Arianne Cohen is a former editor in chief of Portland Monthly.

Sweet Eats

Sonya Sanford’s Middle Eastern–Inspired Cheesecake Recipe

The Portland chef's take swaps in labneh for cream cheese and makes magic with fresh strawberries.

06/05/2024 By Arianne Cohen Photography by Michael Novak

Subcultures

About the Thousands of Dentists Converging on Portland This Week

May the floss be with them.

04/03/2024 By Arianne Cohen

Golden Years

Lifestyles of the Happy and Gray

For our wisest Portlanders, flexible schedules and good company are the key to joy.

03/21/2024 By Andi Prewitt and Arianne Cohen Photography by Jason Hill

Jenga!

How to Turn That Property into an Income Stream, Portland Style

A women-owned local company enables a new type of developer: you.

01/09/2024 By Arianne Cohen Photography by Michael Novak

Downtown

We Slept around Portland to Find the Best Staycations

Can luxury stays at downtown hotels outmatch the siren song of our editor’s cozy bed at home?

01/02/2024 By Arianne Cohen

Most Innovative Restaurants

The Pizza Shop Run by One Guy. Yes, Just One.

Two years of operating Gracie’s Apizza solo taught Craig Melillo a new model for restaurants.

12/21/2023 By Arianne Cohen Photography by Michael Raines

Sanity

Why Are Oregon Therapists Training for 500 Fewer Hours?

Alarming as it sounds, it’s a good thing.

12/13/2023 By Arianne Cohen

Tail Tales

Phyllis the Pit Bull Has Some Concerns

For decades, dogs like Phyllis had a bumpy path to adoption. The Oregon Humane Society is trying to change that.

12/12/2023 By Arianne Cohen

Our 20th Anniversary

Ready, Set, Renaissance: 10 Ideas for Reinventing the City We Love

What if the city had a riverfront amphitheater, a botanical garden, a 24-hour downtown, and a commuter ferry?

12/06/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Tara Jacoby

Our 20th Anniversary

Fixing Portland? They’re on It.

Here's the comeback story you've been awaiting. The city’s busiest minds are on it.

12/06/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Tara Jacoby

Litmus Test

What 10 People Really Think about Portland

We posed hard questions to locals and tourists about our favorite city, and their answers struck a chord.

12/05/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Rob Dobi

Psychology

Scientists Discover the Portland Personality

Our city is low on one critical trait, and it explains everything.

11/01/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Chris Gash

Taste Test

The Best (and Worst) Black Teas, from Portland and Beyond

We pitted four teas by local favorite Steven Smith Teamaker against national brands like Lipton.

10/31/2023 By Arianne Cohen

Culture

Want to Support the Arts? 7 Steps to Becoming an Arts Benefactor (Yes, You)

Prolific arts donor Ronni Lacroute tells us how to become a rookie arts benefactor.

09/25/2023 By Arianne Cohen Illustrations by Lars Leetaru

Power Ranking

We Ranked Every McMenamins in and around Portland

The local brewery-winery-distillery-historic-hotel-theater-concert-hall-wedding-venue-etc. empire turned 40 in 2023, and we graded every one within 20 miles.

09/22/2023 By Dalila Brent, Arianne Cohen, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Isabel Lemus Kristensen, Michael Novak, Margaret Seiler, and Sam Stites

Interview

In Noise Hell? This Portland Sound Engineer Has Heard It All Before.

But Tobin Cooley can’t help with that earworm that’s stuck in your head.

09/20/2023 By Arianne Cohen Photography by NashCO Photo

Chocolate

Taste Test: Best (and Worst) Dark Chocolate, Local and Not

Which low-sugar bar should you reach for when you're craving chocolate? We tested PNW bars like Theo and JCoco, alongside national bars like Ghirardelli.

09/12/2023 By Arianne Cohen

Arts

Arts Insiders Share Their Culture Picks for Fall 2023

No need to guess. We cribbed the must-see arts and music plans of Portlanders in the know.

09/07/2023 Illustrations by Lars Leetaru By Arianne Cohen

The 2023 PoMo Weird Wine Challenge

What's Weird Wine?

Winemakers are bucking norms in the hills surrounding Portland, producing delicious explorations of taste and form. We invite you to taste and slosh your way through our top picks.

08/18/2023 By Arianne Cohen, Katherine Chew Hamilton, Jordan Michelman, Tamara Turner, and Hannah Wallace Photography by Michael Novak

Condiments

Taste Test: Best (and Worst) Ketchups, Local and Not

We compared three Oregon-made ketchups to international megabrand, Heinz. Which belong in your fridge?

08/08/2023 By Arianne Cohen