While Marlowe takes the prize as the week's highest-profile newcomer, there were some other debuts as well. Here we go with the best of the rest:
1) Oakland: Not nearly in time for Valentine's Day, tonight is the debut of Heart and Dagger Saloon. In the old Serenader spot in the Lakeshore District, it comes with the slogan of "good spirits for bad people" (sidenote: more restaurants/bars should have slogans or mottos; they are wildly entertaining, especially when terrible), and is going for the oxymoron of being a new dive bar with the cheapest drinks in town. Many more details at the Oakland Trib. 504 Lake Park Avenue, between Grand and Lakeshore; 510-444-7300, website [EaterWire]
2) Wine Country: Last weekend, the 110-seat Farmstead finally opened along with the Long Meadow Ranch Winery. Rutherford Grill vet Sheamus Feeley is running the kitchen, and a sample of the comfort food/farm-to-table menu can be perused online. The menu includes Long Meadow Ranch's products too, like grass-fed beef, eggs, fruits, vegetables, extra virgin olive oil, and honey. 738 Main Street, St. Helena; 707-963-9181; website [EaterWire]
