REVIEWS

Colman Andrews’ My Usual Table Chronicles his Life in Restaurants

American writer, editor and food cognoscente Colman Andrews “grew up in restaurants,” and his new memoir, My Usual Table, eulogizes the dining establishments, and their casts of characters, that evolved his palate and his insatiable hunger for the world's cuisines.

Timur and the Dime Museum at the Central Library

In downtown Los Angeles last night, some set out for the Music Center to see Ukranian bass Vitalij Kowaljow sing a passionate farewell to his daughter, as Wotan in Wagner's “Ring” cycle, while others tucked into the Central Library to see Timur Bekbosunov, a tenor from Kazakhstan perform operatic versions of “I Put a Spell On You” and “Closer” backed by The Dime Museum, an 8-piece Vaudevillian band.

Brad Mehldau at Largo

Brad Mehldau is not an L.A. guy. Born in Jacksonville, Florida, the pianist spent much of his childhood in Connecticut. He went to school in New York, started playing with Joshua Redman in New York, and now lives in Brooklyn, but his concert at the Largo on Tuesday night felt like a homecoming.

Moosewood Restaurant Favorites

It's been 40 years since Moosewood restaurant, a natural foods restaurant in downtown Ithaca's Dewitt Mall, was founded by a collective of cooks unconcerned with culinary school and determined to promote an herbivorous lifestyle.

Gustavo “Electrico!” Dudamel (Also, Alisa Weilerstein with the L.A. Phil)

Last night at Disney Hall, while conducting Dvorák's Cello Concerto in B minor with soloist Alisa Weilerstein, Gustavo Dudamel pulled a muscle in his neck and was unable to return for the second half of the program. 

Al Green at the Greek

At Al Green's concert at the Greek Theater on Saturday night, there were few surprises.

Duck, Duck, Goose: Hank Shaw’s New Cookbook

Duck, Duck, Goose, a new guide to cooking waterfowl from hunter, writer and cook Hank Shaw, could be read as a variation on Wallace Stevens' famous poem “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” save that Shaw's ode flows through more than 200 pages of prose, and the object of his affections always ends up on a plate.

Bill Frisell, Jason Moran, and Kenny Wollesen at Largo

At Largo last night, Jason Moran took his place at the Steinway while Bill Frisell tuned his six-string guitar before the first of two sets. Drummer Kenny Wollesen gathered his drum sticks and sat back in his seat.

Hilary Hahn brings her Encores Project to Disney

Hilary Hahn’s performance at Disney Hall on Tuesday night with her longtime collaborator, pianist Valentina Lisitsa, began and ended with an encore.