Restaurant Watch: Rockridge Wine Bar Opens Friday with Special Dinner and Wine Pairings

Openings and closings:

The Barrel Room, the new Rockridge branch of a popular San Francisco wine bar, will open Friday, Dec. 13, at 5330 College Ave., Oakland. According to its Facebook page, The Barrel Room will celebrate its opening with a four-course dinner with wine pairings, Friday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. $65 per person. RSVP to info@barrelroomsf.com. Co-owner Sarah Trubnick told Patch earlier this year that The Barrel Room will offer about 50 wines at a time by the glass, with a rotating list that will change every six weeks. See "Restaurant Watch: Wine Shop and Tasting Bar to Open in September" for more about The Barrel Room.

Penrose, the new bar and grill from the owner of Boot and Shoe Service, opened in late November at 3311 Grand Ave., Oakland. Dinner service only, no reservations.

Also in late November, Pathos, an organic Greek restaurant, opened in downtown Berkeley; read a report on Berkeleyside here.

Mezze, 3407 Lakeshore Ave., Oakland, is expected to close sometime next week, making way for the new occupant of the space, Shakewell Bar & Kitchen, according to Splash Pad Newsletter.

Plan ahead:

The fourth annual Oakland Restaurant Week is scheduled for Jan. 17-26, 2014, with prix fixe meals at $20, $30 or $40 for lunch and dinner at more than 40 participating restaurants.

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