As a young girl, Josephine Pittman dreamed...

As a young girl, Josephine Pittman dreamed of owning her own restaurant. Then she grew up and landed a job as an inspector at the Martin aerospace company. Twenty-five years later--after the recent closure of the 190th Street aerospace plant--her childhood dream started bubbling over in her mind again. A few months ago, with partner Edward Porter, she opened Josephine’s in San Pedro.

“I work twice as hard as I did as an inspector,” Pittman says, “sometimes 15 hours a day, but I don’t feel it. When you do something you love, it’s not hard, it’s rewarding.”

On a quiet street, at the site of the former Caruso’s, Josephine’s is an attractive restaurant with pretty light fixtures, hardwood floors, etched-glass windows, booths and a grand piano that guests are welcome to play.

In this gracious setting, Josephine’s prepares a variety of Southern specialties. Shrimp etouffee ($13.95) consists of 12 large shrimp smothered in a sauce embellished with red pepper, cayenne, paprika and butter. Tender short ribs of beef ($9.95) are popular. Fried chicken ($7.95), features three moist and slightly crunchy pieces. All entrees are served with two vegetables and a choice of macaroni and cheese, corn bread dressing or rice. A lot of people seem to go for the mac and cheese.

Several chalkboard specials are offered--maybe grilled breast of chicken with a lemon-herb marinade ($6.95), or grilled red snapper ($6.95). Soups include a bean soup ($2.75 a bowl), made with 15 bean varieties enriched with smoked sausage.

For breakfast, there are scrambled eggs with crab meat ($6.15) and a country scramble ($6.15), which is eggs, mushrooms, bell peppers, tomatoes, onions, bacon and Cheddar cheese all mixed together. Breakfasts are accompanied by home fries or grits, and two buttermilk biscuits.

Josephine’s is at 383 W. 5th St., San Pedro. (310) 833-2085. Open seven days, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.