Karen Brooks eats, drinks and thinks about food for Portland Monthly, as the magazine's trend-spotting food critic at large. Karen's reviews and think pieces ferret out the restaurants, food carts, and maverick thinkers defining Portland's food voice. In 2017, Karen won one of the food world's most prestigious titles: the James Beard Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Reviewer Award. She's penned nine books on food and drink, and in 2020 guest-starred on Hulu's food series, Eater's Guide to the World.

THE TABLE SETTER

In the ‘70s and ‘80s, This Prolific Portland Restaurateur Redefined “Fine Dining”

Michael Vidor—the man behind L’Auberge, Genoa, and Tanuki—replaced stodge with bohemian, come-as-you-are excellence.

08/15/2016 By Karen Brooks

HAIL CAESAR

How Zefiro Changed Everything for Portland’s Food Scene

In the ‘90s, the most mythical of Portland restaurants ruled over NW 21st and Glisan.

08/15/2016 By Karen Brooks

CHANGE AGENTS

In 2002, Two Crazy Kids Basically Invented the Modern Portland Restaurant

Michael Hebb and Naomi Pomeroy redefined the city’s old-world restaurant order.

08/15/2016 By Karen Brooks

FOOD HISTORY

Pioneer Salt, Giant Pancakes, and Sexy Salads: The Two-Century-Long Story of How Portland Conquered the Food World

Here are the wild spots, rule breakers, lost treasures, and unforgettable dishes that forged our food culture.

08/15/2016 Edited by Kelly Clarke By Karen Brooks, Tuck Woodstock, and Michael Zusman Photography by Nicolle Clemetson Styled by Ashley Marti/Local Haven

Breaking News

The Inside Scoop on Tusk, Portland’s Most Anticipated Restaurant of 2016

Eat Beat has the first look at the vegetable-forward Middle Eastern spot, courtesy of Ava Gene’s owner Joshua McFadden and his A-list crew.

08/15/2016 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

Pine Street Market’s Common Law Closes; Kim Jong Grillin’/Smokehouse Tavern Collaboration Will Fill Space

Chef Patrick McKee’s fine dining French-Asian spot calls it quits. Up next: KJS, a Korean barbecue-meets-smoked meats project from two of Portland’s favorite meat men.

08/11/2016 By Kelly Clarke

EAT THIS NOW

Where to Eat This Week: August 10–17

Dirty dirty fries at OP Wurst and soft-serve at Lovely’s Fifty Fifty are your required eating for the week.

08/10/2016 By Eat Beat Team

BREAKING NEWS

The Inside Scoop on Upcoming Korean Spot Revelry

Eat Beat has the first look and menu details at Revelry, a new restaurant from Seattle superstars Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi.

08/08/2016 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

Food Cart Standout Tiffin Asha to Open Brick-and-Mortar on NE Killingsworth

The cart gets a permanent home for its playful dosas and Southern Indian snacks across the street from Hat Yai and Podnah’s Pit.

08/02/2016 By Karen Brooks

Breaking News

Appalachian Hot Spot Mae to Launch Southern Brunch

Beginning September 4, rising chef Maya Lovelace will enter her vaunted fried chicken, serious baking, and farmers market finds into Portland’s Sunday brunch ring.

07/26/2016 By Karen Brooks