Relax at Courtyard
A place where you can relax with friends — that’s how owner Michael Catanese and his management staff hope guests view the new Courtyard Oyster Bar & Grill on Chalkville Mountain Road.
“I try to make sure everybody in the restaurant is happy, feels good and is comfortable. Service to me is the utmost important thing, along with the food quality, in the restaurant visit. That’s what people go out for, is to relax,” Catanese said.
Catanese’s desire to own multiple restaurants dates back to age 9, when he served sodas and snacks to help his grandfather host family and friends awaiting an elaborate meal cooked by his grandmother.
“When you went to his house you sat down and relaxed … You didn’t do anything, you were served and felt like a king,” he said. “Every time I’d go over there I’d serve. He’d say, ‘You’re going to be in the restaurant business one day.’ I joke I don’t know if it was a blessing or a curse, but it’s provided a great life for my family.”
After culinary school in Louisiana and years working with Superior Grille, Catanese bought Café Firenze on U.S. 280 in north Shelby County before opening Courtyard 280 in 2008. The Courtyard brand expanded to five locations before scaling down to only 280 and Alabaster.
Trussville, which opened in May, makes the third current location in the franchise.
The restaurant is family friendly during the day but becomes an ages 21-and-older venue after 5 p.m. with various drink specials. The main dining area features 15 flat-screen TVs and a full bar, with additional seating and TVs on the covered patio out front. Six Diamond pool tables fill two side rooms, and darts and live music throughout the week help provide entertainment.
Free pool nights are available some nights, while Courtyard presents Trussville’s only Birmingham American Poolplayers Association league, competing on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Courtyard offers a full menu as diverse as Catanese’s family culinary taste — born in Louisiana with family heritage flavored by Italian, French and German influences.
Weekday lunch specials include a meat and two for $8.95 with an option to add a third side for $1.50. Each day, there are five meat options and at least a dozen sides to choose from. In addition to the specials, 50-cent wings (multiples of six) and raw oysters are available. Wing and oyster specials are extended during live NCAA and NFL football game broadcasts. Other options include traditional American cuisine, salads, sandwiches, wraps, po’ boys and of course additional seafood choices — gumbo, etoufee, red beans and rice, shrimp and queso, several other shrimp choices, catfish, crawfish on Saturdays and Sundays and the occasional shrimp boil.
“We provide good service, good food and entertainment to people … customers who come to us religiously — old to young,” Catanese said. “It’s been a success for us so far.”
Courtyard’s three locations also aim to give back to the community through barbecue fundraisers for sports teams, auctions for local charities and more.
“I’m a firm believer you give back to the community because they’re helping you out,” Catanese said.
Courtyard Oyster Bar & Grill
WHERE: 5961 Chalkville Mountain Road
HOURS: Sunday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.; 21-older after 5 p.m.
CALL: 508-5728
FACEBOOK: Courtyard Trussville