Archive for August, 2010
Pub stools-Take note of the height of your bar counter
Although the above statement may seem like common sense I have, on many occasions, been in bars and pubs where the bar stool was the wrong size for the bar or table at which I sat.
Many proprieters spend a lot of time and energy on the look and feel of the bar’s environment but fail to look seriously at how comfortable the customers will be when seated.
For instance if you have a bar counter that is 46″ then the most appropriate stool would be 34″. A quick rule-of-thumb is to have a 9-13″ gap between the seat and the counter. This will give a very comfortable experience to the customer and have the average person in an ideal position at the bar.
For a traditional pub or tavern with a 46″ bar counter I would recommend a high-back wood style 34″ stool with a foot rest. This would provide maximum comfort with that added authentic look and feel.
Cafe stools
For a cafe it is always best to have metal stools or chairs as opposed to plastic. Plastic has a cheap look and feel to it whereas metal lends to both modern and traditional eating environments.
They come in many different styles and designs and can produce a real european flavour to any dining area.
In addition metal stools or chairs can be used both inside and in an outside seated area. I have been in expensive coffee houses where the exterior eating area has mirrored the inside and this allows you to enjoy the feel of the inside environment while enjoying the sun.
Cocktail stools
For those of you interested in the more up-market approach, a stainless steel or aluminium stool, with a circular ringed footrest, is a must for all cocktail bar lovers. These bar stools blend into almost any surroundings. With a young clientele, as the main customer base, this envirnoment can be fast paced and the seating arrangements can change over the space of a night.
In such situations, when bartenders often need to alter the pub arrangements in order to facilitate customer requirements, it is essential to have both a light-weight and durable stool.
The aluminium bar stool is ideal for such a task, as is lightweight stainless steel. These stools are not only remarkably light and therefore easy to maneuver, in compact environments, but they are also exceptionally durable, easy to clean and can be found at very reasonable prices.
Lounge
Lounges are traditionally used for recreational socialising with friends and establishments tend to create a relaxed atmosphere which allows easy conversation. With this in mind the seating arrangements should reflect this and it is therefore crucial to think of the comfort of the customer.
Upholstered stools and chairs are essential for creating the correct ambiance and level of comfort to meet the customer requirements. Even if the environment reflects a more traditional feel, as do some Irish bars, wooden stools with padded seats in no way detract from the feel of the surroundings.
Small stools
As well as the standard 36″ bar stool, which is the average height for an average bar counter, all bars from local taverns to up-market cocktail lounges have additional seating areas. Obviously, the standard size of bar stool would be inappropriate for such a bar table or lounge area.
Therefore proprieters should always have a stock of smaller stools for the lounge and seated area in the public bar. Usually, in most cases, only a 20″ stool would be required to meet the comfortable table height. A good rule-rule-thumb for a table stool would be to give aproximately 6″ between the seat and table surface.
Kitchen stools
Whether its a modern breakfast bar you have or a traditional pine table, kitchen stools can be ideal for your seating requirements. Traditional chairs or bar stools like those pictured below can give that warm feeling that you had whenever you where in your mama’s kitchen. Alternatively a metal, chrome or aluminium look can add sleek and sophistication to any modern kitchen.
As with the pub stools the height of the counter should be considered prior to purchasing any stools or chairs. The standard breakfast bar is usually 36″ which would suggest that you use a 30″ stool.
When considering a breakfast bar the rule-of-thumb is to have a 6-10″ gap between the counter and the seat to derive maximum comfort. However, if you have traditional seating arrangements around a table leave a 6″ gap.
In order to keep metal bar stools looking as good as the day you bought them, the bar stool or stools need to be maintained on a regular basis. The level of care you should provide is determined the type of metal used. Most of the bar stool that are manufactured from metal are aluminium, stainless steel, tempered steel, bronze, or wrought iron. Each of these bar stools is different in the way they need to be maintained to ensure the excellent quality is kept up.
Aluminium bar stools are very good to have in any area of the bar, restaurant or home because they wont rust and they are very strong and durable for how light it is. To clean these aluminium bar stools you can use simple house hold products, it is simply a matter of spray and wipe. Use a cotton cloth. If you detect a scratch, lightly buff it with a coarse cloth or very fine sandpaper, be sure to go easy though. For dings and dents, try a ball peen hammer, if the location is accessible. Otherwise, ask for the help of a professional.
Stainless steel bar stools, just like the aluminium stools, are very easy to maintain. If the bar stools have a high shine or have a chrome coat then the best thing to use is chrome cleaner to refresh the shiny surface. Otherwise, just use standard cleaning products. Stainless steel and temper steel bar stools are very strong, so you should never have any problems with dents. Although if one ever occurs, then you might need to seek professional advice in order to rectify the problem. If you need advice to fix some minor bumps and scrapes then check out the internet for advice.
You can also get polished surfaces refinished for a small fee through some furniture stores, should the stools become badly scratched over time.
Pewter, bronze, and wrought iron are alike metals in terms of their softness. They are easily cleaned with particular cleaners made for that exacting metal. Just ask when you acquire the stools and the salesperson should point out the suitable cleaning agents.
These metals do run the risk of becoming dented or badly scratched. Because they are softer, dents can become hazardous if they are profound and affect the stool legs. It can cause a leg to crumple and the entire stool to give way with a person sitting on it. For this reason, it’s a prudent move to inspect the legs on stools made from pewter, bronze, or wrought iron regularly. If you have any doubts, take the stool out of commission and have a pro look it over.
All metal stools are built to last for years with minimal care. It’s one of the main advantages of buying them. Just clean each stool occasionally and keep an eye out for scratches and dents.
The acai berry is is strange in the way that only 10% of the berry is actually edible, the main reason for this is it has a large stone which takes up most of the berry. It is a dark purple berry slightly smaller than a grape, acai is more communally mixed with ice cream, meal bars and also energy drinks. The acai berry requires rapid precessing after its late harvest.
The acai berry grows in the rain forests of the amazon in south america and is considered by some as being more than an organic fruit. These rain forests remain untouched by any sort of manufacturing, everything in this region is grown the way it was intended by nature and no mass production is add in any way.
Pronunciation of this fruit is “ah-sigh-ee”, acai, or euterpe oleracea (arecaceae) has been seen to excell in heathly attributes and greatly aids metabolism. It is highly promoted by Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a health guru and best-selling author, calling the acai a “superfood.”
It wasnt until the turn of the millenium when the acai berry was dicovered to be in north america and it hails from the palmberry tree. It usually grows in the amazon, the natives of this region cultivate the berry and have enjoying it health producing properties for many years now. Acai is usually consumed as a puree or in a smoothee or milk shake, this drink is more communally served on the Brazilian beaches and tropical resorts, although acai is an aquired taste, as it tastes mostly of wine wine with a hint of choclate.
Acai is abundant in anthocyanins, a type of antioxidant that has been proven to combat cholesterol and free radicals, consuming acai has been proven to reduce blood related disorders and relax the blood vessels. It is also a great help in preventing arthresclerosis and is a powerful combatant of cancer. Red wine is healthy for you because of the anthocyanin content from the grapes. the Acai berry has over X30 the anthocyanin than any grape.
Aside from anthocyanins, another benefit of the acai berry is an acid called aleic acid which is very good for the heart. Oleic acid also keeps a cancer-causing oncogene (this is found in many breast cancer patents) from acting up, Acai is also great for anyone who has any sort of digestive conditions.
Acai is good as a dietary supplement, it is very low in fat and colestrol and yet high in fiber. These benefits are usually found in the skin, the acai skin contains nutrients such as phytosterols, vitamin C, E, manganese, chromium, copper, and even boron as well as a few others including calcium, acai contains more calcium than even milk.
In recent studies have been conducted and acai has other benefits other than the ones that have been mentioned in this article such ailments would include a variety of virus’s and prostate problems. It also helps improve lipoprotein metabolism and reinforces your immune system. One of the less known attributes of acai is it is said to have very powerful aphrodisiac properties, because of its revitalizing qualities. To produce this aphrodisiac, you need to mix the acai pulp with guarana another fruit grown in south america, although this is the most powerful combination the acai berry can be mixed with any fruit or mixture even milk or beer.
Unfortunately now the acai berry is not found in any store in the united states this is mainly because the fruit spoils very quickly, the only way that this berry can be got is thought a frozen or pureed form. In brazil the athletes would take the berry as part of their daily diet and consider it a must for a healthy lifestyle
The acai berry is small and although you can find the nutrients that it has elsewhere the difference here is that acai crams all of them into a small space, this has been considered to be a premium way to undertake a good healthy lifestyle.
Other benefits of this amazing berry include greater energy, stamina, digestion and mental stimulation. Drink acai in juice or smoothie form also helps you sleep better at night. Acai also includes more proteins than an egg white, it also serves as a revitalizing agent supplying you with the energy of a speeding train, this is a good way to increase sex drive and performance.