Arches moves up with optimism

It’s 2 p.m., the bar is half stocked, booths are nowhere to be seen and there’s no linen or settings on the tables in the new Arches restaurant on Cannery Row.

Yet owner Dan Marcheano persists.

“We’ll be open for dinner at 4 p.m.”

That’s just a taste of the unrelenting optimism that keeps this staple Newport Beach eatery moving ahead.

Faced with half the seating capacity and almost non-existent parking, Marcheano sees only good things in the restaurant’s new home at 508 29th St. on the Balboa Peninsula.

And things keep looking up. A valuable photo collage of World War II-era images and military pamphlets that was believed to have been stolen Wednesday night was returned — found resting against a wall at the Arches over the weekend.

In all the bustle of the move someone slipped it in one of the alcoves and it went unnoticed until one of the employees found it.

Just six weeks ago, the Arches had no home after the 15-year lease expired at the end of the month, he said. Now things are coming together.

“It’s not going to be perfect for a while but we’re up to it,” Marcheano said. “Take it as a negative and that’s exactly how it will be.

“A lot of people around here walk and use bicycles. I think we’ll be just fine.”

Marcheano is looking to assemble the perfect mixture of old and new offering many of the classic customer favorites — filets, seafood and frog’s legs — while incorporating a more rustic feel. The addition of outdoor seating, absent from the old Arches made room for two barbecues seated in the back patio to be used to accommodate the additional grilled menu choices.

Plus, a remodeling of the entire joint in Arches signature burgundy and brown has made the place feel like a new home.

“If you don’t know it’s the Arches by the time you pull up, just keep on driving,” Marcheano said.

A number of loyal patrons stopped in to see how things were progressing Monday. Many promised to return for dinner later that night.

“It’s a classic, has incredible service,” said Christie Wright. “We’re going to follow them whatever they do.”