Joshua Foley, Executive Chef & Owner

My dream of owning a restaurant began with my great Aunt Fran, who made my childhood delicious with her elaborate dinners, fancy French desserts and breakfasts that included homemade cinnamon raisin bread. I began my professional path in high school, when I began working in restaurants—making my way up from dishwasher to garde manger. I eventually landed a job at the Harvest in Cambridge, where I became executive chef and had the good luck to meet my wife, Jessica, the restaurant’s general manager. Opportunities moved me to San Francisco, where I was mentored by Judy Rodgers at  Zuni Café. The menu changed daily and utilized what was locally available and in peak season, practices that I utilize to this day.

I then moved back to Boston, started a family, and took on new professional challenges: managing large kitchen staffs at the newly renovated Harvest and Grill 23, both of which received Best of Boston awards during my tenure.  Following these stints, I then became a corporate chef at Sysco Boston, consulting on food and labor costs, menu design and content, as well as marketing.

All of these roads have led to me to Avenue, where I can take the best of what I’ve learned and apply it with my heart, hands and mind. Opening this restaurant has allowed me to do what I love, supported by a great staff and surrounded by my family: my wife, Jessica, our four children Grace, Luke, Ryan, and Amelia, and our two dogs.

Dan LaCroix, Chef de Cuisine

Chef Dan’s passion for cooking is homegrown; he grew up in the kitchen watching his Memere and Mother bring their family together at the dinner table. He credits his Father for his old-fashioned work ethic — he’s a ‘first-in-and-last-out-the-door’ kind of guy.

Dan brought 15 years of kitchen experience to Avenue including Chef at Restaurant 45, just up the street, in Medway, MA. Dan is quick on his feet and difficult to intimidate; two traits which quickly endeared him to our staff and helped us in transitioning during the pandemic. His background in large scale dining has helped us in evolving our previously established events program by creating a new catering/bulk takeout option.

Dan lives in Blackstone with his girlfriend Katie and his teenage daughter, Alyssa. When not tearing it up in our kitchen, Dan spends his time working towards his dream of owning a country store, where you’ll someday find his homemade jams and bbq sauces.

Jon Thibideau, Executive Sous Chef

As a teen, Jon worked with his mother in professional kitchens. His passion for food grew. He thrived in the fast paced, high-pressure atmosphere which led to his hyper attention to detail and ability to work quickly. To this day, his steadfast reliability and meticulous ‘mise en place’ are traits which Josh, Dan and the staff respect and have come to rely upon.  

When Covid left Avenue short-staffed, Jon was brought in to help. His ability and work ethic were invaluable and a key part of the success we as a company enjoy. With his free time, Jon enjoys spending it with his daughter as well as drawing, painting, and writing. He is a movie buff and can often unwinds with a movie from his extensive collection.

Mark Wyspianski, General Manager

Mark was raised in the small town of Hopedale, MA. His first job as a server was right after high school while he was attending his freshman year at college. He later became a server at Avenue where he was first introduced to the high-end restaurant experience. Avenue expanded Mark’s knowledge of food, wine, and the operations of the kitchen and bar. Avenue is where his passion for restaurants really took root.

Mark left Avenue for a few years to be front-of-house manager at Alicante Restaurant in Mendon. Taking on the role and responsibilities of a manager was challenging, but also exciting. Mark is back with the Avenue family sharing his passion. Mark’s mission is to make every person that walks into Avenue feel like family, and have every guest leave with a smile on their face.

When not at Avenue, Mark is an avid Bruins & Patriots fan, trying to get to as many games as possible. He also loves taking his dog, Sky, for hikes whenever the weather allows.

Alix DePaolo, Bar Captain

Alix's love of sharing great food and drinks with others can be explained with two words: Sunday dinner. Most Sundays of her youth were spent at her grandparents’ house where aunts, uncles and cousins—typically numbering twenty to thirty—would gather to engage in lively conversation, listen to her Irish-American grandfather break out in random, off-key renditions of "Danny Boy" and enjoy scrumptious meals prepared by her Italian-American grandmother.

Alix learned how to make homemade gnocchi by her "Grammy’s" side and became a constant helper in the kitchen with her mother. Every day she watched cooking shows on TV and devoured magazines and books about food and wine. 

As a freshman at Boston College, Alix’s first restaurant job was as a server at Joe's American Bar & Grill. She quickly realized she had caught the "industry bug." After graduating, Alix transitioned to bartending, honing her skills at Davio's Chestnut Hill where she met her husband, Aaron, Davio's Executive Chef. 

Alix joined Avenue a month after it opened, embraced Chef Foley's mission, and subsequently become the Bar Captain. Alix loves experimenting with new flavors and introducing her guests to tastes they have never experienced before. She loves the hustle and bustle at Avenue, the conversations with regular and new guests and simply playing her part in providing a pleasurable dining experience.