If all goes according to plan, chef/restaurateur Ford Fry (JCT. Kitchen, No. 246, The Optimist, King + Duke, St. Cecilia , The El Felix, Superica , Marcel ) will open his ninth Atlanta restaurant next month in the new Inman Quarter mixed-use development on Elizabeth Street.
Dubbed BeetleCat after the small wooden sailboats of New England, the sister restaurant to Fry's popular Westside seafood destination, The Optimist , will operate as a "shore-style, casual cocktail lounge with a coastal '70s and '80s vibe."
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Though similar in cooking style to The Optimist, BeetleCat’s casual dining room format will be very different. A large oyster bar on the top floor surrounds a wood oven, prepped to roast fish and shellfish. The downstairs is a nod to an early 1970s den – “think where kids may have stirred up trouble when their parents were out of town,” Fry joked. Each floor boasts a patio for al fresco seating and plenty of room for larger groups looking to hang out.
Executive Chef Tournee of Fry’s restaurants Andrew Isabella helms the kitchen, with support from Fry’s Vice President of Culinary Kevin Maxey. The two experienced fishermen are a natural fit to steer the menu, and Fry and his team of chefs worked to keep the seafood-focused menu a fun, light-hearted experience.
“The menu will be ever changing,” Fry said. “But always expect to see a minimum of 12 varieties of oysters from all coasts and water depths.”
In lieu of the traditional coursed menu section, look for offerings such as wood-roasted crab, octopus, clams, and more, with many dishes served a la plancha. Small plates will be big on flavor, encouraging patrons to mix and match, share, and try a sampling of menu bites.
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