THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 9, 1995 TAG: 9507060213
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 36 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
LENGTH: Medium: 93 lines
The interior of Mako Mike's flows. Now flow may not be the word one would associate with a restaurant named for a feisty shark.
But there's no getting around the flowing feeling that's present when you step into the newly opened Kill Devil Hills restaurant created by Southern Shores designer Jude LeBlanc.
Mako Mike's has finally opened after six months of hard work by many folks. The combined energies of one designer, eight artists, two owners, a builder and his crew and even the wait staff changed what was once an ordinary space, with ordinary decor, into an original work of art.
No space was left untouched, unattended or overlooked in LeBlanc's design.
The renovation of the former ``Oyster Catcher'' wasn't easy to pull off with the interplay of many egos and challenges with the structure itself.
Both owners had their personal visions for Mako Mike's. Frank Gayjar wanted to introduce Victorian elements to the aquatic eatery, and Mike Kelly had many ideas including dining levels and dark railing trim. These ideas were incorporated into the turquoise, fuchsia and blue environment.
Amazingly enough the eclectic mix works. But this is not unusual, for LeBlanc takes a holistic approach to his work. ``He has the vision. He sees the stuff from day one,'' said Mako's building contractor, Bob Mason.
Mason's job was challenging. The building crew actually had to pull out all the walls.
Initially it was suggested to call in a muralist to do the entire interior, but Kelly, longtime supporter of the arts in Dare County, was insistent about using many artists.
Showcasing the combined efforts of local artists Denise Carrico, Elizabeth Kays and LeBlanc is a massive ceiling-high mural found center stage on the top level of the restaurant. The aquatic painting features marine flora and fauna in sun-filtered waters.
The former restaurant's chairs, plain wooden seats, were salvaged and painted multicolored hues with the help of color consultant Jerry Dorman. The wait staff then hand stenciled designs on each chair. Dorman did an exquisite job painting the unusual light fixtures along the bar wall.
Actually embedded in the walls throughout the restaurant are vibrant three-dimensional paper casted fish created by Edith Deltgen who was assisted by Bruce Gibson.
Tucked in the right and left corners of the bottom floor are two alcoves that will feature hand-carved woodcut tables by printmaker Glenn Eure.
LeBlanc's artistic vision is perhaps at its finest with the creation of two ceiling structures. Over the wait station is a complex wooden multicolored roof that Leblanc said is actually a hyperbolic parabola. These undulating shapes are complemented by hand-carved fish stencils designed by Carrico. Near the amazing geometric roof is a soft and stretchy cloth sculpture that hangs above the bar area that LeBlanc created.
There are touches to Mako's that reflect the love of the old. Gayjar took Kelly and LeBlanc to an architectural artifacts junkyard in Virginia where they purchased an old brass fan system that works like a paddle boat. And the upper and lower decks are connected by antique carved banisters.
The beauty of LeBlanc's design is not just in the singular components, but in the actual connections of space.
When you visit Mako's, wander from hallway to booth and watch how the lines of the room connect visually. Arched windows flow into undulating wave-shaped booths via wrap-around sills, finally punctuated by Art Deco wood relief on the side of each seat. Feathery seaweed-like carpet soaks up the ambience, and from the quiet green and turquoise pattern you begin the journey again.
As you intoxicate yourself with the interior, you can satisfy your hunger with a menu created by chef and award-winning artist Sean McDuff. Here the word ``Killer'' works well.
Mako Mike's is easy to find, thanks to the spectacular frontispiece created by Robbie Snyder and LeBlanc. Two massive three-dimensional sharks swim on the exterior stirring up schools of rainbow colored fish. And on the right side of Mako's is a sculptural shark created from a recycled sailboard by Beaufort artist Craig Gurganus.
Once again, LeBlanc has added a rare touch to the Outer Banks. Already he's designed hundreds of Outer Banks homes, several banks and restaurants and received the AIA award, American Institute of Architects/Tidewater Chapter for his Barrier Island Resort design. LeBlanc is also responsible for creating the classic sculptural car wall that Outer Bankers enjoyed for years at ``Rear View Window,'' in Nags Head. Another of LeBlanc's car walls measuring 6,000 square feet is located on 11th Avenue in New York City.
But Mako Mike's is special. LeBlanc worked as visionary, artist, diplomat, woodworker and parttime guru to create a habitat that excites the senses, but more importantly that is the marriage of many creative folks. ``No real panic here,'' said LeBlanc of the process. ``It flowed.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Designer Jude LeBlanc left no space untouched, unattended or
overlooked in his design for Mako Mike's.
by CNB