Newsletter: Counter: Fire in the kitchen, on purpose -- and not

It's been a week of openings, almost openings, and closings — one of them not by choice. Rocio Camacho's Sun Valley restaurant was heavily damaged by arson last weekend, a stunning blow to a veteran chef whose moles many of us still dream about. We'll keep you posted as soon as we hear more news, but in the meantime, she'll be cooking at her other restaurant, Rocio's Mexican Kitchen, in Bell Gardens. It's probably a good time to show support for her — and get some excellent mole in the process. 

In less depressing news, Russ Parsons checks out the newly revamped Clifton's Cafeteria, where Jason Fullilove has been reworking old recipes. S. Irene Virbila drinks a lot of wine at Ink. And Jenn Harris finds fancy kids' meals at Bouchon — and a downtown lunch menu that will set you back considerably less than Thomas Keller's meals.

Planning your Labor Day weekend eating? Please join Jonathan Gold at the Los Angeles Times' The Taste at Paramount Pictures Studios, where he'll be hosting Flavors of L.A. on Sunday, Sept. 6. For more information, please click here.

And be on the lookout for Wednesday's In the Kitchen newsletter, with cooking tips and news, including new recipes from the L.A. Times Test Kitchen.

—Amy Scattergood

What you'll be ordering at Clifton's Cafeteria

Russ Parsons visits with chef Jason Fullilove, the new chef at the newly revamped Clifton's — which is finally reopening in September. There's been a massive make-over (five stories of cafeterias! A giant fake redwood tree!), and Fullilove has been having fun playing with the original Clifton’s recipes he discovered in a set of file drawers.

A giant fake redwood tree sprouts from the ground floor up four stories.

(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)

Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times

Thomas Keller cooks kids' food

Keller has just launched a fancy kids' menu at Bouchon, in what may be the most expensive kids' meal in L.A. Well, why not — if you're hanging out in Beverly Hills with your hungry kids, chicken paillard with French fries or a croque monsieur may be just the thing. Jenn Harris gives the details on the dishes — including salmon and spinach — and their price. 

A salmon dish at Bouchon in Beverly Hills. The restaurant has launched a new kids’ menu with a version of the salmon dish, with spinach, for children 12 and younger.

(Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times)

Cheryl A. Guerrero / Los Angeles Times

Arson damages Rocio's Mole de los Dioses 

An arsonist set fire to Rocio’s Mole de los Dioses in Sun Valley last weekend, Daina Solomon reports, gutting chef Rocio Camacho's mole-intensive restaurant. There had been break-ins several times of late, but fire investigators didn't have any suspects. Camacho and her team are trying to salvage what they can and are considering opening a truck in the meantime. 

A portrait of chef Rocio Camacho was smeared with smoke after a fire gutted her Sun Valley restaurant, Rocio’s Mole de los Dioses.

(Rocio’s Mole de los Dioses)

Rocio's Mole de los Dioses

How to order wine like a pro at Ink

S. Irene Virbila checks out the wine list at Ink, Michael Voltaggio's West Hollywood restaurant. As you might expect from an innovative restaurant, the wines aren't boring — wine director and somm Will Mountford has bottles from Croatia, Lebanon and South Africa, as well as, yes, wines from California and France. 

Diners enjoy dinner at Ink, chef Michael Voltaggio’s West Hollywood restaurant. And there’s a lot of great wines to go with his innovative cooking.

(Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)

Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times

Patricia Zarate can make your lunch

Tabachines Cocina recently opened in downtown, with healthful Mexican food by chef Patricia Zarate — who is also the founder and chef of Homegirl Cafe and Catering, a division of Homeboy Industries. Zarate's menu may include the best lunch special in town — $16 for salad, soup, a rice or pasta, a main dish and dessert.

The fish tacos and poblano rice are part of the lunch special menu at Tabachines Cocina in downtown L.A.

(Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times)

Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times

Beer in Ktown

John Verive reports that there's a cool new craft beer bar and shop opening in Koreatown next month. Southland Beer is going in just a few blocks south of Beer Belly on Western Avenue. Look for 20 taps and bottles to-go. From former librarian Tim Sturm and his wife (and current librarian) Orchid Mazurkiewicz, Southland will share a parking lot with St. Martha. No reparking! Awesome. 

Taps at the soon-to-open Southland Beer store and bar in Koreatown.

(John Verive / For The Times)

John Verive / For The Times

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