Karen Brooks eats, drinks and thinks about food for Portland Monthly, as the magazine's trend-spotting food critic. 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.

Eat Here Now

The Secret Thanksgiving Potluck

…and some other reasons to give thanks at Coffeehouse Northwest.

11/16/2010 By Karen Brooks

Eat Here Now

Hoop Dreams

Spirit of 77: slam dunks and flagrant fouls at Portland’s new bohemian sports bar

11/10/2010 By Karen Brooks

Article

Perfect Pies – To Go

Holiday desserts, without the performance anxiety

11/03/2010 By Karen Brooks

Food News

Wine Country Dinners

Thistle announces its 2nd Annual Guest Chef & Winemaker Dinner Series

10/27/2010 By Karen Brooks

Eat This Now

Boffo Baked Goods at Ristretto Roasters

Kim Boyce arrived in Portland this year with one of the year’s best books under her baking belt and a collection of treats ready-made for a local coffee shop.

10/27/2010 By Karen Brooks

Best Restaurants

2010 Best Restaurants: Evolution of a Revolution

Follow Portland's nationally recognized food scene as _Portland Monthly_ showcases eight of our favorite venues that represent the heart of our evolution.

10/13/2010 By Mike Thelin and Karen Brooks

Food News

Two Frankies Portland Project On Hold

An anticipated collaboration between Brookyn’s bearded restaurant wonders and Stumptown’s Duane Sorensen is off the table (for now).

10/11/2010 By Karen Brooks

Best Restaurants

Best Restaurants 2010

A handful of Portland restaurateurs have helped make local cuisine a driving force in Portland life and a magnet for the foodies of the world.

10/08/2010 By Mike Thelin and Karen Brooks

Best Restaurants

2010 Best Restaurants: The Icons

Over the past few years, a handful of Portland restaurateurs have helped make local cuisine a driving force in Portland life and a magnet for the foodies of the world. Here are eight of the eateries that are defining a movement.

10/08/2010 By Karen Brooks

Sweet Food News

New pastry Chef Lauren Fortgang Sweetens Le Pigeon

Get ready for the Choco Taco

10/06/2010 By Karen Brooks

Openings

Hiro Ikegaya to open Mirakutei

Local sushi master will open Japanese-style “tapas” joint

10/06/2010 By Karen Brooks

Chef shuffle

Pok Pok’s Andy Ricker departs Foster Burger

Asian street food guru ready to launch new Japanese drinking vinegar company

09/27/2010 By Karen Brooks

Food Cart News

Spella Caffe Coffee Cart Closing October 6; People’s Pig Moves In

Micro-roaster Andrea Spella goes full-time brick-and-mortar

09/22/2010 By Karen Brooks

Openings

Little Big Burger’s Whopper Weekend

Micah Camden’s newest restaurant draws the hungry (and curious) masses.

09/21/2010 By Karen Brooks

Food News

Kristin Murray to Paley’s Place; Lauren Fortgang to Little Bird

Pastry Chefs Shuffle: Two of Portland’s most prominent dessert makers have sweet new deals.

09/09/2010 By Karen Brooks

Food News

Beast’s Naomi Pomeroy Battles the Iron Chef

Plus: she’s in the running for a cooking show of her own.

09/02/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Become a Fan

Become a fan of Portland's home teams, from mainstream sports to more alternative arenas. Learn how to enlist in the Timbers Army from Shawn Levy, or let Beth Burns burden you with a cyclocross addiction. Best yet, become a derby devotee by following Judg

07/15/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Shop

Go shopping for some of Portland's most desired commodities: costumes, with help from Alicia J. Rose; plants, with help from Elizabeth Beekley; records, with help from Jay Martin; and fabric, with the help of Bill Crane.

07/15/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Walk-About

Go for a walk and discover Jewish deli owner Nick Zukin's favorite Latin hot spots, Kristin Kaye's favorite ways that Portland gives back to our green Earth, or Rabbi Gary Schoenberg's favorite boating businesses.

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks

63 Things Every Portlander Must Do

Must Do: Eat & Drink

Take a walk on the wild side: Justin Oswald's guide on where to get good, fresh meat in Portland. Don't like meat? How about Paige Powell's guide to going vegan? If you'd rather eat out, there's Robert More's recommendations for dining with strangers. Or

07/14/2010 By Karen Brooks