You mention that /etc/postfix/recipients_access is empty, but why then do you keep it in smtpd_recipient_restrictions? And although the flat file is empty, did you postmap it to rebuild the hash (.db file) as well?
Actually, before going down that road: did the abovementioned file contain an OK for postmaster before you emptied it? -- Sahil Tandon <sa...@freebsd.org>