PhotosLatvia defines itself on its own terms, apart from its history of being subjugated by Imperial Poland, Sweden, Lithuania, Germany, and Russia. Latvian is now the language taught in schools, Latvia restaurants are proudly localvore, …
April 10, 2025
It takes a Renaissance woman to cover the cool, shocking, tasty, and thought-provoking things on this planet. Tamar started life as a professional violinist and was the youngest girl to solo with the Chicago Symphony. Her teachers included Daniel Heifetz at the Peabody Conservatory. However, after earning her BA in Political Science from Goucher College, her JD from the University of Baltimore School of Law, and membership in the Maryland Bar, she discovered there was a whole world out there beyond classical music and courthouses. Or, perhaps it was when appearing on TV with celebrities such as Bill Maher, Greta Van Susteren, and Peter Frampton. Possibly, it was after she judged the Roadkill Cookoff, the International Water Tasting Fest, or the Mason-Dixon Chef Tournament.
Tamar is a Kentucky Colonel, a beauty pageant winner, and has managed several Southern rock and alt-country bands.
Articles by Tamar Fleishman
On the road: Latvia, then and now
Ohio’s Culinary Vegetable Institute: where chefs go to play
Ohioan Farmer Lee Jones, considered by many to be “America’s Farmer,” moved his family’s farm to create an original concept: specialty grower for the finest chefs in the US and abroad. Recently, Mr. Jones made …
August 29, 2023
Mi’kmaq and FDR in New Brunswick, Canada
Though I spent a week in New Brunswick, I could see that I just touched the surface of all the different places and cultures of the Canadian Atlantic province. But two aspects stood out as …
October 16, 2022
Portugal’s Atlantic Coast: rich history meets seaside serenity
Portugal has a long, rich history that colors everything from its language, food and architecture. It was settled by homo sapiens 35,000 years ago and retains traces of a non–Indo European language and even DNA. …
October 25, 2019
Ancient Wroclaw, Poland
I visited Wroclaw, Poland, during an interesting time in history: it was the 100th anniversary of Poland’s independence, the 100th anniversary of the Armistice and the 80th anniversary of Kristallnacht. As for Wroclaw itself, it …
May 11, 2019
Reykjavik: less like a tourist, more like a local
Though it was not my first time in Iceland, it was my first time single and, for most of the time, without any travel companion. It turned out to be a fine thing. You can …
February 24, 2019
NY’s Finger Lakes: big city thrills, mountain town charm
Usually, when you think of little towns in Appalachia complete with serene lakes, it’s easy to make assumptions on what you can do and see. Of course, you expect beauty and quiet relaxation. But the …
December 16, 2018
I forge a Virginia ham trail
When you visit a region, its cuisine says as much about its culture as paintings in an art museum. Travelers rush to Napa Valley for wine, Wisconsin for cheese, Maine for lobster... but there’s just …
May 27, 2018
Life goes on in Las Vegas
Heading to Las Vegas two months after the Mandalay Bay shootings – the deadliest (civilian) mass shooting in American history – you’d have to be a sociopath not to think of death. But eventually, like …
February 25, 2018