Since arriving in Florida from Rio de Janeiro in 1982, Andrea Cardinalli has worn a variety of hats including flight attendant, real-estate broker, and movie producer, in such varied locales as Georgia, North Carolina, Canada, and Mexico. As owner and operator of Barracuda Seafood and Grill, she brings her lifelong passions for her native cuisine, music, and culture to South Florida. She took over the established restaurant in 2015 and has since showcased a number of internationally recognized musicians and performers including Helo Pinheiro, the inspiration behind “The Girl from Ipanema” song. Early in 2020 Andrea moved Barracuda across the street in Deerfield Beach to a bigger location featuring a dance floor and rotisserie grills. When she’s not at the restaurant the native carioca enjoys singing, running on the beach, and spending time with her five children and six grandchildren.