The "Flying Fish Cafe," as it used to be known, was once one of my favorite restaurants; anywhere. Its design was wonderfully whimsical, with its bright colors and Coney Island amusement park theming. Last decade, it was stripped of this, giving it a more modern and sophisticated appearance, but also losing much of its charm. I am proposing a re-theme and renovation to restore some of the restaurant's whimsy, while also retaining a trendy, high-end feel.
Since its opening, the name "Flying Fish" has been a roller coaster nod, albeit now much more subtly. By incorporating a new thematic element, mermaids, both history and fantasy will be tied back in. Late nineteenth and early twentieth century mermaid illustrations make up the primary mood board, with additional inspiration taken from Disney properties.
The long, slender space returns to its overall lighter color value, with increased fish and oceanic references, as well as to pearls and jewels. This creates an ethereal feel, harmonizing with its architecture. A refreshed palette is comprised of true blues, ranging from dark to light, turquoise and teal, with pops of coral pink. Neutrals remain warm, with gold and touches of rich wood. The new concept of the restaurant reflects the imagined experience of a mermaid, between going from ashore to beneath the surface.
At the entry point of Flying Fish, guests come off the boardwalk, to the abstraction of a beach. Light blue and gray wall tiles represent crashing waves, alongside textured grass wallpaper, and a monochromatic illustrated seaside mural, depicting birds. The large onyx check-in podium blends together various colors found in seashells. Floors have a driftwood-like appearance, tapering off into a sparkling sandy-colored surface.
The main hall of the restaurant reflects the transition to increasingly deeper water. Beginning where guests enter, upper walls are painted lighter shades of an ombre blue-green, gently darkening towards the back. The existing ceiling and chandeliers are unchanged, except for increased brightness in the lighting towards the entry, with less as it progresses back.
Lower walls section off areas, utilizing wallpaper accents, in both textured grass and sea life designs. Divider columns feature mother of pearl, among other iridescent tiles. Center wave-like banquettes remain unchanged, with more speckled, sea glass-like solid surface tables, in addition to the existing table cloth laden ones. Accent dining chairs are also added, with a vintage shell motif on their backs. Flowing gossamer-like curtains drape the windows.
The back wall features a large mosaic design. An abstraction of mermaids swimming through the water, its tiles capture the light and glimmer from across the restaurant. Fins, flowing hair, and an additional wave pattern can be seen. Framed pictures hung in various locations also depict mermaids, instead via illustration.
The bar and show-kitchen subtly represent a ship cruising on the ocean, with their industrial components and lower ceilings. Darker wood tones are brought in via the floors and bar stools, with mermaid touches in the light features.
In the back corner of the restaurant, the darkened room is transformed into a mermaid's treasure chest. Here, the color palette shifts to predominantly feature the gold and coral, which are accenting the rest of the restaurant. The wood look of the floors is mimicked on the ceiling, with more shimmering wall tiles and mother of pearl, here in a swirling design. One wall features an illustrated mural, in the same style as the entryway, while tables, specifically in this section, utilize special "thingamabob" centerpieces.
Fish tail inspired flatware remain unchanged. Water is served in cut faceted glassware. Meals are served on existing plates, and bread on glazed stoneware, with some small plates and desserts on shell-shaped plates. Restaurant signature dishes remain, and some older classics are revitalized.
I'm a huge fan of Disney's transitions in placemaking and hope to have brought an element of it to this space!
Since its opening, the name "Flying Fish" has been a roller coaster nod, albeit now much more subtly. By incorporating a new thematic element, mermaids, both history and fantasy will be tied back in. Late nineteenth and early twentieth century mermaid illustrations make up the primary mood board, with additional inspiration taken from Disney properties.
The long, slender space returns to its overall lighter color value, with increased fish and oceanic references, as well as to pearls and jewels. This creates an ethereal feel, harmonizing with its architecture. A refreshed palette is comprised of true blues, ranging from dark to light, turquoise and teal, with pops of coral pink. Neutrals remain warm, with gold and touches of rich wood. The new concept of the restaurant reflects the imagined experience of a mermaid, between going from ashore to beneath the surface.
At the entry point of Flying Fish, guests come off the boardwalk, to the abstraction of a beach. Light blue and gray wall tiles represent crashing waves, alongside textured grass wallpaper, and a monochromatic illustrated seaside mural, depicting birds. The large onyx check-in podium blends together various colors found in seashells. Floors have a driftwood-like appearance, tapering off into a sparkling sandy-colored surface.
The main hall of the restaurant reflects the transition to increasingly deeper water. Beginning where guests enter, upper walls are painted lighter shades of an ombre blue-green, gently darkening towards the back. The existing ceiling and chandeliers are unchanged, except for increased brightness in the lighting towards the entry, with less as it progresses back.
Lower walls section off areas, utilizing wallpaper accents, in both textured grass and sea life designs. Divider columns feature mother of pearl, among other iridescent tiles. Center wave-like banquettes remain unchanged, with more speckled, sea glass-like solid surface tables, in addition to the existing table cloth laden ones. Accent dining chairs are also added, with a vintage shell motif on their backs. Flowing gossamer-like curtains drape the windows.
The back wall features a large mosaic design. An abstraction of mermaids swimming through the water, its tiles capture the light and glimmer from across the restaurant. Fins, flowing hair, and an additional wave pattern can be seen. Framed pictures hung in various locations also depict mermaids, instead via illustration.
The bar and show-kitchen subtly represent a ship cruising on the ocean, with their industrial components and lower ceilings. Darker wood tones are brought in via the floors and bar stools, with mermaid touches in the light features.
In the back corner of the restaurant, the darkened room is transformed into a mermaid's treasure chest. Here, the color palette shifts to predominantly feature the gold and coral, which are accenting the rest of the restaurant. The wood look of the floors is mimicked on the ceiling, with more shimmering wall tiles and mother of pearl, here in a swirling design. One wall features an illustrated mural, in the same style as the entryway, while tables, specifically in this section, utilize special "thingamabob" centerpieces.
Fish tail inspired flatware remain unchanged. Water is served in cut faceted glassware. Meals are served on existing plates, and bread on glazed stoneware, with some small plates and desserts on shell-shaped plates. Restaurant signature dishes remain, and some older classics are revitalized.
I'm a huge fan of Disney's transitions in placemaking and hope to have brought an element of it to this space!