What else would you expect of a restaurant sandwiched between Columbia University and the Cathedral of St. the Divine except an oasis of political correctness? With those two proud bastions of liberalism as neighbors, it’s almost a certainty that Community Food & Juice would be a champion for free-roaming poultry and grass-fed free beef, but even the fish served here was once wild and never farmed. We’re talking an establishment certified by the Green Restaurant Association, with reclaimed wood tables and recycled wine bottles doing duty for water. And furthermore—NO CELL PHONES.
All this might seem like a bunch of rules and restrictions designed to inhibit fun and games, and yet Community Food & Juice has heart and soul, which is immediately evident upon entering the expansive and cacophonous room filled with a broad range of the Morningside Heights demographic. There are students and professors, as well as well-heeled young marrieds, and professionals with laptops doing business over coffee. Everyone seems happy, even the service staff whose rainbow diversity further reflects the remarkably heterogeneous neighborhood.
And there’s plenty good reason for good cheer: not only is the food at Community Food & Juice seasonally driven and locally farmed, but also the restaurant is run by the same folks who helm the wildly popular downtown Clinton St. Baking Co. That means a chilled organic potato leek soup, along with crostini toast, served with fava bean and chickpea hummus. And a garden fresh veggie sandwich, served with avocado, Muenster, beefsteak tomato, romaine, sprouts, herb mayo, on seven-grain, with dressed greens.
With its appealing menu and spot-on philosophy, Community Food & Juice evokes those college town canteens such as Moosewood and Chez Panisse—and reminds you why you loved eating your way through college.
LINK: Community Food & Juice
