US – Tuesday, March 16
The week's releases
Metro staff reviews the latest CDs, DVDs and books for your reading pleasure.
 
Quite the bright, Buble personality
For three very successful records, Michael Buble has reinterpreted standards. But when it came to last fall’s hit album, “Crazy Love,” the pop/jazz singer decided it was time to start telling his own stories and included two originals, including the Sinatra-esque “Haven’t Met You Yet.”
 
The return from being a ‘Runaway’
Cherie Currie’s name may not be as immediately recognizable as Joan Jett’s, but with this week’s release of “The Runaways” movie —which stars Kristen Stewart and Dakota Fanning — a new generation is sure to learn at least one thing: Madonna wasn’t the first blond bombshell to don a corset while rocking the mic. Currie did it first.
 
When history books really do suck: Old Abe meets the vampires
Although it strikes most people as an usual combination, vampires and Abraham Lincoln seemed like a perfectly natural pairing to “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” author Seth Grahame-Smith.
 
Valerie Harper gets ‘Looped,’ dahling
Tallulah Bankhead was as much of a character as she was an actress. Although she set the screen on fire in such films as Alfred Hitchcock’s “Lifeboat” and garnered rave reviews on Broadway, her scandalous personal life — and her witty take on her indiscretions — made her a legend. Valerie Harper takes on Bankhead in her twilight years in the new Broadway production of “Looped.”
 
Updated 10:47, May the 27th, 2009
 

Thanks for the tasty reminder

FOOD. We may not need widespread recognition to highlight how great Philadelphia’s dining scene is, but accolades from national publications are a nice reminder that we’ve got something special going on.

The next time you’re stuck choosing between champagne mango and Madagascar bourbon vanilla or one of the other phenomenal flavors of gelato at a Capogiro location (www.capogirogelato.com), remember you’re not just in a conundrum, but in one of the 10 best ice cream stores in America according to Bon Appetit.

Looking for a quality pizza? Forget Brooklyn and celebrate with a pie at Tacconelli’s (2604 E. Somerset, 215-425-4983) or Osteria (640 N. Broad St., 215-763-0920). Both were named among the 25 best pizzas in America by GQ magazine.

Philadelphia has scores of great burgers, but Food Network has named the Royal Tavern’s (937 E. Passyunk Ave., 215-389-6694) version the best in Pennsylvania. With toppings of Gouda, chili mayonnaise and long hots, is it any wonder?

Jose Garces  — who recently picked up a James Beard Award for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic — grabs national mentions by the boatload. Most recently his Distrito (3945 Chestnut St., 215-222-1657) made Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List. Who knows what praise will be heaped on his next project, Village Whiskey?

Fellow newbie Zahav (237 Saint James Place, 215-625-8800) was also on the list, and was among the spots highlighted in a recent New York Times travel article on Philly — a piece that refreshingly didn’t focus on cheesesteaks, but rather on the likes of Silk City, North Bowl and Sabrina’s Café.

Arthur Etchells is a local food blogger. Read more at www.foobooz.com.

 
 
 
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MMMpod
The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.
 
 
 
Metro Life Panel