Since its opening in October 2025, Courtyard Cucina Italiano has established itself as one of Jackson County’s most recommended eating establishments, according to online reviews. Nestled in the Marketplace Plaza located at 3509 South Broad Street in Scottsboro, Courtyard offers a fine dining experience to its guests. With a wide variety of food and drink options on the menu and catering services available, Courtyard has provided plenty of choices for even the most selective connoisseur.
Anytime guests entered the establishment, they were warmly greeted by the staff. Courtyard Cucina Italiano was designed with an open kitchen at the restaurant’s entrance, and while guests waited to be seated, they watched trained chefs in their element. The smell of pizza filled the air as it was taken out of a brick oven by a cook. As guests were escorted to their seats, they passed by a table filled with 20 varieties of wines and a secondary kitchen filled with employees. Then they were seated at tables covered in white linen tablecloths, black linen napkins and adorned with fresh flowers and votive lights.
The waitstaff warmly attended to the guests and readily answered any questions they were asked. Owner Vikas Mehta said he wants everyone who visits Courtyard to be treated with hospitality and the utmost care.
“We have a mission statement,” Mehta said. “At Courtyard, we strive to be the finest Italian restaurant in our community. We take pride in working with the best to bring an exceptional experience with every visit. Our mission is to create lifelong guests by delivering servant hospitality from our heart.”
After he studied hospitality in college, Mehta worked as a chef in the restaurant and hotel industry for 32 years. He enjoyed serving people and decided he wanted to open his own restaurant with his wife, Cristi, in a family-centered community.
“I love helping people to grow, and this is a way for me to do it,” Mehta said.
For Mehta, Courtyard was a way for him to extend hospitality and minister to others through kindness. A devout Christian, he said he felt the restaurant was a way to meet God’s calling for him. He picked a courtyard theme for the restaurant because Jesus used courtyards to disciple people. He said he aims to disciple people through hospitality.
“God was calling me into hospitality. Many corporations are moving away from that. People need to feel that genuine service from the heart, and I enjoy giving that to them,” Mehta said.
Hospitality was the main topic Mehta focused on when he trained new employees.
“You have to take pride in working with the best, and we’re a team. We want everyone to be the best, so we train at a higher level, and there’s lots of training involved,” Mehta said.
Mehta said he was excited to introduce his newest staff addition, Chef Rochelle Vargas.
“Chef Rochelle has lots of fine dining experience and was very uplifting when we created our spring menu,” Mehta said.
Though the menu will soon change, Mehta said customer favorites will still be available. He said some of the customer favorites included chicken parmesan, bolognaise pasta, Courtyard pepper shrimp, filet and artichoke dip. With the spring menu, Courtyard will soon offer lobster ravioli, frutti di mare (seafood pasta), ribeye, strawberry chicken salad, charcuterie and, at the customers’ request, calamari.
Courtyard also has catering services available. With a wide variety of appetizers, pastas, sides and entrees available, event planners can find a selection for any gathering. Both buffet and family-style plated setups are available. Mehta said Courtyard was open to customers’ special dish requests not listed on the menu. Courtyard also has a party room available for special events. Those interested should call the restaurant to make arrangements.
Mehta said so far, the restaurant was going well. In mid-November, he extended Courtyard’s hours to include lunch. He said he looks forward to warmer weather and plans to expand seating outdoors to offer guests a full Courtyard experience.
This month, Courtyard launched a customer loyalty program. For every dollar spent at the restaurant, customers enrolled in the program will receive a point. Customers can receive a free appetizer or dessert for every 100 points earned.
Mehta said he was thankful for the support of the community during the restaurant’s opening and throughout its business. He said he was thankful for The Well’s Pastor Greg Devries and his team. He extended a special thanks to Tanner Harbin and Mayor Jim McCamy for their support as well.
“Cristi has been there with me through it all, and I am so grateful for her,” Mehta said.
Courtyard is open Tuesday through Saturday, serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Mehta said he wanted to stay closed on Sundays as a way to honor God and allow him and his staff to attend worship services.
For more information about Courtyard Cucina Italiano or to make reservations, visit www.ccitaliano.cc or call (256) 899-0359. Because of the restaurant’s high demand, reservations are recommended but not required for service.
Dining and Cooking