The recent rat scandal has led to dozens of restaurant closings in New York City, some forced and some voluntary.

When corks pop, balls drop and peals of celebration welcome the arrival of 2005, the sound of one restaurant closing may seem insignificant.

After a series of restaurant closings by the city's health department, the amateur video raised new concerns about sanitation practices in restaurant kitchens.

LEAD: The Diner's Journal column in Weekend yesterday included an erroneous report of a restaurant closing.

By the 1960s, many of the Chinese residents moved out of the area until its ultimate decline and disappearance in 2006 with the last restaurant closing.

But restaurant owners said there is no ignoring the spike in restaurant closings since the rat tape was broadcast.

Grades are regularly updated, and a list of restaurant closings is posted on the Internet.

Both denied a published report that with the restaurant closing, they planned to divorce.

"It's not just a restaurant closing; it's part of people's heritage," he said.

AT a time when restaurant closings seem to be a fact of business life, it is refreshing to see a new restaurant succeed.