Sea, Soy, Saw

Atlantis and tofu may sound like some newfangled New Age combination--but in fact it’s a great way to spend a day in Garden Grove. You can visit a playground inspired by Atlantis on one side of the Garden Grove Freeway, explore Korean cuisine on the other.

LATE MORNING 1

According to legend, the nation of a super-civilization sank to the bottom of the sea about 3000 B.C. Some young visitors to Garden Grove are wondering if the Lost City hasn’t resurfaced at Atlantis Play Center. Danny Sea Dragon, a 40-foot concrete slide, and Wally the Whale, a smaller slide, make a convincing case, as do a Poseidon statue, the Dolly Dolphin family, a Viking ship, Sandy Sea Serpent and Stella Starfish, who, according to a sign, seldom smiles. (But don’t believe everything you read: A sign near the flying sea steeds mentions bouncing and bobbing, but the steeds are set firmly in concrete.)

The four-acre center is an “island” within Garden Grove Park. For safety reasons, it’s fenced in, and all adults must be accompanied by a child. The original play equipment, designed and fabricated by city staff, dates to 1962. The playground, the city’s first park, opened one year later and was expanded and refurbished in 1991.

Admission is $1 per person; children under 2 are free.

LUNCH 2

There are numerous Vietnamese restaurants on the southern side of Garden Grove Park, but Garden Grove is better known for its Korean restaurants. To sample Korean barbecue, grilled at your table ($12-$13), or cold noodle dishes ($7-$11), try Kook Il B.B.Q. (Don’t worry, that doesn’t translate “cook ill.” It’s at 9693 Garden Grove Blvd.)

Better yet, try Beverly Tofu House for a delightful and economical lunch experience centered on the volcanically roiling and sputtering casserole known as soontofu ($5.99, kids $4.99). The restaurant opened in its modest storefront location a year ago but shares ownership with Beverly Soon Tofu, which has been getting kudos in Los Angeles for 11 years.

Indicate your tolerance for spice when you order.

The appetizer is slices of soft tofu (try picking those up with chopsticks). Casserole possibilities includes a combination of beef or pork, oyster and baby clams; a seafood combo of oysters, baby clams, mussels and shrimp; kimchi (Korean pickled cabbage) with any of the above ingredients; cod egg and vegetable; and seaweed. The waitress adds an egg to any of the casseroles upon presentation. A host of side dishes are included, among them two kinds of kimchi, other pickled vegetables, and choice of white rice, or rice with assorted beans. Dessert is a stick of Carefree gum.

The split-log decor extends even to kids’ high chairs. On the walls are little masks and a kayakum, a harp-like Korean stringed instrument.

AFTERNOON 3 4

Across the street you’ll find Western stringed instruments--hundreds of them--on the walls at A-String Violin Shop.

Violins start at $79. The shop sells new and used violins, violas, cellos and basses--and does repairs. Hanging on the walls along with the instruments are Stradivarius posters and a tiny, scale-model Stradivarius violin, dismantled, with all parts identified. Owner Moo K. Lim, conductor of the Los Angeles-based Korean Orchestra, also teaches violin.

For kimchi to take home, stop in at Korean Bakery, where you’ll find versions including young radish, turnip green and radish with Chinese cabbage (small container $4-$6, large $12). A generous package of vegetarian Korean sushi is $2.50.

For Halloween, keep in mind the pumpkin-filled bread ($1.25) a few doors down at Olive Bakery (9240 Garden Grove Blvd., No. 19).

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1) Atlantis Play Center

Garden Grove Park, 9301 Atlantis Way, (714) 892-6015.

11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, noon-4 p.m. Sunday.

2) Beverly Tofu House

9562 Garden Grove Blvd., (714) 530-0365.

9:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m. Sunday.

3) A-String Violin Shop

9595 Garden Grove Blvd., (714) 638-4624.

10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10:30 p.m.-6 p.m. Saturday.

4) Korean Bakery

9240 Garden Grove Blvd., (714) 537-5150.

8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday-Friday.

Parking: The violin shop has free street parking. There is free parking in lots at the other locations.

Buses: OCTA Bus No. 60 runs along Westminster Boulevard with stops at Atlantis Way and Magnolia Street. Bus No. 33 runs along Magnolia Street with stops at Westminster and Garden Grove boulevards. Bus No. 56 runs along Garden Grove Boulevard with stops at Magnolia and Gilbert streets.