Carmel Café & Wine Bar held an open house and dinner to debut its South Tampa location, its first freestanding prototype.

On hand July 13 were founding partners Chris Sullivan, Terry Ryan, Nancy Schneid and Alex Sullivan, along with Architect Alberto Alfonso, members of Leadership Tampa and other invited guests.

Carmel will open its doors to the public at 5 p.m. Aug. 14.

The modern Mediterranean restaurant at 3601 Swann Ave. will serve dinner initially. It will offer lunch hours beginning Sept. 17 and weekend brunch beginning Sept. 22.

The founding partners said they intend to attract business crowds both from Westshore and downtown and the nearby residential population, as well as guests from further away.

In April they shared initial plans for the restaurant at what was then a vacant site next to an office complex about to be razed.

TWT Restaurant Design and Construction of Tampa built the 4,000-square-foot facility in the months that followed.

The restaurant features a full-service bar, communal tables, booth seating, an outdoor patio and other seating options, as well as a semi-private "wine room.”

Carmel Café also has locations in Clearwater, Carrollwood and Sarasota.

Margaret Cashill's beats include technology, hospitality, retail and restaurants.