After a devastating fire left Morningside Heights brunch enthusiasts sans Eggs Benedict from the Gods for 6 long months, Bwog was extremely concerned about a tip received from disconcerted patron Laura Gabriele while dining at Community Food and Juice last night.

Ms. Gabriele’s server informed her that there was a possibility that some sort of short circuit could have set off a small fire. First the NYPD arrived, and then Community called the fire department. The situation was managed within 20 minutes. The fire department inspected the kitchen, bathrooms and basement of Community, and then left.

Bwog was overwhelmingly relieved to hear a cheerful Chad answering the phone at the restaurant this morning. He explained that last night while our tipster was dining, “the manager on duty smelt something electrical, and was being very cautious” (and rightly so!) He asked NYPD officers who were hanging out across the street to come investigate. They agreed that there was an unusual odor, and agreed to call the fire department.

Upon the arrival of the firefighters, it was discovered that the source of the odor was not an electrical fire, but in fact a new generator Columbia had installed in the basement earlier that morning, that had only been operating on a test run for a few hours. The brand new machine was emitting something akin to “a new car smell,” that we were assured was totally harmless and has now completely dissipated. While last night some diners were moved towards the front of the restaurant to escape the unpleasant smell, nobody was evacuated, and Community is open for business as usual.

Crossing the threshold of the shiny, renovated Community Food and Juice, Bwog was in good company – at least a dozen other enthusiasts arrived at 8am sharp this morning to witness the reawakening of a culinary giant. As the fresh morning sun fell through the high windows and we prepared to spend $20 a piece on breakfast, it dawned upon us all – today, the recession ends.

Morningside will be glad to know that Community is looking so spick-and-span that it recalls the booming Clinton days of yore. Now relieved of the rarely used juice bar (replaced by additional seating) and making use of a revamped kitchen, our dear old Community seems almost flawless.

Bill, the jolly Chef de Cuisine, tells Bwog that “everyone is very happy” with the renovations, despite the delays. We have been missing Brioche French Toast and other delectables for such a long an unpredictable span of time, he says, mostly due to long waits for building permits, Fire Dept. clearance in the wake of the Great Fire, and other bureaucratic densities. But now the brunch we love is back, and nearby CC students were heard cramming Plato for a midterm over Blueberry Pancakes that they said “approached the form.”

Community will be open from 8am to 4pm today, tomorrow and Friday, with regular brunch and dinner hours (one hour closing in between) resuming Saturday. More pictures after the jump. Read more…

Fans of grass-fed beef, rejoice! Brian Phillips Donahoe, Bwog Brunch Correspondent, and president of the still-liminal Brunch House, notes that Community Food and Juice will be reopening THIS WEDNESDAY, October 21st, at 8:00am. See you for brunch!