pastry shop within two weeks.

It is part of husband and wife Harald and Martha Jane Grimm's ambitious plans for their business.

They opened Paw Paw's in July on the site of the former South Shore Cafe off South Road, Warwick.

The Grimms had previously tried to buy the business but the deal did not go through because "the timing wasn't right'', said Mr. Grimm.

Whereas the South Shore Cafe struggled to attract customers, German-born Mr.

Grimm has high hopes for Paw Paw's.

He has turned the restaurant into a French bistro -- "similar to those you would find in many parts of Europe'' -- introducing comprehensive new lunch and dinner menus.

Unusual menu items include snail soup and lobster ravioli.

Although Mr. Grimm believes Bermuda has too many restaurants, he has no doubts Paw Paw's can succeed.

One of the main sources for his confidence is his belief that he has the right concept for the restaurant.

Some businesses failed because there was no overall master plan for it to follow, he said.

"You can't take over a business blindfolded and just hope things work out,'' he said. "You must have a concept.'' His concept was to have a brightly-lit, cosy, French bistro serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, with an inside bar and an adjacent bakery, pastry shop and ice cream parlour.

"I get goose bumps just thinking about the concept,'' said Mr. Grimm. "To open up a business in this economy is very, very tricky and dangerous.

"There are already far too many restaurants in Bermuda. This is the sort of economic climate where a sorting out of restaurants will occur.

That was no bad thing, though, he said.

"Only the best will survive,'' he added. "That will be good for the Island.'' Mr. Grimm was previously executive chef at the Inverurie/Palm Reef Hotel, where he spent some 15 years.

Since most of his time is spent managing Paw Paw's, the restaurant's food is prepared by German chef Mr. Peter Lopian, who also used to work for the Palm Reef.

Paw Paw's seats 50 outside, 45 inside and another 12 at the bar.

The restaurant currently serves lunches from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and dinners from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. six days a week, and is closed on Tuesdays during the off season.

The pastry and bakery shop and ice cream parlour will be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week.

Once the tourist season starts, the business will serve breakfast and its hours of opening will be extended.

BIG PLANS FOR PAW PAW'S -- Harald and Martha Jane Grimm.