Giovanni’s Brooklyn Eats is officially back in business, much to the delight of its locals who welcomed the Italian eatery’s reopening after a year-long closure due to a fire that broke out last June. The new kitchen, now located diagonally across the street from its old location at 1666 Eighth Ave. in Park Slope, underwent extensive renovations to create a fresh yet familiar dining experience for the community.

Giovanni Tafuri, the restaurant’s owner, said opening night — held on Aug. 22 — was like a giant reunion for all those who were missing Gio’s authentic Brooklyn eats. “Every time the door opened, there was another regular customer. It was just incredible,” he said, highlighting how the community has rallied around the restaurant during its hiatus.