Alison at Blue Bell has closed after its six-year anniversary. According to her website, Alison Barshak is now focusing on Alison two in Fort Washington (which will be honoring all Blue Bell gift certificates).

Ota-Ya has given up the ghost in Warrington, PA., though its Newtown location remains open.

After just over a year, H.I. Rib & Co. in Conshohocken has closed.

Also recently departed is Bonte, the waffle shop at 1315 Walnut Street, and Sushikazu in Blue Bell. The latter will be replaced next month by Yama, a sushi specialist from Horsham.

Haute Mex-French destination Paloma in Northeast Philly ran out of gas a month before its 10th anniversary; owners are looking for a smaller spot in Center City.

Bertolini's, the almost 15-year-old Italian in King of Prussia, has closed as its parent company, Morton's, weathers the economic storm.

Meanwhile, Margot, the two-year-old Narberth Eclectic, has also given up the ghost.

After 17 years, Restaurant Taquet in the Wayne Hotel is fini. Chef-owner Jean-Francois Taquet says he is seeking a new location.

Tangerine, Stephen Starr's Moorish fantasy in Old City, has turned out the candles after nearly 10 years. Its catering division is still up and running, however, and the space remains available for private parties. A new concept, still to be announced, will open in the space next summer.

Where some see recession, others see opportunity. Queen Village Euro Ansill and Northern Liberties' Copper Bistro have joined the growing ranks of recent closures. But the same economy that's forced some restaurateurs to close is inspiring others to enter the fray. A boomlet is expected this fall and winter. Among the entrants are Michael Schulson (izakaya in Atlantic City), who is behind a Japanese concept called Sampan, and Marc Vetri (Osteria, Vetri), who is developing a trattoria called Amís – both within three blocks in Washington Square West. Finally, Carmine’s Creole Cafe in Bryn Mawr is closing so that the current owner can reconfigure it as a Euro-Spanish tapas operation called Verdad, due late this summer.

Along with a number of its siblings in cities like Charlotte, Cincinnati, Phoenix and Seattle, the Philadelphia outpost of the Oceanaire Seafood Room in Wash West has closed as part of a Chapter 11 restructuring agreement.

After nine years, Trattoria Alberto, the old-school Italian in West Chester, closed up shop on June 13 after owner Alberto Guadagnini decided it was time to retire.

After nearly three decades, Susanna Foo has wrapped up operations at her French/Chinese landmark at 1512 Walnut St. near Rittenhouse Square. In her semi-retirement, she's working full-time at Susanna Foo's Gourmet Kitchen in Radnor – minutes from her home on suburban Philadelphia's Main Line – and plotting out a possible noodle house.

Mimosa, the five-year-old West Chester Eclectic, has closed its doors for good.

After less than a year, Joe's Peking Duck Original 1984 has given up on Old City. Owner and local fixture Joe Poon still leads his tours of Chinatown though.