After spending 5 minutes inside BeetleCat, I found myself expecting to run into Julie McCoy, Capt. Merrill Stubing and bartender Isaac Washington carrying one of his froufrou tiki drinks.

“Love, exciting and new / Come aboard. We’re expecting you.”

Entering Ford Fry’s new Inman Park restaurant is like being transported to an episode of ’70s sitcom “The Love Boat.” The set is replete with sails and ropes, plus nautically-themed nonserious stuff like bathroom wallpaper.

Walking down the wide white stairwell that connects the upstairs dining room to the low-ceilinged, lower-level bar area is a lot like descending into the berth of a ship. But, whereas a beetle cat is a small, single-mast sailboat, the design and atmosphere of this restaurant is throwback Pacific-Princess-luxe, down to the shag carpet hanging on the bar wall.

The anticipation of a fun-filled food adventure was high. After all, BeetleCat is located in one of the hottest dining areas in town. And it’s Fry’s fourth concept (and third in Atlanta) to open in the past six months.

Scroll down to get a look at what to expect if you go:

Mussels with kimchi cream and toast. (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Crispy Okra. (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Smoked Salmon with yogurt cheese, dill rye bread crumbles and roe. (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Seafood/oyster bar (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Lobster Roll - whole Maine lobster poached in butter, served warm on a toasted bun. (BECKYSTEIN.COM)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Kumamoto Oysters, served on the half shell with pickled red onion shaved ice. (BECKYSTEIN.COM)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

Pineapple Upside-Down Cake with hot buttered rum and star anise ice cream; Bay Breeze for Two with Absolut Elyx - bruleed fresh pineapple, cranberry juice, crushed ice, served in a copper pineapple. (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

The interior of BeetleCat. (Beckystein.com)

Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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Credit: Yvonne Zusel

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