Florida Agenda

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

Tijuana Flats on East Sunrise Boulevard is a one-room joint of the place-yourorder and-wait-for-the-magic-tohappen type. Around 7 p.m. on any night, the place is a chatty, crazy kind of fun where it’s likely you’ll end up becoming best friends with the folks at the next table. Everyone, from the wait staff who cashier your order, to the kitchen staff who prepare it, to the manager who may just end up serving it, likes to talk. It’s this slap-ya-on-the-back sort of camaraderie that is as intriguing as the food.

We’ve eaten at Tijuana Flats maybe ten times over the past two years, so we know this menu well. It breaks down rather easily, as most things Mexican do, into burritos, chimichangas, tacos, nachos, flautas, tosdadas, enchiladas, and quesadillas. At TF’s, you not only get to choose your meal, you get to choose the size of your meal—as in the quantity of food on your plate.

Burritos, for instance, come in three sizes—the Regular—about the size of Rhode Island; the Tijuana—about the size of Pennsylvania; and the Megajuana—think Texas. Our favorite is the Blackened Chicken Burrito Tijuana Size at $6.19. For that price you get a whole-wheat tortilla, filled with the aforementioned chicken (done delightfully moist), tomatoes, lettuce, onions, jalapenos, and sour cream—with your selection of 15 different hot sauces from the “pump your own” serving bar.

Hot sauces are a specialty here, with Tijuana Flats serving their own “Smack My Ass & Call Me Sally” brand in varying intensities from mild to five-alarm fire. And regardless of where on the menu you may wander, you’ll eventually end up back on the sauce, so to speak.

Tuesday nights is Taco Tuesdaze where for $4.99 you can get two large crispy tacos, with lettuce, chopped tomatoes, onions, jalepenos, plus chips and a drink—and yes, hot sauce. A deal that packs the place.

On Thursday night, think Throwback Thursdaze during which $5.99 gets you a regular burrito, chips and a drink. Same fillers, same sauces. The bargain remains in your pocketbook.

Lighten your potbelly with the Norrito Bowl, a burrito without the tortilla, served in a bowl and topped with a light salsa-based rice, black beans, pico de gallo sauce, fresh guacamole and green onions. All for only $6.19.

If calories are no object, then rush right over and order a Chimichanga, which is stuffed full of cheese, chicken or beef, all the toppings and lightly fried. The Megajuana Carnitas Chimichangas go for $8.59.

The chain was started just up the road in Winter Park, Florida back in 1995 by Brian Wheeler, and Brian is still at the wheel along with his pop Chester,who’s CFO, and industry insider Camp Fitch (ya gotta love the name), who’s co-partner and chairman.

The restaurant now numbers some seventyplus eateries, spread over several states, with Florida getting the lion’s share.

From the murals on the wall, to the funky drawings on the menus, nothing is taken too seriously at Tijauna Flats—except the food, which is consistently great, fast, and plentiful. The company gives back to the community through its Just in Queso Foundation that to date has donated $670,000 to those in need.

Check out the action any night of the week. The restaurant is snuggled next to the Trek Bicycle Shop, so expect to see plenty of spandex in the vicinity. And, as always, tell them Agenda sent you.

TIJUANA FLATS
1619 E Sunrise Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
954-463-3480

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At a glance:hot sauce · entrees · lettuce · burritos Address: 1619 East Sunrise Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 Phone: (954) 463-3480 Hours: Mon-Thu 11am–10pm Fri-Sat 11am–11pm Sun 11am–9pm Transit: Sunrise B/NE 16 A Menu: urbanspoon.com More reviews: urbanspoon.com, citysearch.com, yahoo.com, botw.org

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By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

STORK’S BAKERY, COFFEE HOUSE & CAFÉ
2505 NE 15th Ave.
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-567-3220

We admit it. We’re a sucker for a Pilgrim Wrap. Although we were first introduced to the sandwich years ago while living in Provincetown, Massachusetts, land of the Mayflower, we recently reacquainted ourselves with the joy of this taste treat at Stork’s Bakery, Coffee House & Café in Wilton Manors. The local variety serves up a delicious sliced oven-roast turkey combo with cornbread stuffing, cranberry vinaigrette, chutney, beefsteak tomato, lettuce and mayo in a spinach wrap. At $8.49, it’s the signature sandwich of Stork’s, a local institution for the past 15 years. Over that time, there’s been a few changes to the menu, but the Pilgrim Wrap has always made the cut.

In case you’re new to the neighborhood, or haven’t stopped by recently for a fast, wholesome meal, Stork’s blends a menu of salads, sandwiches, soups, and quiches with their famous housemade desserts. This day, we tasted our way through a fresh-from-the-stove Creamy Veggie Soup ($8.95), a smack-yourlips Caprese Salad with field greens, tomato, mozzarella, basil, chives, and cracked black pepper ($7.99), a Baked Eggplant Lasagna ($10 per pound) that had just the right amount of heft to counter the light tomato sauce, and a large slice of Storkberry Pie, which, if you haven’t tried it, is heaven between a crust. The Storkberry, which should have its own patent, is a unique blend of strawberries, cherries, blackberries, raspberries, and blueberries, with a flaky lattice-work oatmeal crust, at $4.00 per slice. At breakfast, the spotlight is on Stork’s 13 different whole bean blends of coffee, with Snickerdoodle Decaf our vote for the moment, though they’ve got an equally large variety of fresh brewed teas. Where else could you find a tea called Get Gorgeous, which, when consumed, promises to produce the clearest skin this side of Snow White? At breakfasttime, it’s an aroma orgy inside the shop, as coffees fence with baked goods for bragging rights to um-um good.

Yet as great as the café and coffee are, Stork’s shines when the bakery is placed front and center.

There is nowhere else in town with as consistently a great German Chocolate Cake: Moist chocolate with coconut sweetness, tempered with a sprinkle of pecan at $4.15 a slice. Another favorite, which is often out of stock, is the White Chocolate Pistachio Cheesecake ($4.15). It should be illegal, and maybe it is, since it seems to vanish from the display case as soon as it arrives. It’s a white chocolate pistachio ganache that’s made sinful with the addition of pictachio pieces that circle the rim of the outside of the cheesecake. The first bite will tell you you’re in big trouble.

Those who know such things swear by the Kahlua Marble Cheesecake ($4.15), with its coffee swirl atop a dark chocolate crumb crust. While it’s too adult for us to even try, the baker insists it’s a winner.

So, too, is Stork’s within the community.

It is not unusual to see the company logo on charity fundraisers for not-for-profit organizations, particularly within the LGBT arena. They continue to be a major presence during the annual SmartRide (this year, it’s November 16-17), as well as the monthly Tea Cruise benefiting the Brian Neal Fitness and Health Foundation. Thank them for that when you next drop by, and, of course, tell them Agenda sent you.

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

Masked in the guise of a neighborhood pizza parlor, Fort Lauderdale Pizza & Pasta is a family-run trattoria that divines some angelic dishes beyond the expected fare of 12”, 14” and 16” thin crust pizzas ($11- $18.00), plus Stromboli ($7.50), Calzone ($6.50) and Sausage Roll ($6.00).

Located in a typical strip mall just west of Federal Highway and East Oakland Park Boulevard, the specialty meals served at this homey eatery are like stepping back in time to Mama’s Italian kitchen.

There’s nothing particularly fancy about the wholesome cooking except the taste, and that is where Fort Lauderdale Pizza & Pasta excels. We were amazed at the texture of the Filet of Tilapia Françese, lightly egg-battered fish swimming in a sea of wine butter reduction ($13.95), served with a side order of spaghetti, a green salad, and housemade garlic rolls. The Françese is repeated with veal or shrimp ($14.95), both surprisingly light, yet abundant with the garlicked flavor of a seasoned chef. The Chicken Cacciatore ($13.95) is falloff- the-bone tender, and is served with onions, white mushrooms, and green peppers in a marinara sauce. There is just enough sauce remaining to wipe up your plate with the garlic rolls that keep being baked fresh in the pizza ovens all night long.

We were less thrilled by the Sausage and Peppers (11.95) delivered over thick spaghetti. While the flavor was pleasant enough, there was a decidedly left-over quality about the peppers, as if yesterday’s batch was stretched on to today’s menu. For those willing to walk on the opposite side of the street, take a taste of the Penne a la Vodka with Grilled Chicken ($14.95). While we tried to force the recipe from the chef, the closest we could get to uncovering the secret of this fashionably subtle dish was a mix of marinara and crème sauce that was a little Alfredo and a lot Southern Italy. While we didn’t taste Vodka, what we did taste was pure pleasure.

Fort Lauderdale Pizza & Pasta also offers an assortment of Italian Subs and Wraps that are aimed at the hardy and hungry among. We’ve never gotten a bad choice from this group, and we’ve tried the Veal Parmigiana ($7.00), the Solid White Tuna with Melted Provolone ($6.50), the Steak and Onions with Mozzarella ($7.00), and the Meatball and Pepper Sub ($6.50), which is the bargain on the entire menu.

There’s a lunch menu served between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. at Fort Lauderdale Pizza & Pasta that’s heavy on an assortment of fine pasta dishes. The sauces—meat, marinara, tomato, mushroom and garlic & oil, are all housemade—and do not disappoint. Mix and match them across pasta selections of Rigatoni, Cappellini, Penne, Lingine and Spaghetti. The prices are a low $7.00-$7.50, and the serving size will give you enough for a doggie bag for the cagna Italiana.

Should you find a spare inch for dessert, we recommend the Cannoli ($3.50) for its crisp pastry shells filled with delicious sweetened ricotta cheese and sprinkled with powdered sugar; or the tiramisu—pure decadence priced at $4.00. And don’t forget to tell them Agenda sent you, even if you have to speak with your mouth full. We completely understand.

Fort Lauderdale Pizza & Pasta

2100 East Oakland Park Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306 (954) 566-5226

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

What a mess! We just walked out of MUGS Sports Grill, and we’re still licking our fingers from the incredible BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich served with onion straws (that should be sold as a separate menu item). Like all great pork barbecue, this one was dripping with taste and was an eight-napkin slop fest of flavor. ($9.95) MUGS is known around the burg as the “Sports Bar with a Chef.” And for a very good reason. This is no simple burger joint with the usual assortment of screaming sports fans and mounds of peanuts in galvanized buckets on a bar sticky with yesterday’s margarita mix. The moment you walk into Mugs, located in a strip mall just east of Target, on East Oakland Park Boulevard, you know you’re in a special place.

First, it’s impeccably clean. The light wood floors are as scrubbed as the tables and chairs that are positioned across a large open room surrounded by 15 flat screen TVs the size of St. Louis and peppered about the place like so many poppy seeds on a muffin.

As you enter on the left, there is a crowded bar where everyone, even strangers, seem to know one another. The bartenders are friendly and keep up with the flow of orders as if working the assembly line at a Ford plant—all the while keeping up conversation on a dozen different subjects.

The menu is a varied one, thanks to the previously mentioned Chef. There are the usual burgers, of which our favorite is definitely Boosh Burger, a juicy patty of beef layered with bacon, sautéed onions, mushrooms and provolone cheese. ($12.95). The buns are locally baked and perfectly toasted and comes with fries. You can, of course, customize the plate with onion rings, tator tots, sautéed onions, mushrooms, applewood smoked bacon and avocado for an additional $1.

The sports-fans appetizers included the usual Wings that come as Buffalo, Asian Trifecta, or Barbeque. On Monday night, they go on special for 40¢ each in groups of six. The Coconut Shrimp are perfectly crisp and moist with a heaping portion serving two priced at $11.95.

The sandwich menu is an assortment of unique specialties that include Crabcake BLT (a thick cake made from jumbo lump crab, bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a superb housemade romoulde for $12.95).

The crabcakes are also available as an entrée served over a bed of sautéed garlic spinach and a loaded baked potato ($16.95).

Mugs also serves a surprising tender and flavorful Chicken Marsala with chicken breast, sautéed with mushrooms in a perfectly succulent Marsala sauce (for once not too salty), served with penne and broccoli. Clean your plate excellent ($14.95).

At lunch, this convenient grill offers $6.50 combination specials that can’t be beat for price or flavor. Choose from Buffalo Chicken Wrap, Blackened Chicken Sandwich, a Cheese Burger, the Pulled Pork Sandwich (a second yum), Chicken Quesadilla, or Caesar Salad with fries.

MUGS SPORTS GRILL 2671 E Oakland Park Blvd Fort Lauderdale FL 33306 954-566-7782

Weekly offerings include the aforementioned Monday night wings; Tuesday night $3.00 tacos in 10 flavors—our favorite was seared tuna but rumor has it that it’s been taken off the menu; and, of course, Happy Hour 4-8 p.m., take your pick of the day.

Marc Brandt is the man in charge and runs a top-flight staff and establishment that had managed to remain a hidden secret despite years in the business. It’s time for the LGBT community to swing out of your comfort zone and give this place a try. And, as always, remember to tell them, Florida Agenda sent you.

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

Happiness. It’s the first thing we felt when walking through the front door of Lemongrass, the Asian fusion bistro on North Federal Highway. The host was smiling, the servers were laughing, and the sushi chef was animated in this oasis from stress. That this is a chain of restaurants (there are others in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach), makes this magical feat that much more impressive. The happiness we felt re-established itself as harmony, when we actually settled into our seats at a table under a crystal chandelier. There is a certain peace about this place, an elegant simplicity that translates smoothly into the food served here.

There is a section of the menu called “Small Plates from the Kitchen,” that actually contains several very nice portioned dishes, big enough for two. We especially enjoyed the Thai Steamed Dumpling ($7), eight healthy sized dumplings made from seasoned minced pork with a scrumptious sweet sauce and scattered sesame seeds. For something a little richer, we recommend the Lobster Shrimp Shumai ($9), Hong-Kong style, which interprets into delicious and succulent, in a paper-thin pouch.

LEMONGRASS ASIAN BISTRO 3811 N Federal Hwy Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 Bento Lunch Box 954-564-4422

One of the best bargains on the entire menu finds itself in this category as well: Miso Sea Bass ($12), a lightly grilled Chilean sea bass served with baby pickled ginger, drizzled with a miso-honey glaze. ??? m?iwèi de.

Experimenting among the offerings at the Sushi Bar, we happened upon Tuna Guacamole ($12). Admittedly we were more curious than hungry by this point. But when this dish arrived, we were soon savoring every bit of the seared Cajun tuna and Chinese guacamole served on top of fried crispy wonton, with black tobiko (cavier colored with squid ink) and jalapeno. The subtle flavors encased in Lemongrass Noodle Soup ($13) are a challenge for the palate to discern. Easily identified in this large bowl of spicy broth were shrimps, scallops, mussels, squid, scallions, tomatoes and mushrooms. The rest is a secret recipe only the chef knows and will not share. One taste of this delicious soup and you’ll know why. It takes a great Asian restaurant to deliver perfectedly prepared fish from the kitchen. In this case, we cannot speak well enough of Holy Snapper ($25), an entire boneless snapper fish, fried and topped with a sweet garlic chili sauce. Accompanied by a house salad and brown rice, this dish easily serves two, with enough remaining to take home to the cat.

Authentic Thai Curry is not easy to find, and while the version served at Lemonsgrass is not strictly old school, the lingering flavor on the taste buds after completing a plate of Red Curry with Shrimp ($16) was of sweet coconut milk. While not the best bargain on the menu, it is a huge portion, so plan according to the size of your appetite. Other curry options available include Green Curry, Panang Curry and Masaman Curry—all offered at the same price point.

Between 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. daily, Lemongrass Asian Bistro offers lunch specials, most running around $7.95, including a startlingly sassy Kung Pao Chicken with mixed vegetables and peanuts served on white rice.

And if your thought is take-out, imagine if you will a Bento Lunch Box, with fried gyozo, four pieces of sushi or sashimi, chicken teriyaki and a house salad for a measly $11.95. It will make you forget the nearby fast food choices, when a call in advance will have this taste-treat available for pick-up in ten minutes. Either way, tell them Guy Magazine sent you.

FIORE OF TEDESCO’S
2460 E Commercial Blvd
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
954-493-9233

BY RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

Tony Bennett left his heart in San Francisco. We know this is absolutely the truth because we’ve heard him sing about it 1001 times. And every single time, he convinces us again that his heart is still back there, high up on hill, with SF calling his name. It was only last week that we discovered otherwise. Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto, may have left his heart in San Francisco, but its alive and well and beating on East Commercial Blvd. these days in a restaurant called Fiore of Tedesco’s.

Bennett’s music is heard nightly along with that of Dino, Frank, and Bobby, in this reinvented Italian restaurant, long a legend In Fort Lauderdale. Originally created by Albert and Julie Tedesco, the restaurant was purchased by Fiore and Rose Ann Casale a little less than a year ago. Fiore’s family has been in the restaurant business for over 50 years, so he’s been nursed and weaned on bread sticks and Parmesan. This is a good thing.

You’ll find him in the kitchen most nights making new traditions out of old favorites. New to the antipasti menu: Bruchetta Caprese ($18). It’s Italian bread, layered with mozzarella, tomatoes, roast red peppers and red onions, drizzled with basil oil and balsamic in a portion large enough feed a table for four.

We always judge a Italian restaurant by its lasagna, and at Fiore and Rose Ann’s place, their Lasagna al Forno ($12) is a pleasure dome of wide pasta noodles, with seasoned beef, ricotta and mozzarella cheeses, and a delectable housemade tomato sauce which is a joy to savor. Magnifico! The Eggplant Parmigiana ($14) is a scene-stealer. A lighted breaded and fried eggplant that is tenderly topped with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, this dish has only one problem. Everyone at your table will expect a bite, leaving not nearly enough for the more gluttonous among us.

The Pollo Sinatra ($16) is a selection worth tasting for its combination of chicken cutlet, prosciutto, spinach, roasted red peppers, topped with a marinara sauce and, yes, more mozzarella. Gorgonzola has always been our favorite Italian cheese—particularly when its prepared as Pollo Al Gorgonzola ($16), a breast topped with scallions, mushrooms, spinach and a gargonzola glaze.

Fiore of Tedesco’s likes to pride itself on being a seafood restaurant tucked within an Italian eatery.  It expresses that best on the menu with a delicious recipe for salmon called Salmone Tedesco ($22). Okay, perhaps not the most original of labels, but yum-yum is all we can say with our mouth full of a bite of salmon graced with artichoke hearts, onions, and garlic, Kalamata olives and fresh tomatoes. This one is the item that will keep you coming back for more.

Think of the Frutti de Mare ($24) as a combo plate with calamari, clams, shrimp and mussels, served over linguine with a light marechiare sauce, made from pink clam juice.

The atmosphere of Fiore of Tedesco’s is definitely Old Worlde, accent on old. There is a slightly tattered look about the place that suggests a thousand dishes served on thick white plates and stainless steel silverware whose second home is a dishwasher. But this is not a bad thing. It falls into the comfort category like your favorite BarcaLounger whose arms are fraying. It may not be the newest piece of furniture in your living room, but it’s the one everyone heads toward. If you’re lucky, you’ll find Tony, Frank, Dino, and Bobby there. Tell them The Florida Agenda sent you.

By RICHARD DAVID CHAMBERLAIN

2045 Wilton Drive
Wilton Manors, FL 33305
954-990-6282

There’s something new happening on Wilton Drive in Wilton Manors. Already, we can hear you saying “Yea, yea, yea… isn’t there always?” And, of course, you’re right. In this case, however, we’re talking great food and plenty of it at the new Mexican joint Pinché Taqueria—which in Spanish means something like “kitchen boy’s taco bar.” The name came from the original Pinché, which was on a dusty side street in Tijuana, Mexico, where workers could pick up inexpensive tacos, burritos and quesadillas.

When owner Jeff Chartier packed the kitchen supplies, the groceries, and the Mexicans in the trunk of a bus and brought them across the border and up to his first two Taqueria’s in Manhattan, his goal was to make his taco bars the most authentic in town. Sweet Stephanie Lee continues the theme running the newest outlet of the Mexican chain, adding her own touch of Florida heat in the process.

The meats are butchered on the premises, the organic groceries still shipped in from South of the Border, the mesquite grill flame roasts meats, corns and peppers to perfection in an atmosphere that can best be described as “hold on to your stool seat; there’s a new game in town.”

As you might expect from a taqueria, there’s an array of tacos on the menu, including a seasoned chicken Taco de Pollo Asada ($2.95); a battered fried or grilled mahi-mahi Taco de Pescado ($3.95), served with shredded cabbage and a delicious cilantro dressing; spitgrilled pork Taco al Pastor ($2.95), or the even more tender braised grilled pork Taco de Carnitas ($2.95); and the traditional stand-by Taco de Carne Asada ($2.95), made with grilled steak.

The most popular items on the menu, as confirmed by our oh-so-personable waiter Johnny (we compared abs; mine won), were Carnitas Michoacanas ($12.95) and Arrachera Steak ($13.95). The carnitas platter was a healthy serving of tender pork arranged art-house perfect on several tortillas with rice and beans, topped with a mystery broth that was aromatic enough to bring neighborhood cats purring, and a delicious piece of corn-on-the-cob, labeled Elote on the side. It’s grilled on the fire and seasoned with salt, crumbly cotija anejo cheese, butter and mayo (so good that it’s sold by itself at $3.50). The steak is a masterwork of thinly sliced skirt steak that’s been marinated within an inch of its life in tequila and garlic. The moist and flavorful end result is far too delicious to be thought of as pure Mexican, but you’ll clean your plate and that of your neighbors.

Our favorite ensalada on the menu is a burst of freshness called Tortilla Lime Salad ($11.95) which normally comes on soft tortillas but we special ordered the dish in a crispy tortilla bowl. Overflowing with shrimp, beans, tomatoes, fresh sliced peppers, corn, onions, the entire entrée is topped with tortilla strips, making it more an event than a mere dish.

Though you can check it out now, the Grand Opening of Pinché Taqueria is on Wednesday, March 28 at which point the restaurant is certain to have its few rough edges smoothed to a spit-shine. The margaritas are too weak and too expensive in a town where the $3.00 margarita is standard. They have no chunky pico de gallo salsa for the delicious freshly made chips, preferring to use a flavorful but thin variation. And they have no option of crispy shell tacos—only soft tortillas, which may be authentic Mexican, but, hello, this is Florida.

But these are small issues compared with the main theme—filler-up food with fun, fun servers. The manager’s name is Josh. Tell him Florida Agenda sent you!

By Warren Day

Stephen Schwartz has had an illustrious career as the composer of musicals for the stage (“Wicked,” “Pippin,” “Godspell”), and also for animated musicals produced by Walt Disney (he’s the winner of three Oscars for Best Song). The one musical that didn’t seem to work so well seems to have stuck in his craw, however. “Working” opened on Broadway in 1978, but closed after just 23 performances. After nearly 35 years, Schwartz has recently revamped the show, adding two new songs, cutting others, and updating the book. This new version is experiencing one of its first productions now through April 1 at the Caldwell Theater in Boca Raton. And as usual for this company, it’s a first-rate production.

Based on a non-fiction book by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Studs Terkel, the musical tells–through a series of vignettes—stories about the everyday experiences of a variety of working people: a fireman, a cleaning lady, a teacher, a trucker, a housewife, a money manager, a receptionist, an iron worker, a fast food clerk, a prostitute, and even a retiree, whose time is spent talking about not working. Rather than a traditional book musical with a main storyline, it’s a kind of staged cantata devoted to the poignant, unexpected, and funny experiences of the workplace, providing insights into the dreams and disappointments of people who are often otherwise invisible to us.

The workplace has seldom been the focus of a musical. Offhand, I can think of only two others among the hundreds of musicals in the Broadway canon: “The Pajama Game” and “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying.”

It’s strange that the workplace should be so ignored since we spend far more of our waking life at our labors than we do anyplace else. At least 70% of our time awake is spent either at work, or traveling to and from–much less preparing for or thinking about it. It’s estimated that the average American worker spends 100,000 hours of his lifespan in full or part-time jobs. (If that cold fact isn’t excuse for an instant mid-life crisis, what is?) So it’s refreshing when a musical finds the workplace as its rhyme and reason, particularly one that’s as well directed and well performed as this one. Clive Cholerton, the Artistic Director for the Caldwell Theater Company, has personally directed and given the production a creative and energetic flow that makes the evening pass quickly. The cast of six professional and highly talented actors play various roles, and succeed in making you both laugh and cry. Particular notice should be given to Laura Hodos, who sings a show-stopper of a song about what a waitress does to turn her job into art.

Schwartz is the creative force behind the show, but the songs are not only his alone: six others, including five-time Grammy winner and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer James Taylor, and Mary Rodgers, daughter of legendary “Great American Songbook” composer Richard Rogers, contribute to the libretto.

In the end, “Working” does what good theater has always done: help you see the life and choices of another person in a new and clearer light.

The Caldwell Theatre Company is located at 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33487.

Performances at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Call 561-241-7432 or visit caldwelltheatre.com.

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.

J-Mark’s
1245 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 390-0770

By TIM SLIVINSKI

It is nearly a rhetorical question:  Have you been to J Mark’s yet? After all, on any typical evening, it seems that you run into several of your friends and acquaintances when you walk in.

And that, of course, is a testament to the appeal of this popular dining spot. It is a place that makes every guest feel comfortable and important—from the minute they enter. There are always smiles at the hostess stand, and Rebecca, with her infectious smile and graceful charm, is sure to stop by your table for a chat at some point. The bar is always humming with conversation and peals of laughter, and very soon, one of the best dining patios in Fort Lauderdale will be crowded once again.

Liking the hubbub and friendliness of the bar, my partner and I often opt for a seat there. J Mark’s is one of those places where the appetizers can easily constitute a meal, so after ordering a drink, we peruse our options. Though sliders have become a bit ubiquitous, I am a huge fan of the A-hi Tuna Sliders. At $13.99, they are a great deal and superbly delicious. Perfectly seared tuna with a zingy Cajun crust arrives on freshly made mini-buns. Avocado, red onion, crispy wontons and a remoulade all combine with the tuna to make a wonderful explosion of flavor in the mouth. Turn up the heat by adding a bit of wasabi and soy ginger. These sliders never fail to please. My partner prefers the Prime Rib Sliders ($12.99), though claiming not to be a prime rib fan. He loves the texture and perfectly cooked temperature of the prime rib and how it is layered on the mini-bun. They arrive with basil pesto and creamy horseradish, which kicks up the heat a bit. Dip them in warm au jus, and don’t worry if it dribbles down your chin. Sliders are plated with a small batch of fries, so it is easy to make them an entrée.

When my appetite is a bit more on the hearty side, I tend to opt for J Mark’s Rib-eye ($24.99). It is an ample portion of steak, and it consistently arrives at my requested temperature. The menu serves it with Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, which are terrific and enough to feed four, but I often ask for a baked potato instead, highlighting another fact that makes J Mark’s so popular: They gladly and willingly make substitutions. There is never a quibble.

The boyfriend leans toward the pasta portion of the menu. He is particularly fond of the Veggie Lovers Pasta ($11.99). It offers an array of vegetables: broccoli, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted eggplant, peppers, and kalamata olives. Tossed in an olive oil and walnut basil pesto with penne, it has become a “go to” dish for him. Half of the overly generous serving almost always goes home for the next day’s lunch.

One of the newer offerings at J Mark’s is Saturday and Sunday brunch, featured from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. Spicy bloody Marys or mimosas at $3.00 each get your late morning started in just the right way. Brunch offerings are listed on a separate menu and tempt with some unusual preparations. On a recent slightly less humid and cooler Sunday, our gracious and exceedingly competent waiter, Ralph, kept us well liquefied in brunch cocktails and coffee. I have fallen in love with the Filet and Eggs ($12.99). Certified Angus Beef Tips are grilled to your desired temperature, and the dish arrives with beautifully poached eggs, homemade Hollandaise sauce, and breakfast potatoes, which are crispy, but not too much so. It is a hearty way to get my day going after a late Saturday. (Dining hint: I love to dip my breakfast potatoes in the Hollandaise. Yummy!)

For something completely unusual, try one of my partner’s favorites: the Cheese-burger Bennie ($13.99). Two superbly grilled patties, again done to your desired temperature, with cheddar cheese placed atop toasted English muffins. They are then finished with poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. It sounds messy, and it is, but it is oh so good! I would never have believed it if I had not tried it. Other brunch choices include an egg white omelette ($9.99), an egg croissant sandwich ($9.99), breakfast egg rolls ($9.99), and several more variations on the traditional eggs benedict ($11.99-$15.99).

A comfortable bar and dining area, many menu options and price points, attentive and well-trained servers, great cocktails – it is all a part of the winning formula that keeps customers coming back to J Mark’s. Whether you want to enjoy a drink and an appetizer or a full-on meal, you will be graciously cared for.

J Mark’s does it and does it well.

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