The Appetizer

The Appetizer, Rolling Hills Estates

A local institution, The Appetizer has been around for almost 40 years. Owned by the Artiano family, The Appetizer serves deli-style sandwiches, pizza and pasta using the family's own recipes. Many regular customers are greeted by name. A relatively new innovation is the addition of imported German beers to the beer and wine list. The Restaurant offer free delivery within five miles of the Peninsula. Specialties are pizza dough made from scratch daily. Their signature dishes are the torpedo sandwich with salami, ham, cheese, italian lettuce, tomato, pepperocinis and the spaghetti and clams. 

Kelly's Korner

Kelly's Korner, Rolling Hills Estates

Kelly's Korner is simply a corner of the General Store and Post Office on Palos Verdes Drive North and Rolling Hills Road. The Korner serves homemade chili and deli-style sandwiches, along with thick milkshakes and root beer floats. Besides serving the loyal customers who come to by the shop, Kelly's Korner prepares and delivers made-to-order lunches for eight schools in the area. 

Rafaello's Pizza

Rafaello's Pizza, Palos Verdes Estates 

A cozy neighborhood pizza parlor, located just a block from Palos Verdes High School, has been a part of the community since the 90's. Rafaello's satisfies the appetites of local kids and adults alike. A hot spot for teens who enjoy stopping by for a snack after school, and it also draws a large lunch and weekend crowd. The restaurant is friendly and inviting. It offers a variety of menu options including hamburgers, sandwiches, pastas, and pizza. Rafaello's offers both indoor and outdoor seating. On a nice day, which is often in Palos Verdes, you can enjoy your meal at an outdoor table as you people watch. 

Malaga Cove Ranch Market

Malaga Cove Ranch Market, Palos Verdes Estates

Malaga Cove Ranch Market is a combination store and restaurant inside the beautiful plaza that bears its name. It is primarily a small groceries tore where customers get a variety of food and beverages as well as common household items. Tables and chairs are set up near the entrance where customers can sit and enjoy their coffee, or choose from the counter full of deli and dessert items. The Market offers eat-in, prepared foods, and take-out. Grocery services include bakery, beer, butcher, cheese shop, spirits, and wine. 

Think Prime Steakhouse

Think Prime Steakhouse, Rancho Palos Verdes

Think Prime Steakhouse is an elegant steak and seafood restaurant. Starting with a warm, fresh sourdough bread, butter, and tapenade, this steakhouse features a piano bar in the lounge from 6pm-10pm on weeknights and 7pm-11pm on weekends. Happy Hour is 4pm-6pm- half off the bar menu. There is an excellent wine list, but if you bring your own bottle on Monday or Tuesday, Think Prime will waive the corkage fee. Think Prime is owned by the same people who brought you Think Cafe and Think Bistro in San Francisco. Specialties include steaks (obviously)- especially the Kansas City and Flat-Iron. 

Cafe Pacific, Trump National Golf Club

Cafe Pacific, Rancho Palos Verdes 

Cafe Pacific, located at Trump National Golf Club, is the perfect place to eat if you're looking for fine dining in a casual setting. One of the two restaurants offered at the Club, Cafe Pacific is Trump's upscale casual restaurant with a creative menu featuring fresh ingredients and world-class dining. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of the golf course. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner is served with High Tea by reservation only. Lunch and dinner menus change daily. Specialties include Pan Roasted Jumbo Shrimp, Veal Milanese, Korean Style Braised Beef, Roasted Pancetta, Wrapped in Chilean SeaBass, and Cafe Pacific Rainbow Platter. 

Asaka Sushi

Asaka Japanese Cuisine, Rancho Palos Verdes

Located in the Golden Cove Shopping Center in Rancho Palos Verdes, Asaka overlooks the beautiful Pacific Ocean with views of Catalina Island, Nicolas Island, and the Malibu coastline. The menu includes lunch specials, sushi combos, salads, appetizers and sides, sashimi, hand rolls and cut rolls. The entrees are all served with rice and salad. A specialty of Asaka is their Chilean sea bass with special sauce.

Niccolo's Italian Restaurant

Niccolo's Italian Restaurant, Rancho Palos Verdes

Niccolo's has been a big part of the San Pedro/Rancho Palos Verdes community for over 16 years. A casual dining experience, great for the family- with TV's, video games, and a selection of beer and wine for the parents offers delicious italian meals including pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. Delivery is free after 5pm.  Niccolo's often offers daily specials like "all you can eat pizza and pasta Monday," so be sure to ask your waitress if there are any current specials.

Yellow Vase, Rancho Palos Verdes

Yellow Vase- This charming restaurant sells homey gifts such as aprons and decorated picture frames. From the restaurant is omelettes, crepes, soups, and salads. Catering is available as are specialty cakes. With comfortable seating both indoors and outdoors, no matter what you order, be sure to leave room for a cupcake. Yellow Vase was recently voted the best cupcake in Palos Verdes. 

Food and Dining- Yummy Yogurt

Food & Dining in Palos Verdes- Yummy Yogurt, Rolling Hills Estates 

In the mood for frozen yogurt? Located on Drybank Drive between Silver Spur and Indian Peak roads, this small and pleasant shop offers delicious yogurt basics-offering frozen yogurt (with several toppings options), smoothies, and juice drinks. Stop in and try some tasty yogurt.  Open daily from 11am-10pm.

Ruby's Diner, Palos Verdes Estates

Ruby's, Palos Verdes Estates

Every Ruby's has something unique to offer. This particular Ruby's location is situated directly across from the Palos Verdes Ice Rink, located at the Promenade on the Peninsula Shopping Center. While enjoying your meal, you can watch figure skaters and hockey practice. Fundraiser nights are also a big part of this Ruby's community involvement. Palos Verdes Peninsula High School is located only a few blocks away. Ruby's offers american style food with a diner feel, offering burgers and sandwiches. 

The Do's of Home Buying

The Do's of Home Buying

Do research the neighborhood. Location is the most important thing. Figure out what you're looking for, do research and find a neighborhood that fits your description. 

Do look at several houses before you buy. If you buy a home without comparing it to other listings in the area you're likely to overpay or miss out on a home nearby. If you still love the first one you saw, make an offer.

Do invest in a professional inspection. Sellers don't always disclose the whole truth to potential buyers. The average home buyer takes 15 minutes or less to choose a home but many potential problems might not be visible to the naked eye. Home inspectors look beyond the fresh coat of paint to find underlying problems. Ask your realtor for recommendations on home inspectors. 

Do buy based on needs, not wants. Think about your long term needs when buying a home. Make a list of your needs and stick to it to avoid buyer's remorse down the road. 

Tips for First Time Home Buyers- Making an Offer

Tips for First Time Home Buyers- Making an Offer

• When you're house shopping, you can't pull a number out of a hat. Find out what other homes in the area have sold for, how long ago the sale was and what amenities they have.
• It's the market that determines the value of a house.
• When figuring out the price of a property, sometimes it makes more sense to look at the price of a house in terms of monthly payments instead of focusing on that big number.
• When a renovated house is priced low, it is a good indication that the owners are looking for a bidding war -- they want to get as much money as possible out of the sale.
• Sometimes people think that by starting really low they'll end up with a better price on a house, but actually it usually works the opposite way.
• The three most important matters when it comes to negotiation are information, preparation and realism.
• When you buy a property, you should always have a home inspector come through. You never know what they're going to uncover. 
• If the home inspector should find something, then you can use it to your advantage to renegotiate the deal. Or you might have to walk away.
• The key to success when buying a home is to trust the experts.

Home Hunting Tips for First Time Home Buyers

House Hunting Tips for First Time Home Buyers

Before you begin to house shop, you need to have an idea of what kind of neighborhood you want to live in and the style of house you want.

Real estate never sleeps. If you're trying to buy a hot property, you have to move quickly, or you could possibly lose it.

When you are looking at a house, you have to have a wish list, but you have to understand that no house is going to be perfect.

You have to see past the junk and see the potential. When you buy a house, it's not just a place to live in, it's an investment. Keep in mind your dollars down the road.

Don't judge a book by its cover. Same goes for a house. Go inside and look around before making a decision.

When it comes to investing, the best place to invest is in an up-and-coming area.

Feelings often take over the first time you go through a house, but the second visit allows time to do a thorough inspection led by your head, not your heart.

Properties in good shape are rare, and they don't stay on the market for long.

It is especially important to have a home inspection if you are looking to buy an aging or older house. They look past the visible surface to the infrastructure, inspecting plumbing and looking for faulty fixtures and waste lines. They check electrical systems to make sure they aren't overloaded or a safety hazard. They also look at possible structural problems like the foundation, walls and floor joists.

Things to Know Before Buying Your First Home

Things to Know Before Buying Your First Home

1. The cost  of owning a home is more than simply the purchase price. There are several monthly fees and expenses in addition to your monthly mortgage payment that you need to be prepared for. This includes insurance, property taxes, utilities, and maintenance. However, the costs associated with owning your first home are bearable. 

2. Programs are out there for first-time buyers. A significant down payment is never a bad investment- it gives you instant home equity and a lower monthly payment. But, if you can't manage to get a larger down payment, you don't have to give up your dream of home ownership. There are many federal, state, and local programs dedicated to helping first-time homebuyers with down payments, interest rates and loan terms. 

3. Foreclosures and short sales can be great deals but proceed with caution. Many homebuyers have gotten great deals on these types of homes. However, buying a foreclosure or short sale can come with some red flags. Most of these homes are sold "as-is." Since maintenance isn't always a top priority for homeowners facing foreclosure, these properties may need a significant amount of work. With short sales, transactions are lengthy and more complicated than a typical home purchase.

4. Getting pre-approved for a loan gives you more buying power. Before you begin your house hunt, be sure you have a pre-approved letter which proves that a lender has offered you a specific mortgage. This is important because it establishes your maximum purchase price, shows sellers you're serious about buying, and if you get pre-approved by several lenders you can compare interest rates and terms to find the best deal.

5. School districts can affect property value. Even if you don't have kids, buying a home near good school districts can help your home's resale value. The most important aspect of a home's value is the neighborhood it's in. If you cannot afford these neighborhoods, look for fixer-uppers in the area. They may need work but they will have built-in property value.

6. Do your homework to help make a competitive offer. Before you make an offer on a home, crunch the numbers to figure out the property's market value. Have your agent do a comparative market analysis where he or she will compare the home you want to buy to recently sold homes in the area with the same square footage, construction, age, etc. The analysis will show you what buyers were willing to pay for similar homes in your neighborhood giving you a good starting point.