BeetleCat, Ford Fry's Fifth New Restaurant of the Year, Opens Next Week

With less than two weeks left in 2015, tireless empire builder Ford Fry will get another restaurant opening in before the year is over. BeetleCat, Fry's long-planned "little sister to The Optimist," begins service on Monday, December 28, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Andrew Isabella, a longtime chef under the Ford Fry Restaurants umbrella, is in charge of the kitchen at the Inman Quarter eatery. Fry has said the oyster bar will always feature "a minimum of 12 varieties of oysters from all coasts and water depths," and the main menu will suggest diners to share simple plates such as wood-roasted crab, octopus, and clams. Ford Fry director of pastry Chrysta Poulos's desserts include coconut cream cake with chile-lime peanuts and roasted pineapple with hot buttered rum sauce and star anise ice cream. At the bar, beverage director Lara Creasy will serve a rotating menu of housemade punches, tiki drinks, and "updated versions of '80s oceanfront bar classics."

It's been a busy year for Fry. He opened Superica in February, Marcel in July, and Bar Margot in September. On top of those, the restaurateur opened his first venture outside Atlanta, Houston's State of Grace, in October.

BeetleCat is situated at 299 Elizabeth Street, on the corner of North Highland Avenue. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday from 3 p.m. 10 p.m. Late-night dining will be offered Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. until 2 a.m.

This post has been updated to reflect the name change of Rocket Farm Restaurants to Ford Fry Restaurants.