the license.

With is a veteran of the local restaurant scene, having invested in Francesca’s restaurants in St. Charles and West Dundee, and he started Wildwood steakhouse in Geneva. He owns Bistro Thai in Geneva.

With said the restaurant will open late this month or early August.