With all the talk of a coming restaurant closing apocalypse, we'd been expecting to write mass obituaries for dead eateries. Oddly, however, the only such death we can report right now is that of the Papaya Japán Étterem, which seems to have vacated its obscure basement location on Képíró utca in District V without leaving a forward address. While we never did a proper writeup of the place, we did go, and did like it. As did some commenters over on the restaurant's (now defunct) entry page in the restaurant section of Caboodle.hu. Here's what "Scott" had to say back in the summer of '97:

This is the first sushi bar in town that I would consider good quality. The chef clearly knows how to select good fish and how to store it properly. The sashimi simply melts in your mouth. He also has some innovative rolls blending the concept of tempura and sushi. Very cool.

As for what is behind the seemingly low mortality rate among BP eateries, it's hard to say. But we did just get off the phone with a person in the business of supplying local restaurants - actual reporting! - and he said that he also was surprised at the lack of casualties, which he chalked up to a slightly better-than-expected spring tourist season, as well as some successful belt-tightening.

Nevertheless we are pretty sure there are more deaths to come, and probably more that we haven't noticed. If you know of any places that have recently bought the farm, or are looking like they are circling the drain, let us know in the comments below.