Tenafly March 2025

Tenaf ly

March 2025

CINEMA AND SONG

ALYSSA RALLO BENNETT

LEARNING FROM GRIEF

CLAIRE HARRIS TUNICK

Music Man Jason Hart

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MARCH 2025

Contents

16

12

20

8

26

30 F E AT U R ES

12 A Heart for Music

Jason Hart of Hart Music Studios inspires music lovers as an accomplished performer and popular teacher.

IN EVE RY ISSU E

4 Publisher’s Note MARCHING INTO SPRING 6 Around Town CHAMBER OF COMMERCE UPDATES 8 Q&A AUTO RETAILER NORMAN DORF

16 Movies, Songs and Storytelling

26 Local Tastes CAFÉ TROIS: MORE THAN A BAKERY

20 From Grief to Guidance

30 Better Health FOOD AS MEDICINE

Whether making films or writing music, Alyssa Rallo Bennett of Stonestreet Studios is drawn to the arts.

Tenafly author Claire Harris Tunick is helping others by reflecting on—and honoring—her daughter’s life.

28 Dining Guide PLACES TO EAT IN TENAFLY 29 Book Nook STORIES OF STRONG WOMEN 32 Photo Op GET READY FOR SPRING ON TH E COVE R

Jason Hart’s lifelong love of music led to a career as a pianist in New York before he settled in Tenafly and established his local studio.

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

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PUBLISHER’S NOTE

Marching into Spring

PHOTOGRAPH BY ALYSON BARROW

also making waves in the creative world with films and music that approach storytelling in unique ways, especially through her studio, Stonestreet Studios.

Meanwhile, Claire Harris Tunick shares the moving story of her daughter Dana, whose achievements and journey through medical challenges are a testament to resilience and family love.

Tunick’s book sends a powerful message to people dealing with isolation or family struggles: “You are not alone.”

Finally, we look at Café Trois—a cozy spot in Tenafly offering great food and an inviting atmosphere for all to enjoy—along with a dietitian’s view of food as medicine .

We hope these stories remind you of the strength and creativity that make Tenafly such a special place.

We’d like to take a moment to remember Steve Rogers, the late CEO of the Kaplen Jewish Community Center on the Palisades. Rogers’ unwavering dedication to the community left an indelible mark, and his leadership at the JCC created a welcoming space for so many people. A tribute to him will be included in our next issue.

As always, if you have any ideas or suggestions to share for making Tenafly magazine even better, please email me at hello@tenaflymagazine.com.

Spring is just around the corner, and in this issue we’re celebrating the people and places that make Tenafly shine.

First, we’re excited to introduce Norm Dorf, a third-generation owner of Honda of Tenafly, whose dedication to both his business and community is truly inspiring.

You’ll also meet Jason Hart, a talented pianist and owner of Hart Music Studios, where he’s fostering the next generation of musicians—and audiences.

Director Alyssa Rallo Bennett is

Gina Palmieri Publisher

Tenaf ly MAGAZINE

Publisher Gina Palmieri Local Editor Jenna Demmer Writers Ron Lyons Jr. Julie Marallo Gabrielle Marcus Gabrielle Walters Spencer Watson Photographers Alyson Barrow Damian Castillo WAINSCOT MEDIA Chairman Carroll V. Dowden President and CEO Mark Dowden VP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan Creative Director Kijoo Kim Art Director Rosemary O›Connell Executive Editor Richard Laliberte Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer Operations Director Catherine Rosario Production Designer Chris Ferrante Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden Tenafly magazine is published by Wainscot Media. Serving residents of Tenafly, the magazine is distributed monthly via U.S. mail. Articles and advertisements contained herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publishers. Copyright 2025 by Wainscot Media LLC. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent.

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WHAT’S NEW AROUND TOWN

March Chamber Updates Community events, attractions and opportunities from the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce

BY JENNY JACKSON

North Jersey Home Maintenance Group Your shop for all your home handyman, home maintenance and renovation needs. www.njhmg.com Tenafly Pizza Restaurant Check out the newly renovated TPR Bar offering craft cocktails, wines and beers perfect for pairing with creative dishes. A beautiful new vibe that you must check out!

38 W. Railroad Ave. https://tprrestaurant.com

Do you know your power? Do you

know that you can actively make our town better for everyone, including yourself and your dearest, to enjoy?

Yes, you can patronize restaurants that you love and shop local where you can, but what I’m suggesting here is to get involved with the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce. Put your talents and support toward transforming Tenafly into an even better place for our community to proudly call home.

Tenafly is diverse and full of talent.

We have fantastic schools and incredible residents. Our town center should reflect the richness of our ideals, and it’s up to all of us to make it happen.

If you have a business, work with a team serving Tenafly or would like to enhance your home community with support from your professional organization, we want you to join as a member!

Visit www.tenaflychamber.org/about to learn more about membership.

With 70-plus members, our diverse Tenafly Chamber of Commerce membership spans the spectrum of services.

Here are seven businesses and organizations across industries— all based right here in town—that are making our daily lives better and contributing to a better community overall.

Kaplen JCC on the Palisades Don’t miss Lavish: An Evening of Art & Wine on Thursday, March 20, in support of the JCC Senior Services department.

411 E. Clinton Ave. www.jccotp.org Tenafly Rotary Have a passion for community service? Join the Tenafly branch of Rotary International. www.tenaflyrotaryclub.org

Tenafly Orthodontics The finest orthodontic treatments across all age groups and needs, from adult orthodontics to early interceptive phases.

111 Dean Drive www.tenaflyortho.com Orly Chen RE/MAX Real Estate Group Looking to buy or sell? This group can help you navigate the complex real estate market in northern New Jersey.

3 W. Railroad Ave. www.orlychen.com Norma Wellington Fine Jewelry Wellington is an expert in repairing or redesigning your old fine jewelry pieces as well as creating new custom designs. Schedule an appointment for a consultation.

201-567-7554 www.normawellingtondesigns.com Remember to shop the shops and dine local to keep our community strong and vibrant!

Jenny Jackson serves as the Tenafly Chamber of Commerce president and Tenafly Downtown Committee co-president. The Chamber is a local nonprofit organization that serves to enhance and elevate the Tenafly community experience by actively supporting our local businesses.

To learn more, visit www.tenaflychamber.org.

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Q &a

Behind the Wheels Meet a local auto retailer whose family business began with his grandfather in 1932.

BY GABRIELLE MARCUS

INTERVIEW WITH

NORMAN DORF

In a town rich with history

but constantly evolving with new residents, few families can claim roots as deep as Norman Dorf ’s. As the third-generation owner of Honda of Tenafly, Dorf isn’t just a businessman; he’s the proud steward of a legacy that spans nearly 100 years. His family has been a cornerstone of this community since his grandfather first became an auto retailer in 1932. Let’s get to know the man now behind the wheel of the business.

Did you always want to join the auto business?

My grandfather started with Chevrolet in 1932 and my father took on the Honda franchise in 1971. I have been coming to the store my entire life, and it was always my destiny. After college, I sold cars, and after years of working nights and weekends, I decided I wanted to go to law school. Shortly after, I realized the grass was not greener and I was very fortunate to have a family business to go into, and here I am.

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What sets your dealership apart?

I do not worry about satisfied customers, I focus on satisfied employees. If your employees are capable, happy and know they are cared about, everything else falls into place. I try to make it a great place to work.

How do you ensure your dealership meets local needs?

Norman Dorf’s family life is entwined in both Tenafly and the auto dealership that has served the community for three generations.

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY NORMAN DORF

We provide outstanding service and great deals for our customers. We are also very involved in the community—the schools, teams, charities, etc.

Can you share a memorable story or customer experience?

Seeing the excitement of someone who has never owned a new vehicle before or a young person who just got their license or a person who now doesn’t have to take the bus to get to work—these are things we see on a daily basis, and it is a privilege to be involved in making it happen.

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Q &a

The auto business began when Dorf’s grandfather opened a Chevrolet dealership.

Dorf’s father took on the Honda franchise in 1971.

What are some favorite memories of growing up here?

How has the town changed over the years, and how do you feel about it?

Going to the nature center! And I think I remember seeing elephants on what is now the field behind the police department when the circus would come to town. The old A&P, Gristedes Supermarket, Tenafly Department Store, Halls clothing store, Maragliano’s Candy. Demarest’s Hardware Store, Dairy Queen, The Lounge, Angelo’s Pizzas—and maybe the most missed is County Discount, the toy store in the middle of Washington Avenue. I loved going there and remember begging my mother for toys!

The town at its core is the same: great schools, safe, well maintained, close proximity to NYC. Obviously, the world has changed, so Tenafly continues to evolve. It seems like the new officials have a good grasp on what the town needs.

What’s your favorite part about living and working in Tenafly?

The people—and I have an easy commute to work.

Gabrielle Marcus is a Tenafly resident who left the bustle of New York City to embrace the suburban life with her husband, Brian, and lay down roots in a more nurturing environment.

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A Heart for

Music Jason Hart of Hart Music Studios inspires music lovers as an accomplished performer and popular teacher.

BY RON LYONS JR.

just a career—it’s a lifelong passion that has taken him on a journey from his roots in Florida around the world, with his final stop right here in Tenafly.

Today, he is the proud owner of Hart Music Studios, where he and his team of talented instructors teach the next generation of music lovers to play instruments like the piano, guitar and ukulele. But his path to this point hasn’t been an easy one.

Originally from Lakeland, Florida, Hart has had a love for music since he was 9, playing the piano. Despite his parents thinking it was just a phase, his passion for music continued to grow from there.

In 2003, Hart received a scholarship to travel to Austria with the American Institute of Musical Studies for a six-week study-abroad performance program. During this time, he studied under worldrenowned instructors, performing alongside musicians from around the world on some of Europe’s most prestigious stages.

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

Jason Hart’s love for music isn’t

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Jason Hart became known as a skilled pianist in New York City after graduating with a degree in piano performance, but dedicated himself to music education after moving to Tenafly to raise his family.

educator focus,” he says. “I feel I just have a natural gift when it comes to teaching.”

Every student who walks through Hart’s door interested in playing an instrument may not always go on to be a professional musician. But they take away something much greater with them.

“Ninety-eight percent of my students don’t major in music in college or go on to have a music career, but I show them to have an appreciation for music,” Hart says—“to have a place for music in their lives.”

He believes that through his music lessons, he’s creating the next generation of audiences, whether it be for the opera, concerts or simply the radio.

Building a Following After earning his degree in piano performance from Florida Southern College, where he met his opera-singing wife, Christina, Hart moved to New York City in 2004 with big dreams and determination to make his mark on the world of music.

In New York, Hart quickly became known for his skills as a pianist, working alongside various singers and musicians at the height of his career.

As time went on, Hart’s family began to grow, and he had his first child. Like most, he wanted to raise his family outside of the city yet still be close enough to hear the

music coming out of it. Hart and his family found their home in Tenafly, where he transitioned from a performer to a teacher.

Beginning with a few door-to-door lessons, he quickly built a full-fledged business. With a large clientele and growing word of mouth, Hart opened Hart Music Studios in 2018. What started in his living room expanded into a thriving enterprise that now serves students of all ages and skill levels.

Becoming a teacher to students who want to take up an instrument was rather easy for Hart, as it felt like a second calling to him.

“I’ve always been someone who’s had an

Personal Connections The most rewarding part about the work he does is when students can look back at the progress they’ve made and see how something that was once rather hard soon became something of ease.

For example, Adam Singolda moved to Tenafly three years ago and is currently a student of Hart Music Studios, alongside his two daughters. “Music is like a language,” says Singolda. He chose Hart as a teacher because of Hart’s passion for music. Singolda describes Hart as a big kid at heart. “Jason loves music like kids love chocolate,” he says.

The biggest takeaway Singolda and his daughters are gaining from their lessons is creativity and independence.

“Music is a beautiful form of creation, and emotions are the instruments,” says Singolda. Whether or not his children wish to continue with music in the future, he believes they’ll have developed the skills and independence to make their own choices and pursue what they truly want.

Since moving to Tenafly, Hart and his wife have quickly become familiar faces to families in the community, sharing their love of music by performing at both the summer and winter concert series, including local festivals.

Last November, at the Presbyterian

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Hart’s home studio includes a variety of musical instruments, including multiple pianos, along with technology that helps with a range of creative tasks.

Church, Hart played Chopin’s 24 Preludes.

Today, Hart Music Studios has become a staple in the Tenafly community.

Hart’s approach to teaching is deeply personal, focusing not only on technique but also on building a connection with each student. He holds an annual recital where students make virtual home videos showcasing their performance, which classes then watch through Zoom.

Last year was the first in-person recital since the COVID-19 pandemic. Hart will be returning to the Presbyterian Church in March for a performance, and if you wish to take up lessons, he can be reached by email at hms@hartmusicstudios.com.

Ron Lyons Jr. is a freelance journalist whose work has appeared in publications including Business Insider, Slate and Tom’s Guide.

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Alyssa Rallo Bennett began her career with acting, which soon branched into making films from behind the camera as a director.

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Movies, Songs and Storytelling Whether making films or writing music, Alyssa Rallo Bennett of Stonestreet Studios has always been drawn to the arts.

BY SPENCER WATSON

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY ALYSSA RALLO BENNETT

Tenafly serves as home for many.

For Alyssa Rallo Bennett, it also serves as a frequent filming location. Much of her feature film “ReRun,” starring Christopher Lloyd, was shot in Tenafly and Englewood.

Her journey in Tenafly began with directing a music video in both Tenafly and Rockleigh shortly after moving to the area in the 1990s. Her latest project, a pilot titled “Scarecrow,” was shot at Flat Rock Brook in Englewood and features a child actor from Tenafly.

Bennett is a multitalented director and musician who started her career as an actor.

She grew up in a creative household. “I was always into the arts,” she says. “My dad’s a poet. My mother was a dancer and also did some acting herself.”

Bennett grew up in New York City and went to Stuyvesant High School, starring in acting roles from a young age. She wanted to pursue many creative outlets and saw acting as an opportunity to explore them all.

“I just love the idea of getting to be different people and being in different people’s shoes and perspectives, and

that branched into theater and making films,” she explains.

Hands-On Experience In addition to pursuing film, Bennett also started playing music at a young age. She released her album “Anymore” and, more recently, three new singles. She performs with the piano, and expanded her musical talents during the pandemic by learning to play the electric guitar.

She tells stories through both film and music. “I really enjoy what I think is such a universal language,” she says. “I just find that playing music is such a joy. I don’t need anybody to do it. I can just sit down at the piano and I can do it.”

Bennett attended New York University’s Tisch program for acting and now offers a residency program for NYU Tisch students and other emerging artists at Stonestreet Studios, providing hands-on experience in acting, directing, producing and writing.

“Instead of training exactly in the traditional way of going to school and taking classes, we immerse people in our film

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A program at Bennett’s Stonestreet Studios gives young filmmakers hands-on experience in a professional setting, often working with notable talents such as (left, at center) award-winning actor Bryan Cranston.

studio, and we get them making films,” she says. “We get them to produce their own careers in a very sort of proactive way.”

The studio has successfully launched careers as actors, directors and producers. Residents of Tenafly and the tristate area have the opportunity to explore this summer program at the studio’s Manhattan location.

Stonestreet Studios is also unique for its pioneering work in creating micro-movies. These short films are under 10 minutes long and are shot in one or two locations. Many of these projects are available on platforms like YouTube, alongside the studio’s series “Behind the Scenes at Stonestreet Studios.” The series covers what goes into the process of making all these film projects.

Films with a Conscience Many of the films Bennett directs have a social consciousness, exploring current topics with a psychological edge. “We’ve made features about reproductive rights without being polemic, taking sides, but just to really grapple with the questions and the characters,” she says.

Her film “The Pack” is an homage to the film “12 Angry Men” and addresses the topic of personal responsibility.

The studio has made features about topics such as secondhand smoke and the environment. “I love the idea of giving an audience the opportunity to think for themselves and learn through opposing points of view and character,” Bennett says.

Looking to the future, Bennett is excited that her first series, called “Scarecrow,” is possibly headed for network television. She looks forward to audiences streaming her studio’s films on more streaming platforms.

“Aberrant,” which will be re-released as “Vineland,” is a film that was shot in Brooklyn and Tenafly.

As a Tenafly resident of almost

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Bennett is involved with virtually every aspect of her productions, including appearing at film festivals with colleague writers, producers, directors and actors such as Christopher Lloyd (above at right), who stars in Bennett’s film “ReRun,” shot in Tenafly and Englewood.

LEARN MORE To explore Alyssa and Gary Bennett’s film work and find out about the Stonestreet Screen Acting and Production Residency in New York and Los Angeles, visit www.stonestreet.net.

To hear Alyssa Bennett’s music, visit www.alyssabennett.com and click “Music.”

30 years, Bennett appreciates the town’s music programs. They, along with her husband, who co-founded Stonestreet Studios, are creative elements that add to the vibrant artistic community in Tenafly.

“I encourage everyone to be involved in the arts in some way, shape or form, whether they go see theater and film or whether they create it or write stories, because I think we’re really as good as the stories we tell,” says Bennett.

She highlights that everyone can write, sing or make music. Creating a film has become more accessible

through technology, and internships such as those offered at Stonestreet Studios allow more hands-on approaches to creative work. Film enthusiasts can explore film festivals that feature Stonestreet Studios’ films in both New Jersey and New York.

Pondering art, Bennett adds: “I think it just makes us healthier as people, and it helps us connect to each other and find out more about ourselves and each other.”

Spencer Watson is a lifelong Bergen County resident. She is a poet and freelance writer who frequently writes about local news in New Jersey.

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Tenafly author Claire Harris Tunick is helping others by reflecting on—and honoring—her daughter’s life.

BY GABRIELLE WALTERS

Longtime Tenafly resident Claire

From Grief To Guidance

Writing to Cope Writing is not new to Tunick. After meeting her husband, Steve, in college, she began her career as a teacher, eventually spending years teaching seventh and eighth graders in West New York.

Her passion for writing deepened when she enrolled in an intensive writing workshop at Columbia University’s Teachers College, where she was required

PHOTOGRAPHS BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

Harris Tunick knows firsthand that life rarely unfolds as planned. Her life’s path took her on a challenging journey, and she had no guidebook to navigate it.

While raising her two daughters, Dana and Jacqueline, Tunick faced the unique challenges while caring for Dana, who was born with an abnormally enlarged heart—a congenital heart defect that kept her in and out of hospitals.

Tunick found herself desperately seeking guidance on how to navigate the situation.

Through her journey, she faced stress and grief in the best way she could, and now, with the help of her book “Red Hair, Blue Lips,” she offers her experience and guidance to others navigating their own hardships.

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“I would look for books on how people cope. Can you survive this? What if the worst happens?”

- Claire Harris Tunick

to free-write daily without putting her pen down. It was during this time that she began documenting her experiences with Dana’s condition.

“I wrote, ‘She slept more than the other babies,’” Tunick recalls. From that observation, her book began to take shape. She wrote about doctor visits, surgeries, parenting struggles and family life. She poured her fears and hopes into her writing, using it as an outlet.

While writing served as an outlet for her stress, she longed to find a book that would help her navigate this experience and answered the questions that constantly swirled in her mind.

“I would look for books on how people cope,” she says. “Can you survive this? What if the worst happens?”

In 2017, the outcome that Tunick feared came true: Dana passed.

Although she was consumed with grief, Tunick recognized that the book she had been writing was on its way to finding an ending.

“I didn’t know how [the book] was going to end until it did,” she says. “Red Hair, Blue Lips” not only covers Tunick’s experience while Dana was still living, but also her journey through grief once Dana passed.

“It’s something that I really needed to read when I was going through all of this,” says Tunick. “[At the time] there was nothing.” Through her book, she hopes to show others that although it is unimaginable, there is life after losing a loved one.

Healing Through Community Today, Tunick continues to share her strength and resilience with the community through writing and giving back.

For the past decade, she has run Blue Sky Writers, a writing group for cancer survivors.

She also honors Dana’s memory through Dana’s Memorial Library, an annual book drive in which she donates over 450 children’s books to Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital at New YorkPresbyterian. Each book bears a sticker reading, “In Loving Memory of Dana Tunick,” offering a meaningful tribute to Dana. As a teacher, librarian and avid reader, Dana would have been in awe of the project.

Tunick, who moved to Tenafly in 1985 after outgrowing the apartment where her family had been living, remembers the overwhelming support of her community during Dana’s hospitalizations.

“Every time my daughter was in the hospital, there was a food train at my door, people making phone calls and people giving me rides to the hospital,” she says.

This support helped ease the stresses of daily life. Years later, Tunick found healing through Sacred Space Mediation, a Tenafly-based business.

After Dana’s passing, Tunick, her

husband and Jacqueline began taking meditation classes at the studio, and she credits owner Tania Gold’s classes with helping her family navigate the early days of grief.

Through her journey, Tunick has learned to embrace life with gratitude and joy, focusing on her blessings.

“It forced us to be so appreciative of what we did have,” she says—“to be constantly grateful for what we had and to never sweat the minutiae.

Unimportant things slide right off me.

It made [our family] people who are quick to laugh and enjoy what life has to offer.”

By focusing on what truly matters, Tunick has built a life filled with resilience, love and purpose. Her journey serves as a reminder that, even in the face of loss, it’s possible to find joy, make meaningful connections and leave a positive mark on the world.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner. You can find her wellness products in multiple stores across Bergen County.

MARCH 2025

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BERGEN WOMEN’S

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View All Our Issues!

Visit us online at tenaflymagazine.com

Tenafly Tenafly

September 2024

August 2024

SALON 201

CONNECTION KING

A STYLIST’S MAKEOVER

ADVOCATE JONAH GOLD

PHYLLIS CORTESE

COMEDY VETERAN

TURNING CHAOS INTO CALM

LINETTE PALLADINO

9/11 AFTERMATH

NEAT FREAKS HOME

HOW PEN PALS HELPED STUDENTS

TASTES OF COLOMBIA

AT CAFETALES

Tasteful Transformation The Spring House’s Jon Krieger

$25 off any color service with blowout for all new clients for the month of March.

Scoring in Life

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Tenaf ly

October 2024

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November 2024

A WRITER’S ROOTS LAUREN ALIZA GREEN

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22 West Railroad Ave. Tenafly, NJ

A ZEAL FOR SCIENCE

LIFE LESSONS

FROM A COMBAT VET

CAMILLE LEDERER

A SPARKLING CAREER

TENNIS COACH

GORDON UEHLING

GEMOLOGIST ELISA BRISMAN

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Sewing Up Success

Marketing The Red Bulls

Elly Geana-Park

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Tenaf ly

December 2024

2/7/25 9:27 AM

Joseph Stetson

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Tenafly

January 2025

STRESS LESS

Neck & Back Rehabilitation Medical Insurance Accepted & Filed

MINDFULNESS COACH MIRANDA LEE

SUPPORTING STRONGER COMMUNITIES

A YEN FOR YOGA

Treatment Specialists for:

JOANNA AMORATIS

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ALL THAT JAZZ RICHARD BARATTA

Celebrating Movement

Crime

Queen

Revolution Dance Academy

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Sciatica Pinched Nerves Degenerative Disc Symptoms Auto / Work Related Injuries Herniated / Bulging Discs

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LOCAL TASTES

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More Than a Bakery Trained in Paris, baker Jong Lee expanded offerings at his third shop, fittingly named Café Trois.

BY GABRIELLE WALTERS

Nestled at 20 Washington St., Café Trois is a charming eatery that has something for everyone in Tenafly.

Whether you are in the mood for drinks, brunch, baked goods or cakes, Café Trois is the neighborhood go-to spot where every moment of the day can be made a little sweeter.

This location was no coincidence. Owner Jong Lee chose Tenafly for his third café— following successful spots in Northvale and Fort Lee—after discovering that many of his Northvale customers were Tenafly residents.

Drawn by the town’s tucked-away streets, Lee envisioned a bright, inviting space where visitors could feel at home, as though they were enjoying coffee in a sunlit kitchen.

While his initial focus was on coffee and bread, he quickly realized that locals craved pastries and brunch options as well, inspiring him to expand the menu.

His vision was to accommodate the needs of all customers, whether that be grabbing a coffee, picking up pastries or getting a delicious treat as a hostess gift. While there are many options to choose from, avocado toast has been a town favorite.

French Fundamentals “Trois,” which means “three” in French, reflects the three bakers who provide Café Trois with fresh pastries daily.

Originally from Korea, Lee began his baking journey in 1994 in Paris, where he mastered the fundamentals of baking. He has continued his craft for over 30 years, moving to the United States in 2005.

Today, Lee takes great pride in Café Trois, which offers freshly baked, preservative-free pastries every day. He also gives back to the local community by donating leftovers to The Food Brigade in Dumont after each business day.

Café Trois attracts a diverse crowd.

Mornings are filled with seniors enjoying coffee. Students take over in the afternoons.

Lunchtime welcomes a mix of families and professionals.

Café Trois is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information, call 201-897-1739.

Gabrielle Walters is a Tenafly resident and small business owner.

MARCH 2025

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DINING GUIDE

Places to Eat in Tenafly Pizza Nova 24 Washington St. 201-894-9700 Simply Vietnamese 1 Highwood Ave. 201-568-7770 https://simplyvietnamese.info Spring House 91 W. Clinton Ave. 201-353-0080 www.springhousetenafly.com

Spring House

Awe & Wonder Coffee Shop 35 Highwood Ave. 201-569-1461

JCC Café 411 E. Clinton Ave. 201-569-7900

Axia Taverna 18 Piermont Road 201-569-5999 www.axiataverna.com

La Promenade 137 Piermont Road 201-567-2500 https://laprom.com

Cafe Angelique 1 Piermont Road 201-541-1010 http://cafeangeliquenyc.com/

Mel’s Butcher Box 10 W. Railroad Ave. 201-266-4633 www.melsbutcherbox.com

Celebrity Bagels 30 W. Railroad Ave. 201-894-5555

Miller’s Bakery 5 Washington St. 201-871-4449 https://millersbakeshop.com

Chick & Roll 24 W. Railroad Ave., Unit H 201-351-8888 www.chickenandroll.com Europe Café & Grill 1 Highwood Ave. 201-569-4444 www.europecafegrill.com

Mr. Wok & Sushi 1 Highwood Road 201-569-3969 www.mrwoksushinj.com

Tenafly Hot Bagels 35B Washington St. 201-567-2935 The 130 Club Steakhouse 130 County Road 201-431-2427 https://the130club.com TPR Restaurant Pizzeria 38 W. Railroad Ave. 201-871-0444 www.tenaflypizza.com/ about.php

Tavlin 7 Railroad Ave. 201-871-6060 https://tavlintenafly.com

Veda Contemporary Indian Cuisine 10 Jay St. 201-399-7788 www.vedatenafly.com/ djmaxihz/restaurant/ order-online

Tenafly Diner 16 W. Railroad Ave. 201-567-5522 www.tenaflyclassicdiner.com

Yasou Santorini 35 Washington Ave. 201-569-1000 https://yasougreekfood.com

Yasou Santorini

SPRING HOUSE PHOTOGRAPH BY BRIAN MARCUS; YASOU SANTORINI BY DAMIAN CASTILLO

Osaka Sushi 23A Washington St. 201-345-7029 https://osakasushitenafly.com

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BOOK NOOK

Stories of Strong Women Selections by Tenafly’s public library director provide varied perspectives to mark Women’s History Month.

BY JULIE MARALLO

This March, celebrate Women’s History Month through literature.

The following five novels have strong women as their protagonists. They represent different genres, and some of them are set in historical periods particularly difficult for women. All of the novels are for adults.

“AMERICAN SPY”

by Lauren Wilkinson Marie Mitchell is an FBI agent during the Cold War. As a Black woman trying to make a name for herself in a man’s world, she is disappointed when her first big assignment is to seduce and extract information from Burkina Faso’s new president, Thomas Sankara.

However, as she gets to know him and his politics, she starts to question the entire operation.

“IN THE TIME OF THE BUTTERFLIES”

by Julia Alvarez This novel is a fictionalized account of the Mirabal sisters, three women who sacrificed their lives to overthrow Rafael Trujillo, the violent former dictator of the Dominican Republic. Called Las Mariposas, or The Butterflies, the women took on the challenge of political organizing. This story includes compelling diary entries from the fourth and youngest sister, who survived Trujillo.

“THE CHARMED WIFE”

“CIRCE”

by Madeline Miller Born to the sun god Helios and a nymph, Circe is neither powerful nor beautiful. Her limited powers and her interest in humans are her downfall. After being banished to a deserted island by Zeus, Circe hones her skills as a witch and stands up to men and gods alone. While Circe is best known for turning men into swine, this is a story of a woman trying to live a moral life when she has never seen an example of one.

by Olga Grushin In this novel, Cinderella has her Prince Charming, but after 13 years of marriage and two children, she wants him dead.

Forget the original Cinderella story; this is for fans of magical realism with a dark sense of humor. The author describes it best: “Expect singing teapots and bumbling magicians, yes; but expect also therapists, lawyers and custody battles.”

Julie Marallo is the director of the Tenafly Public Library.

MARCH 2025

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BETTER HEALTH

Food as Medicine For National Nutrition Month, start improving health and healing right in your own kitchen.

BY STACEY ANTINE, MS, RDN

Food is a fundamental need for the body and mind to fuel itself. Food comes in various forms, shapes, sizes and flavors to meet the endless demands and desires of people of all ages. According to US News & World Report, Italy is ranked No. 1 globally for having the best food. It is home to the most centenarians in a country thanks to the Mediterranean diet that emphasizes plant-based foods and healthy fats.

While Americans may have more food choices than many nations, the quality and quantity of food have resulted in over 70% of adults being obese or overweight, according to the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention (CDC).

Food also has powerful links to emotions and memories. For example, we are rewarded with food and celebrate memories, anniversaries, birthdays and more with food.

From my experience as a dietitian, I believe that the subject of food and nutrition is confusing for many, from children to seniors. We need to be educated to help navigate what’s best for our bodies and minds.

March is National Nutrition Month, so we will emphasize that nutritious food is medicine. The universal example is that

when we’re not feeling well, many of us reach for homemade chicken soup—it’s known to strengthen the body and soul while starting the healing process.

Health is wealth. It begins in the kitchen, not the medicine cabinet. The concept of food as medicine is the idea that food and nutrition can help prevent disease, sustain health and treat certain conditions.

With this mindset, we can develop stronger bodies and healthier minds (though diet doesn’t replace necessary medical care).

Let’s navigate the kitchen (free of TVs and devices) to seek out the essential nutrients the body needs:

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and Vegetables 1 Fruits A variety of fresh produce, deep

refined grains such as pretzels and white bread.) Fat satiates us and feeds our brains. (Limit saturated fat from animals and enjoy unsaturated fats from plants, such as olives and cold-pressed olive oil.)

in rich colors along with key vitamins and minerals, should be at the center of the plate. Sharpen your chef knife and start chopping rather than buying the precut stuff.

Chopping releases delicious aromas from these earthly nutrient powerhouses that get taste buds ready to eat. So enjoy a rough chop of juicy bell peppers loaded with vitamin C for cooking—and snack on a few slices, too!

Natural Sugars By this I mean fruits—not cookies, cakes or sugary drinks such as sodas. Train your taste buds to set a warning signal for processed sugars.

Once you wean off them, everything will taste too sweet except an apple.

2 Macronutrients There are three of these critical

4 Spices Spices add flavor and healing

nutrients for the body: protein, carbs and fats. Protein builds muscle and repairs tissues for recovery. (Opt for lean for animal proteins and plant-based proteins.)

Carbohydrates are the body’s primary source of fuel. (It’s key to eat complex carbs such as whole grains—including brown rice, quinoa and air-popped, lightly seasoned popcorn—instead of simple or

3

properties to foods. Examples include turmeric to decrease inflammation and cinnamon to regulate blood sugar. So

put away the salt shaker and experiment with these culinary superheroes.

5 Herbs These are nature’s gift for health.

Grow your own indoors or outdoors for a daily dose to flavor food or sip in teas.

Healthy options range from chamomile flowers and lavender to help reduce anxiety, to oregano and basil for an immune boost, to fennel seeds to aid digestion.

Spring cleaning is in the air as we welcome the new season on March 20. It’s a perfect time to reset the kitchen and purge foods that don’t fall into categories in the list above. Stock up with foods that will nourish you inside and out because, most importantly, food is love!

Stacey Antine, MS, RDN, is the founder of HealthBarn USA, in Ridgewood, and author of “Appetite for Life.” She is a national expert in family nutrition and has appeared on the Rachael Ray Show, CNN, PBS-TV and hundreds of broadcast, print and social channels.

MARCH 2025

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PHOTO OP

Get Ready for Spring Prepare for signs of life like this as temperatures warm. In a photo taken last spring, Susan Terman captured a visitor at the Tenafly Community Garden behind the Municipal Building.

Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to hello@tenaflymagazine.com.

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