Quick Bites: Beetlecat and Jeni’s team up for ice cream, chef changes at the Optimist, and more

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Beetlecat and Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams have a sweet collaboration. From today, Fri., Feb. 24 through Thurs., March 16, a Beetlecat coconut pie sundae will be available at scoop shops nationwide. Inspired by the Inman Park restaurant’s popular dessert, it’s salty caramel ice cream, toasted flaked sweet coconut, honey graham cereal crumbs, salty caramel sauce and a mound of raw honey coconut whipped cream.

There is a new chef de cuisine at Westside’s The Optimist. According to Ford Fry, executive chef Craig Richards is “working in” Pasquale Pascarella, formerly of famed New York restaurants Bar Sugo, Esca, and 3 Michelin starred Le Bernadin.

Gusto!, the fast-casual concept from Nate Hybl, will be among the tenants at the North Decatur Square (2642 North Decatur Road) development. The North Decatur location may become the third metro Gusto!, but Hybl’s team says they are working on another deal as well, What Now Atlanta reports. 

Gladys Knight’s Chicken and Waffles is having a rough year. The brand removed the singer’s name from the Downtown business and was shuttered briefly for a failed health inspection. (It failed three times in 2016.) Now the World Famous Chicken and Waffles, the restaurant was raided by tax agents yesterday, Feb. 23, and has closed again, according to the AJC. The locations in Lithonia and on Cascade Road shuttered in 2016.

Chef Matthew Ridgeway (Gypsy Kitchen, the Southern Gentleman) will share his signature steamed buns at Westside’s Little Trouble for their weekly Bunday. Ridgeway’s signature buns, along with drink specials, will be offered from 5 p.m. until late on Mon., Feb 27.