closed Showbizz restaurant.

And the owner believes that confusion over its original name -- Mamma Rosa -- and Mexican eatery Rosa's Cantina is now cleared up.

Mr. Alex Porpiglia, owner of the La Turtuga Bar Mamma Rosa pizzeria and restaurant, said the new business' bar -- the La Turtuga -- is up and running while he anticipates the restaurant -- Mamma Rosa -- managed by Mr. Junior Ming, should be serving continental breakfasts and lunches within a week.

Mr. Porpiglia, born and raised in Italy, has a Mallorca restaurant called Mamma Rosa and derived the Bermuda business' name from that location. Because of the similarity to Rosa's Cantina, owned by Mr. John Roach, he will put the bar's name ahead of the restaurant's when the sign outside goes up.

To avoid confusion, the sign on the restaurant will say "La Turtuga Bar Mamma Rosa'' said Mr. Porpiglia.

The new business, located on the corner of Reid and King Streets, is not affiliated with Rosa's Cantina.

"It is my understanding it will be called La Turtuga,'' said Mr. Roach, commenting on the similarity.

The new restaurant's operations will include dinner service at a later date, added Mr. Porpiglia.

The entrepreneur has a wide range of experiences in the food and beverage industry from starting as a busboy at an Excesior hotel in Rome at age 13 to working in Bermuda for 14 years, most recently as owner of the Bermuda Rock restaurant in St. George's.

"Bermuda gives me a lot of tranquillity. In Europe and the United States everybody is bustling about, life is different here. When I arrive and I hear the words `Welcome to Bermuda' that is what I want to hear,'' he said.

Although there are already several Italian restaurants on the Island, each has its own style and so too will La Turtuga Bar Mamma Rosa pizzeria with "genuine, simple excellent food,'' he said.