 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
Redwoods chef plans new Pacific restaurant
By LENNIE BENNETT © St. Petersburg Times, published October 1, 2000 ST. PETERSBURG -- Several times each week, delivery trucks pull up in front of Redwoods to unload fresh fish, shipped overnight from the West Coast, and Pacific Rim vegetables and fruits. Chef Joseph Chouinard's creative touch with those ingredients has made Redwoods, at 247 Central Ave., one of the most popular upscale dining spots in the area. Now Chouinard plans to open a new downtown restaurant called Pacific Wave in the space formerly occupied by Fettuccine, at 211 Second St. S. Emmanuel Roux, who co-owns Redwoods with Frank Bouvard, says Chouinard will continue as a consulting chef. "Joe has not been the hands-on chef for about six months. Sean Currens has been the chef. Joe wanted to do something on his own. We're happy for him," Roux said. Chouinard says the parting is "as amicable as a situation can be when you're losing a full-time person who was the visionary. I like these guys. They gave me an opportunity to make a name for myself here." Chouinard came to Redwoods, which opened in December 1998, with an impressive resume, having done stints at a number of famous restaurants, including Le Cirque and Windows on the World. He is opening Pacific Wave, he says, because "I wanted an opportunity to be out on my own. To fulfill my own vision. I'd say we plan to open on Nov. 1, but more realistically it will be around Nov. 15. It will be a lighter, more casual atmosphere and fare. And less expensive." Redwoods entrees average about $25, and Pacific Wave will average about $16. The menu will be more Asian in taste, too, Chouinard says. On Friday morning, he and his partner, Peter Tanhnavong, a chef at Arigato, were reviewing plans for the renovation that Chouinard estimates will cost about $250,000. That buys glamorous new lighting and decorating, but he says the room will not have to reconfigured, and the kitchen is fully operative as is. He said that several silent partners, local business people he declined to name, are helping to finance the restaurant. Roux and Bouvard also co-own the Garden, a more casual restaurant, and the Lobby, a downtown watering hole. Roux said he does not see anything changing at Redwoods. The restaurant has started off-site catering for private parties and at places such as the Salvador Dali Museum and Tampa Museum of Art. Chouinard says he is not concerned with the location of Pacific Wave, the site of two failed restaurants, hoping to attract a following based on his previous work. "That's what we're counting on, my reputation," he said.
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
From the Times South Pinellas desks |
