Chameleon
The Grand Billiard Parlor is long on versatility and style.
BILLIARDS DIGEST - October 1993


Parsippany, and by now those of you who aren't familiar with New Jersey are probably thinking this is no true story, just clever lyrics.

But both those places really do exist, and in an extremely pretty part of New Jersey. Midwesterners think of New Jersey as a whole stateful of Newark and Secaucus, but that's their loss. There are parts of the state that are really gorgeous, and in The Grand Billiard Parlor and Café, we have a room fully worthy of its surroundings.

The Grand, in Morris Plains, is also one of the most flexible rooms in memory, with space configurations that can be literally changed at will. Owner Sam Carollo (who, with his wife Julie, also doubled as interior designer) has ingeniously figured out a way to give customers a space of just about any size they wish. His 10,000-square-foot facility comprises 20 Brunswick Gold Crown III's, five more 8-footers, and a six-legged antique in a private room. But each table along the perimeter of The Grand is separated by moveable knee walls, roughly 3 ½ feet high with a counter on top, turning each table into a cubicle of its own. Simply by moving the knee walls customers can have whatever space is needed. For added comfort and tranquility it deserves even when the room is full.

Even further isolation is available in two private rooms, one housing that single six-legged table, the other holding three. And those two rooms have a flexibility of their own; the French doors separating them can be opened wide enough to make the two rooms into one. Rendering the private room absolutely ideal for parties are a 10-foot TV screen, VCR, CD player and self-contained sound system.

Naturally, this kind of equipping makes the grand usually attractive to corporations, and the room has already catered meetings for Prudential, AT&T, the Air Force and others. Its café portion is run by a gourmet chef with his own catering business, who prepares the food in that kitchen and then brings it to The Grand. Available all the time are fine Italian pastries (what else would you expect with Carollos at the helm?) and a 50-seat bar serving different kings of cappuccino.

"When I was a kid, I used to draw pictures of the kind of house I thought I wanted to live in; and I actually have done sketches for friends who are building homes that they insisted their builder implement," says Sam Carollo, whose natural talent for design has never been enhanced by formal training. "I believe this is the most elegant room in New Jersey."

The Grand's clientele is mostly couples and families, but there are weekly tournaments, which include as first prize a video of the finals, which is taped from a camera mounted directly above one table.

Both a stairway connecting to the sports bar overhead and a full bar are in the works for The Grand; in a nice touch, Sam has hired his father Joe, who taught pool formally in Parsippany 30 years ago, as a house pro.

The Grand Billiard Parlor and Café is one handsome place. No matter what you make of it.

- George Feels






Dear Don,

Here are some pictures of the Grand Billiard Parlor with your Tournament Master Deluxe. We are very happy with it and get a lot of compliments on it.

We would not have anything but the best in our establishment and your Tournament Master Deluxe fits the bill. Thanks for the topping on the cake.

Thanks again,

Sam Carollo