Can we make Teaneck like Tenafly?

Last night, I met my wife for dinner at Ariel’s. Choice was Mocha or Ariel’s. I made the wrong one. While the food was good and the service great, fact is, as I mentioned earlier, it's just a plain Jane dairy place. None of that "wow!" that they had when they first opened. The lack of a crowd showed that all agree with me. The chef/owner needs to reinvigorate the place.

Afterwards, we drove over to the Red Mango frozen yogurt store in Tenafly. Incredible.

Is it like Bumbleberry? Yes. If you consider a Camry like a Lexus since they both drive.

For starters, the staff rocks. They are out their giving samples, asking if you need help, and really hard working. At Bumbleberry, it appears as if the staff is just passing time until they roll their next joint. Don’t get me wrong- I love Bumbleberry- but Red Mango is on their game.

They have a lot more toppings available and a lot more space to walk around. There are tables and benches galore, both inside and outside. Once again- not faulting Bumbleberry- they tried a new concept in Teaneck and started small….

Finally, we walked around downtown Tenafly. Simply put- gorgeous. Benches (can’t find those on Queen Ann Road), flowers and wide walkways abound.

So here is my thought, and I will put this in writing to the Council and Planning Board- why not experiment and make West Englewood Avenue into a pedestrian, plaza-like Fulton Street in downtown NYC, or like a Ben Yehudah Street in Jerusalem.

There are currently 35 or so parking spots- leave 5-7 on each end and start the plaza 100 feet in. The 25 spots lost can easily be replaced in the commuter parking lots behind both sides of the street, or off the Plaza (is the Glatt Express parking lot busy? Yes. Is it full? No. For a later discussion, the zoning plan currently allows for a multi-story parking lot in the current lots place).

Bring in benches, al fresca dining, etc. and combine that with the current wifi and you’ve got game!

But, don’t do anything permanent just yet.  Let's try it once a month on a Thursday or Sunday and see how it goes…