​Yes, it's that time again. After an optimistic June, when no restaurants (that we know of) closed for good, a few did so in July:

Blue Coral Seafood & Spirits, Fashion Island, Newport Beach

Dickey's Barbecue Pit, Irvine

Baja Fresh, Anaheim Hills

Zpizza, Foothill Ranch

Tracht's, Long Beach. The official word is that "Suzanne Tracht and the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel have decided to end their business relationship.  Effective July 25, 2009, Tracht's Restaurant was replaced with The Renaissance Bar & Grill."

And another one, as blogged by Edwin today: Sushi 5 in Tustin.

And, just as we were hoping things were turning around, a report by the NPD Group this week stated that there were 4,000 fewer restaurants in the US this spring (when the last survey was carried out) compared with the previous year. Fine-dining establishments have been hardest hit, while major chains saw slight growth. For the full details, CLICK HERE.

Still, onwards and upwards!