News » Newsletters
Chiseled In Stone - The Newsletter - March 2008
March 28, 2008
A Clean Slate
The playing surface of billiard tables have traditionally been made using large slabs of slate which are ground and polished into a perfectly level surface. The preferred slate for billiard tables comes from northern Italy. The Italian slate is believed to be the best because it absorbs water more than other slates so that there are less problems with dampness on the felt cloth covering. (Excerpted from How Stuff Works)
Italian slate is considered the best slate to use because it absorbs water better than any other type. This means that there are few problems with dampness or humidity affecting the cloth.
Abu Dhabi. The Emirates Palace hotel has an exterior which changes colors as the Arabian sun rises and sets. Clad in Salisbury Pink granite and rose-colored marble the most expensive hotel every built (the rumor is $3.8 billion) is pale pink in the morning sun. But as the sun sets its exterior takes on a glowing rich salmon color. Its lobby boasts the world’s largest domed ceiling and it would take approximately an hour to walk around the exterior of the building. The suites for everyday Joe’s go for about $15, 000/night. (There are even nicer accommodations but you have to be a head of state or member of a royal family to be considered).
Granite cocktails!
Grown Up slurpees or alcohol infused versions of a fruit granitas. These icy, frozen versions of sangria, cosmopolitans or lemon drops are easy to make. Serve them in highballs or martini glasses. They work best with drinks that a have lower alcohol content (sorry, no martini slushees!)and fruit juice. Simply mix the drink and pour into a glass baking dish. Place in the freezer and after 20 minutes pull the dish and rake the contents with a fork. Repeat every 20 minutes until the desired “slush” texture is achieve. Use an ice cream scoop to fill the glass and enjoy!
Refined Stone recommends you always drink responsibly and NEVER drive when drinking.
Homebody’s Buddy
Millenium Pool Table,
Billiards by Design
Cleaning the playing surfaces of a billiard table requires the proper equipment as any good butler can tell you. The World Poo-Billiard Association recommends a soft (horse hair) brush, a cloth cleaner made with billiard fabric or a brushless vacuum cleaner. Never use a brush that sheds bristles. The preferred cloth? A nap-free, non-directional fabric made of at least 85% worsted wool, 100% is best. Only the colors of yellow-green, blue-green or electric blue are accepted by the WPA.
Expert’s Opinion
In a recent article in the Hartford Courant by Deborah Hornblow (Feb 29, 2008) the following chefs gave their recommendations countertop surfaces:
- Billy Grant, Restaurant Bricco & Grant’s, West Hartford - Prefers granite or marble, but likes a wood surface for rolling out pasta dough.
- Lori Hunter, Sweet & Savory Creations, Glastonbury - Prefers granite
- Carol Murdock, Classic Cakes shop, West Hartford - Prefers stainless steel, wood & formica
- Glenn Lemaire, Professor, Manchester Community College - Prefers granite.
Top 10 Hot Spots For Spring Break
Top 10 Vacation Spot for spring break according to the Student Travel Association.
10 New York
9 South Padre Island, Texas
8 Puerto Vallarta
7 Negril, Jamaica
6 Europe
5 Ski Resorts, North America
4 Rosarito Beach, Baja
3 Panama City, Florida
2 Acapulco, Mexico
1 Cancun, Mexico
