Emmanuel Roux,
The Garden Restaurant

Emanuel Roux is one of downtown's visionary restaurateurs and owner of The Garden with partner Franck Bouvard. Born in Tunisia of French parents, Emmanuel began his career with an oil research company, traversing the Sahara in Algeria, Niger and Mali. Later, he worked in Geneva, Switzerland at the UN, where he also obtained his degree. An offer to become the General Manager of The Lotos Club in New York brought him to the US.

Eventually starting a specialty pasta company in Savannah, GA, Emmanuel relocated his business to Tampa. When he discovered that the historic Garden Restaurant was available for sale in 1993, he seized the opportunity. Emmanuel immediately saw the charm and the potential of the restaurant courtyard under the shady banyan tree. He's not only the owner of The Garden but also the chef.

His hobbies include making custom lamps and sculpture, online sales of his flourless chocolate cakes, and organizing cultural tours of France. Emmanuel is a supporter of arts organizations in St Petersburg. He is married to Dr Jennifer Hardin, Chief Curator at the Museum of Fine Arts.

Be sure to visit Emmanuel & Franck to discover the charm of The Garden Restaurant.