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.

Food News

Charcuterie Wars Coming!

The owners of Chop Butchery and Nick’s Italian Café will show off their meat-curing prowess in new projects opening next spring.

12/08/2010 By Karen Brooks

Breaking Food News

Olympic Provisions Shake-Up

Jason Barwikowski departs while Clyde Common’s Alex Yoder is tapped for kitchen duty at Portland’s charcuterie haven.

12/02/2010 By Karen Brooks

Eat This Now

A Taste of Pig Heaven

Tastebud’s roasted pork comes straight from the wood fire: get it while it lasts.

12/01/2010 By Karen Brooks

Introducing

Courier Coffee Roasters

11/17/2010 By Karen Brooks

Review

Little Big Buzz

Restaurant entrepreneur Micah Camden flips the fast-food model.

11/17/2010 By Karen Brooks

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