CANNERY ROW : Shhhh--Quiet Village South of Lido Marina Is Well-Kept Secret

The mention of Lido Marina Village sparks a look of recognition in the eye of even the newest transplant to Orange County. Fewer are familiar with its quieter cousin to the south, Cannery Village.

Named for the mackerel and tuna canneries that thrived there during the 1940s and ‘50s, the 40 acres south of 32nd Street are still home to some marine-related businesses and a famous replica of a fish-processing plant, the Cannery restaurant. Antique shops, restaurants, a gallery and a coffeehouse now share the neighborhood.

It’s almost a shame to give it away, but the Cannery Village is one of the few places on Balboa Peninsula that has lots of parking--even on beach days.

11:30 to 12:30: The Raft Cafe was reincarnated in August under new ownership. The outdoor tables still offer a peaceful view of sailboats and motorboats as they dock in the Rhine inlet of Newport Bay. But today’s Raft is painted in bright whites, and ivy grows in clay pots at the center of each table. Also, the cafe is no longer open for dinner, except by special request.

The menu is cultural correctness with a helping of yuppie. Brioche, scones and a “Birkenstock bowl” of granola yogurt and fruit are for breakfast. Lunch is a sandwich and salad, at $5.50 a plate. The vegetarian sandwich--grilled eggplant, roasted peppers, goat cheese, watercress and thyme on a French roll--is worth a repeat visit. Other selections are roast beef with horseradish cream, turkey with cranberry relish and tuna with radicchio.

Don’t mind what you wear; the mood is casual. A waiter asks you to grab your own menu on your way in.

12:30 to 1: Across the street is a cluttered antique shop, Jane’s Antiques, which is the answer for retro-pocketbook shoppers everywhere.

The pocketbooks are square or round, cloth and vinyl, and priced from $8 to $35. My favorite has a six-inch-long metal clasp embossed with “Worldtour.”

The pocketbooks are scattered among dresses, old-timey buttons, throw pillows, glassware and a pair of Size 10 high heels with flower appliques.

In a dash of modernity, the shop offers such used books as “What I Saw at the Revolution” by former Reagan speech writer Peggy Noonan and “You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation” by Deborah Tannen.

1 to 1:30: Stepping from Jane’s to Mr. D’s is like going to another country. Mr. D’s is a very orderly collection of trolls, Uncle Sams, Daniel Boones and tiny ceramic mice.

My favorite corner of this figurine haven is the Hummel case. It boasts authentic Hummel statuettes, which you can take home for $20 to $300.

1:30 to 2: Both the Cottage Flowers-Backdoor Studio and the La Roche Gallery are worth at least a quick visit, perhaps longer depending on your taste.

Cottage Flowers has some unusual, wildflower-type flowers on display, and the studio feels as if it’s hidden deep in a mossy forest.

The La Roche Gallery is a warehouse that has been spray-painted blue and white inside to give the illusion of sky and clouds. The displays of photographs and paintings change every six weeks or so.

2 to 2:30: There’s an Etch A Sketch at Alta Coffee & Roasting Co. and a caddy filled with poker chips. In other words, stop and sit a while. The place is a favorite of local coffee drinkers, about 70 of whom leave their mugs at the Alta permanently. The restaurant washes them and takes 25 cents off the price of a cup.

You won’t regret choosing the blueberry cobbler.

Lido Marina Village

1. The Raft Cafe, 2816 Lafayette Ave. (714) 673-0793. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. No credit cards accepted.

2. Jane’s Antiques, 2815 Lafayette Ave. (714) 675-5695. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

3. Mr. D’s Fine Gifts & Collectibles, 511 29th St. (714) 675-4913. Open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

4. Cottage Flowers-Backdoor Studio, 508 31st St.(714) 673-7344. Open Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m.; Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

5. La Roche Gallery, 503 31st St. (714) 673-3301. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to noon. The gallery may not be open Saturday, so call to check.

6. Alta Coffee & Roasting Co., 506 31st St. (714) 675-0233. Opens at 7 a.m. daily. Closes Monday and Tuesday at 5 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday at 11 p.m., and Sunday at 10 p.m.

Metered parking can be found along each street, ranging from 20 minutes to two hours.