This 1700s Bergen County home now a 'world-class bar, restaurant' in Tenafly
The historic Demarest-Lyle House has been a lot of things over the past 230 years; a residential home, rustic office space and even a Tenafly town property.
As of today, though, it's officially a sophisticated restaurant and social club backed by a Michelin-experienced chef and the same venture development group behind acclaimed vegan spot Fat Choy.
Donning its newest persona, the Swiss chalet-style is now Spring House — and it's already open for dining.
Bringing a 'world-class bar and restaurant' to Tenafly
Spring House, in its owners words, is a "world-class bar, restaurant and social club" in Tenafly. Under the direction of chef Pasquale Frola, a European-trained culinary expert who recently helped a restaurant on a cruise ship (we're not kidding) get a Michelin star, it serves globally-inspired fine dining fare, craft cocktails and various libations.
Some items currently on the menu? Head-on Argentine shrimp over polenta, grilled octopus with Calabrian peppers and an elevated take on lasagna bolognese.
Each of those offerings, the House's owners say, is about to "redefine locals' gastronomic experiences" by delivering them "a culinary experience like no other."
Modern dishes in classic, 1700s digs
The team behind the suave, old-world concept is Cure Companies; a Bergen County-based restaurant and hospitality group responsible for Fat Choy (one of our top ten new restaurants of 2023), as well as Bluestone Lane (an internationally-acclaimed coffee shop franchise with over 60 locations around the country).
The Spring House, however, promises to be completely unique from the company's other projects, as the Demarest-Lyle residence has a one-of-a-kind history that, as a guest, is hard to ignore.
"Once you walk in you're transported to a whole different century," Eduardo Larios, creative director of the restaurant, said.
"It's the oldest house in Tenafly," general manager David Feeback added.
And one, that "everybody has a story about," partner Brandon Hirsch finished.
That novel — yet classical — atmosphere, the team shares, is what sets the spot apart.
And, though we have yet to devour a meal at the restaurant's post-Revolution-chic tables, the prospect of modern dishes (or a good-old filet) under vaulted ceilings has us excited to do so ASAP.
Spring House is officially open for dinner and drinks at 91 West Clinton Ave. in Tenafly. To learn more about the restaurant, or make a reservation, visit springhousetenafly.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can't find her in Jersey's best restaurants, she's probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Tenafly NJ restaurant opens in 1700s-era Demarest-Lyle House
