Chef and owner Chris Ponte. Credit: OLIVIA/ FACEBOOK

Chef and owner Chris Ponte. Credit: OLIVIA/ FACEBOOK
Early September, owners of the forthcoming Italian restaurant Olivia, local restaurateurs Chris and Michelle Ponte (of Clearwater's Cafe Ponte and Hyde Park's On Swann) alongside their son, JT Mahoney, announced that they were hoping to open doors this weekend, October 26. Mahoney told CL that the team is now shooting for a mid-November opening date. 

The concept has been under construction for a year now with a string of construction setbacks along the way at 2601 W. Swann Ave., but hopefully, we will finally get a taste in the coming weeks. 

The menu promises a mix of northern and southern Italian cuisine, so get ready for Neapolitan pizzas and a wide range of pasta dishes. 

Olivia's dining room will feature a glass window that looks into the kitchen, allowing guests to get a behind the scenes look at the fresh pasta-making process as they move through their meal.

There's also going to be a full bar, and an on-site sommelier to coordinate your sips from the temperature-controlled wine wall. 

The restaurant posted earlier this week announcing that progress is lining up and there are a few positions left on their roster for those in the hospitality industry looking for work at the new South Tampa Italian eatery. Just make sure to put in your two weeks after an official opening date is announced. 

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