The long wait is over. After months of tantalizing us with a big logo and little else besides a sign in the window promising to open soon, Sea Legs Wine Bar finally swung wide its doors last week in Huntington Beach.

Located in a strip mall at the southeast corner of Beach Blvd. and Atlanta Ave., the upscale watering hole occupies a former Bank of America branch.

It looks a lot better that it used to. A $600,000 renovation by popular designer Kenneth Ussenko created a casual yet elegant space with a wine cellar behind the bar and a quiet lounge that’s separate from the main room.

And it’s not just a wine bar. Chef Alexander Dale, whose family are the longtime owners of Newport Beach’s Villa Nova, is providing a menu of tempting appetizers to go with the wine and beer list. About 20 items are grouped under four categories: red and white (to help with those who aren’t sure about pairing wine with food) as well as sweets and greens.

Something that caught my eye: “Stinky Fries” covered with truffled cheese, melted aged cheddar and chives. Extra stink, please!

Sea Legs is the brainchild of three women with a shared vision: Alicia Seibert-Whitney, Jennifer Dubourdieu and Lisa Nonemaker.

“I had a baby and started thinking what I’d like to do next,” said Seibert-Whitney, 32, a Lake Tahoe native who moved to O.C. at 19 and lives just around the corner from Sea Legs with her husband and young daughter. (That’s her, right, in her customary position at the greeter’s spot.)

Seibert-Whitney knew she wanted a change from her old job, which was no longer tenable after she became a mom.

“I worked in entertainment events, mostly for the casinos in Las Vegas. I would travel there from Huntington Beach once a week.

“After I had the baby I said, ‘Now what?’ I started journaling. That turned into a business plan for Sea Legs and before I knew it we were signing a lease agreement and starting construction.”

Their concept was simple, Seibert-Whitney said.

“Basically the idea was to create something that people in Huntington Beach would call their own – a comfortable hangout. I know a lot of people my age and older who travel north or south to go out for a drink and a bite to eat.

“And I wanted something for women, a place where they’d want to have parties and bridal showers, without making it too uncomfortable for men.”

They’ve definitely succeeded. When I was there last Thursday evening, the place was about two-thirds full, and it was mostly ladies chowing down and clinking glasses.

The décor is pleasant and inviting. The lounge is noticeably quieter than the main room and done in a kind of nautical-meets-Napa style that Seibert-Whitney calls “Hampton-ish.”

So why would men feel comfortable here?

The craft beer selection is small but excellent. It includes Allagash Black, Oaked Arrogant Bastard Ale and Coronado Brewing Company Idiot IPA.

And the food should be a hit with the guys, even if the portions are appetizer size: sausage sliders, beef tenderloin, crispy onions, jumbo lump crab cakes. Food prices are reasonable, too — $6 to $14.

“We’ll have some favorites that will stay and some specials and seasonal entrees on our chalkboard at the bar,” chef Dale said.

Dubourdieu, who lives in Long Beach, is in charge of the wine inventory; her card reads “Wine Snob.” She studied at Laguna Culinary Arts with master sommelier Peter Neptune. This is her first job in the industry.

“I’m trying to find smaller wineries that produce under 60,000 cases (per year),” she said. “I don’t want to carry wines you can find at the supermarket. I have some boutique labels that (produce) less than 10,000 cases.”

Dubourdieu’s wine menu spans the old and new worlds, though her favorites are from the far side of the Atlantic. “I love Spain, especially the Rioja region. And Italian varietals. Barolos are great.”

She intends to cater to the usual O.C. tastes, too.

“We have some good California Cabs – Paul Hobbs, Sean Minor, Far Niente, Nickel & Nickel, Lancaster. We also have some great Oregon Pinot Noirs.”

The 1,500-bottle cellar behind the bar isn’t full yet, but Dubourdieu says it soon will be.

“I will be filling it up in the next two or three months. That’s the fun part.”

The three women squabbled a bit on the décor for Sea Legs. “That’s the reason we took so long to open,” Seibert-Whitney said. “Imagine three women having to agree on everything.”

But the trio was certain about the location from day one.

“We love this spot because it’s so close to the beach,” Dubourdieu said. “And this shopping center was being completely renovated so we knew that would bring some new blood in here.”

She gestured at the busy room, which was filling up despite a quiet opening and a complete absence of advertising. “Once summer comes, well, wow!”