WORK • Thursday Routine
ANDRE BIENVENU • partner & executive chef • Catch & Cut
Neighborhood you work in: Las Olas
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Good morning! It’s Thursday morning here at Catch & Cut, and the kitchen is already buzzing. We focus on providing a consistent, high-quality dining experience that keeps our regulars coming back. The team is reviewing menus, confirming weekend staffing, and checking inventory. We’ve got our eyes on another strong weekend ahead, and the energy throughout the restaurant reflects that momentum.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Before I even step into Catch & Cut, my day starts with family. After getting my wife and grandson up, I make coffee for her every morning and pack lunch for our grandson. I drop him off at school at 9a, then head to my other business, Dockside Foods, which my wife oversees. We go through inventory, handle whatever’s on the agenda, and I make deliveries around town before heading into Catch & Cut by 11a. It’s a full day, but every piece of it is something I love.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
When I get a chance to dine out, one of my favorite spots is Tropical Acres Steakhouse in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s been around since 1949, run by the same family, and has that old-school charm I really admire. They still have a piano player, and dessert carts roll through the dining room — it’s a true throwback to classic hospitality. Jack Studiale, the owner, does a phenomenal job keeping that tradition alive. I gravitate toward those timeless, family-run restaurants, especially ones that remind me of where I grew up in New England.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Family is everything to me, especially my five-year-old grandson. We do our best to create lasting memories with him, from everyday moments to special trips. Twice a year, my wife and I take him on a grandparents-only adventure. Last year, we took him on ski trips to Park City and Loon Mountain in New Hampshire.
In the summer, we love road trips. When my son and daughter were little, we’d always take one- to two-week summer road trips across the US, usually built around amusement parks. Now, we’re passing that tradition on to our grandson. He’s just starting to really enjoy theme parks, so we’ve been introducing him to those fun experiences little by little.
Any weekend getaways?
Whenever I get the opportunity, I like to sneak away to Melbourne, Florida, where my two brothers and sister live. It’s a great reset. We also loved a recent trip to Charleston. The beaches up there were fantastic, and it gave us a new destination to explore.
I’m also a big fan of weekend trips to Rhode Island, where we have more family. I love how the culinary scene there is centered around independent, family-run restaurants. Chain restaurants are few and far between — you find everything from incredible Italian spots to traditional New England seafood joints.