Florida Agenda

Courtyard Café

2211 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-563-2499

wiltonmanorscourtyardcafe.com

Cliff Dunn

Let’s face it: the Gayborhood—a Mecca for nightlife, outdoor activities, guest houses, and living La Vida LGBT—can sometimes feel like a twosquare- mile Sushi Emporium. I realize that this is a “high-class” problem, but when swimming in a sea of seafood doesn’t quite feed the need, it’s comforting to know that a familiar friend stands ready—at all hours, no less—to provide the right guilty pleasure at the right time.

Courtyard Café is the flagship restaurant of Shawn Bombard and Nick Berry’s Comfort Food Empire. Open for five years, the café offers a wide selection of traditional American cuisine and bistro fare, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner cooking fresh at all hours, including all 24 of them on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. In an extremely competitive “gay ghetto”-market, the business duo of Bombard and Berry (known to friends and likewise “branded” as “Shawn & Nick”) have to offer potential new customers an enticement to come through the doors and regular patrons a reason to come back.There winning formula proves to be a menu that is both familiar and fluid, coupled with late hours, friendly service, and the comforts of home cooking. A tour of the week’s dinner specials at Courtyard Café include their Monday Night Burger Madness, with 14 “guest” burgers joining their regular dozen classic-takes on the American, and Gayborhood, fave. That’s 26 mouth-watering burger varieties ($7.50-$8.26)- and a free soda or iced tea with the purchase of one between 4 and 11 p.m.

On Tuesdays, your hosts invite youplus- one to a $20 dinner-for-two including your choice of appetizers, and entrees including delicate Lemon Pepper Haddock, succulent Yankee Pot Roast, a robust Chicken Carbonara served on a bed of tender pasta, and flavorful Jack Daniel’s shrimp, from 5 to 11 p.m.

Wednesdays are also kind to the budgetconscious, with 2-for-1 dinners, and Courtyard’s weekend dinner specials start at $10.95 and include your choice of soup or salad–Thursdays through Sundays from 4 till 10 p.m. The restaurant’s success in a neighborhood packed full of eateries is partly due to a mission to ensure every guest is happy when he or she leaves. There’s a reason you can see the same familiar faces on a daily basis, enjoying breakfast, lunch, as well as dinner. Co-owner Bombard showed me how it can actually be cheaper to eat at Courtyard Café every day than it is to shop, cook the food, and then do the dishes (not to mention all that wear-and-tear on a boyfriend’s dishpan hands). At a time when you seeing a lot of “sidewalk dining” popping up along Wilton Drive, Courtyard has the “original” outdoor breakfast dining spot, with their famous outdoor patio, a perfect spot to enjoy a beer, a glass of wine, or one of their six varieties of mimosas.

The owners have two satellite locations, including Courtyard Café 2 at The Depot Cabana Bar & Grille at 2935 N Federal Hgwy., where you will find many of the same food favorites from the Mother Ship Location, including homemade meatloaf and brown gravy. Unique to the Courtyard Café 2 menu: A basket of Mac-N-Cheese Nuggets–seriously! An additional satellite location can be found inside the popular Gelato Station at 2031 Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors, offering 36 flavors of ice cream, sorbet, sugar-free, and homemade gelato.

As Berry and Bombard like to say, there is always something going on at the Courtyard Café, and we will be going back soon.

The city sidewalk was a busy sidewalk in front of 2211 Wilton Drive on December 20. At 11 a.m. that morning, Wilton Manors police, doing their best take on “Miracle on 34th Street,” had barricaded the right lane of southbound traffic to accommodate the large panel truck which had been ordered to take possession of fifty brand-new bicycles. Their destination: Kids in Distress.

That Tuesday morning was the culmination of a month-long campaign to solicit bicycle, toy, and other donations to benefit the Fort Lauderdale counseling and health center with a mission to prevent child abuse, preserve families, and treat children who have been abused and neglected.

Nick Berry and Shawn Bombard, the owners of Shawn and Nick’s Courtyard Café in Wilton Manors, had put out the call to friends, associates, and those imbued with the holiday spirit to donate what they could, but especially in the form of new bikes.

Berry and his life partner, Joe Bush, had already collected close to thirty bicycles by December 17, the night of their annual by-invitation-only Christmas Benefit. They had also collected a large amount of unwrapped toys for kids through teens to deliver to the child welfare service organization located on N.E. 26 Street in Wilton Manors.

Courtyard Café and its owners have a long history of working with area service organizations and charitable groups, both within and outside the LGBT community, an abbreviated list of which includes Hospice of Gold Coast, Poverello, Broward House, the Pride Center at Equality Park, Women in Network, the Ryan White Foundation, and Kids in Distress.

Bombard, Berry, and Bush were rewarded for their individual and collective efforts with a major pay-out: dozens of toys, several hundred dollars in cash and checks, and the final two-wheel tally: fifty bicycles donated by noon on December 19.

The gifts were taken by truck at around noon on December 20 from Courtyard Café to Kids in Distress several blocks away, where they will be distributed on Christmas Day, along with, one imagines, presents delivered the previous night via reindeer.

Of collecting nearly a dozen more bicycles than he had anticipated, Courtyard’s Berry remembers the happy truce he and boyfriend Bush had made with the two-wheelers, all in the name of bringing the Christmas spirit to some neglected kids.

“They were taking over the entire house,” Berry laughs. “I had bikes in the garage, bikes in the main hallway.

At one point we might have had a couple in the guest bathroom. But it was worth it.”

 

Best Gourmet Market: Epicure

Since 1945, Miami Beach’s Epicure Gourmet Market has remained the best marketplace to find freshly prepared meals and gourmet foods. With three locations in Miami-Dade County, Epicure is famous for their homemade soups, bakery, deli counter and prepared foods created in their own commissary. Their prime meat, award-winning cheese department, high-end wine cellar and produce stand offer a full array of products to tease and please any palate.

Best Coffee Shop: Java Boys (Wilton Manors) and Tre Amici Wine & Espresso Bar (Ybor City)

Coffee shops have become more than just a place to grab a cup of coffee – they’ve become social centers where people can relax, read a paper, watch a little television and talk with friends. Nicky and Steve Rose have turned Java Boys in Wilton Manors into the place to relax and get away from it. Always attentive and with great service, Java Boys has received national recognition. Java Boys offers a wide variety of coffees and other beverages such as smoothies. There is also a small bakery and sandwich selection.

Tre Amici Wine & Espresso Bar at the Bunker in Ybor City is not a cookie-cutter café chain – they focus on what the community needs and not what some corporate structure wants them to do.

Tre Amici offers the best coffee and wine bar Ybor City has ever seen. They proudly serve organic/fair trade coffee and espresso, delicious teas, Italian sodas, imported beer and wine, pastries and a fresh mix of Italian and Cuban light fare including their original Ybor Sandwich.

Best place for Dinner: Le Patio (Wilton Manors) and Cityfish Restaurant (Orlando)

Tucked away in a little, unpretentious corner off Wilton Drive on NE 11 Avenue is Le Patio Restaurant and Wine Bar. Though the restaurant is small in stature, it’s big on quality. It’s Las Olas quality without the Las Olas prices.

Le Patio offers a great variety of French cuisine, and the French Onion Soup is very addictive. A high percentage of their business is from repeat customers who return time and time again to enjoy one of the finest eateries in the area.

Cityfish is a neighborhood seafood restaurant in Orlando that features daily fresh seafood and seasonal items. They offer a large menu of traditional and non-traditional seafood fare including seafood sandwiches. They have beer, wine and offer a full liquor bar. You have to check out their Panko and Potato Chip Crusted Broiled Sea Scallops. Cityfish represents an urban interpretation of the classic coastal fish shack and features a relaxed atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating.

Best Place for Sunday Brunch: Rosie’s (Wilton Manors) and Palace (Miami Beach)

Rosie’s Bar and Grill is an institution on Wilton Drive that features outdoor or indoor dining (with an outdoor flare). Most people seem to prefer eating outside as Rosie’s is a great place to people watch. Rosie’s offers a campy atmosphere, lots of great burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, wraps and snacks and a full liquor bar. The staff is always upbeat, and they always seem to be having a good time. Rosie’s Sunday brunch is a good reason to wake up and go out on a Sunday morning.

You know those places that look or make you feel like you’re in part of the backdrop for a movie? Well, at The Palace on South Beach you’re right in the middle of one of the most fun parts of Miami Beach’s famed Ocean Drive, and you’re also right on the corner by the 12th Street Gay Beach, which offers plenty of sights with all the girls and guys walking by. The Palace features a lot of healthy wraps and fun finger foods. If you’re in the mood for breakfast, they feature an all day/every day breakfast.

Best Place for Lunch: Painted Pickle (Wilton Manors) and Pasha’s (Lincoln Road Miami Beach)

Ever since it opened, the Painted Pickle on Wilton Drive has become the lunch time people pleasing place in town. Their goal is to stuff people with huge sandwiches: pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, honey smoked ham, smoked turkey, tuna, chicken and egg salad and more all on your choice of breads. Stop in for morning coffee, tea or espresso, and enjoy a hot bagel with a variety of spread choices, a plain or filled croissant or a fresh baked muffin.

Pasha’s offers healthy Mediterranean cuisine on Lincoln Road in South Beach (plus five additional locations in Miami-Dade County). Their Lincoln Road location is a beautiful two-story venue with both indoor and outdoor seating. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and have a terrific champagne brunch on weekends. Pasha’s foods are all natural with no preservatives, additives, trans-fats or MSG.

Best World-Famous Eats: Joe’s Stone Crab

In 1913, Joe Weiss opened up a small lunch counter on Miami Beach. At that time, Miami Beach was just a quiet, backwater town where people would stop by for a fish sandwich and fries. It wasn’t even known that stone crabs were edible, but Joe’s Restaurant decided to give it a try due to the urging of a Harvard ichthyologist in 1921. Weiss figured out how to cook them, serve them and what to serve them with.

Joe’s Stone Crab was born, continuing to this day and has never looked back. Joe’s Stone Crab was mentioned so many times on the ’80s television show “The Golden Girls” that the landmark deserved (but never got) a formal co-starring role. Oh, and don’t forget their Key Lime Pie.

Best Local Diner: Andrews Diner (Fort Lauderdale) and Christo’s Café (Orlando)

Alice might not live here anymore, but her spirit is carried on at Andrews Diner. It’s nothing fancy — but they don’t pretend to be. Andrews serves a great meal, large portions and great service at a more-than reasonable price. Andrews is particularly well-known for its breakfast menu, and you’d be surprised at some of the people you will see eating there before heading into their offices downtown.

After a night of debauchery, there’s nothing like an early morning stop at Christo’s. Their coffee is amazing, their food is hearty, and make sure you check out their omelets or biscuits and gravy. They also have great sandwiches, and you can eat outside on their patio. There’s something utterly lovable about Christo’s Diner. It’s cozy, inexpensive, and they serve up delicious comfort food.

Best Late-Night Dining: Courtyard Café (Wilton Manors) and Pizza Rustica (Miami and Fort Lauderdale Beach)

Some people think that the Courtyard Café never closes, which unfortunately, is not true. They are closed for about four hours on Monday mornings. (Don’t these people ever sleep?) Courtyard serves great food, indoors and out, with friendly, fast service. Their prices are more than reasonable, and the menu is longer than Cher’s farewell tour. You’re sure to find something you like.

With locations conveniently located near Score, Twist and Cameo in the Miami area and even more in Broward County, there’s no excuse for going to bed hungry after a long night on the town. Open every day until 4 a.m., Pizza Rustica offers terrific pizzas and Italian specialties, all served quick, hot and ready to please. If you’re looking for that perfect Italian dish, Pizza Rustica will leave you begging for more.

Best Breakfast: Simply Delish

As long as anyone can remember, there’s been Simply Delish on Wilton Drive. Everyone loves the two dining rooms with their eclectic collection of art and antiques, and everyone raves about the food, especially breakfast. Their near-endless breakfast selection is one of the best you will find anywhere, all served fresh and quick by their friendly staff.

Best Place to Watch a Drag Show While Dining: Lips (Fort Lauderdale) and Hamburger Mary’s (Ybor City)

Lips brings the best in drag dining from New York to Fort Lauderdale. The hottest divas can be found in this restaurant/lounge located near Wilton Manors on Oakland Park Boulevard. Lips is undoubtedly the world’s most-famous drag palace with fabulous food and delicious divas all under one roof. Make sure not to miss their Sunday Gospel Brunch; no kneeling required.

Eat, drink and be Mary at Hamburger Mary’s in Ybor City. Hamburger Mary’s offers nightly shows including their famous (or perhaps, infamous) Diva shows on Friday and Saturday nights which offer twice the fun. Hamburger Mary’s is always a great place to see and be seen in the greater Tampa area.

Best Dessert (Tie): Humpy’s Cupcakes and Sweeter Days

Humpy’s has become as famous for their great homemade cupcakes as they have their terrific pizza. You may also see them being delivered to some of the other local restaurants. Always tasty, always sweet and almost the size of large muffins instead of cupcakes, give one a try today.

Speaking of cupcakes, our readers also love the cupcakes at Sweeter Days Bake Shop on N. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. In addition to cupcakes, Sweeter Days also makes their own cakes, cookies, brownies and other items to tempt your sweet tooth. They can also create custom indulgences for special occasions. They have a gift shop for some last-minute shopping to go along with their cakes, as well as bake ware and decorating supplies so you can make your own.

Best Romantic Restaurant: La Lupa Di Roma (Miami) and Hi-Life Café (Fort Lauderdale)

Since 1997, La Lupa di Roma has been a favorite of local Italians for its authentic, home-style meals, premiere wines, warm hospitality and casual, al fresco dining. La Lupa Di Roma is owned by the Nisti family, which includes Giorgio, Giorgia, Flavio and Rosanna. With more than 600 varieties, the restaurant is widely recognized for having the largest selection of Italian wines in South Florida. The family started with a restaurant near Piazza Navona in Rome, and after a customer commented that it was easy to do Italian food right in Italy, Giorgio decided to show him that he could also do Italian food right in Miami Beach. It’s the next best thing to dining in Rome.

Hi-Life Cafe has been named one of Florida’s top 40 restaurants by Zagat. The menu includes a wide variety of seafood, chicken, duck, beef and pork. With their award-winning contemporary American cuisine, Chef Carlos Fernandez and host Aude Weis receive you in an ambiance that feels as if you are a guest at a private party in their own dining room. The menu also includes pasta and salads. No hamburgers here. Their extensive wine list and dessert menu are to die for. Try the Southern Derby Pecan Pie and you’ll see what we mean. Each candle-lit dining table is adorned with a fresh rose in the romantic, softly lit dining room. Hi-Life Café is a unique, intimate restaurant featuring fine food in a great atmosphere.

Best Celebrity Chef: Paula Deen

Paula Deen has been a staple on Food Network since 1999 when she started to appear in episodes of other chef’s programs. She was given her own show in 2002 called “Paula’s Home Cooking.” Since that time, Deen’s been given additional shows on Food Network including “Paula’s Party” and “Paula’s Best Dishes.” Her down home southern country charm and recipes (some of which are so tasty and hearty looking you can hear your arteries clogging) has made her a favorite on the network talk show circuit. She has also written a total of four cookbooks. She was featured in “Extraordinary Comebacks: 201 Inspiring Stories of Courage, Triumph and Success” and launched a lifestyle magazine called Cooking with Paula Deen.

The National Voices for Equality Education and Enlightenment (NVEEE) held their car wash and dine and donate fundraiser at Courtyard Café in Wilton Manors. Founded in October of 2009, NVEEE was conceived as a response to the increasing levels of bullying, violence, and suicide among middle and high school students.

The group raised more than $1,000. Part of the proceeds went to Mother’s Day baskets for the mother of Josie Lou Ratley-the Deerfield Beach Middle School student who was violently attacked.

Other money is being saved do NVEEE can open an office and put together a national walk-a-thon. –DR