Local restaurateurs Chris and Michelle Ponte have started transforming a former South Tampa happy hour spot into their latest restaurant. Lovingly dubbed Olivia, the newcomer is coming along where Carmel Kitchen closed earlier this year at 3601 W. Swann Ave. “It’s named after our daughter,” Michelle said with a smirk, looking over to check the expression on the face of their oldest son, JT Mahoney.

Olivia is the third restaurant for the Pontes, who are also behind American fusion favorite Cafe Ponte, which opened in a Clearwater strip mall in 2002, and On Swann, a contemporary American joint that debuted in 2016 at Tampa’s Hyde Park Village. Mahoney has joined the team to oversee the financial and business analytics side of Olivia, keeping this culinary venture all in the family.