The daily digest of Twin Cities culture | Secrets of the City

Eric Austin, the talented chef behind the late, lamented Big E's Soulfood on Eat Street, has resurfaced in South Saint Paul with a new upscale restaurant, the Bourbon Street Steakhouse, in the dining space formerly occupied by TreVina Italian Steak House. It's a more suitable venue for fine dining than the little storefront on Eat Street, and Austin is now able to offer cocktails and a wine and beer selection to go with his cuisine.

It's a scene enough to bring tears to a restaurant owner's eyes. As we dined Friday night at the new Favor Café (the former Restaurant Miami), 913 W. Lake St., one party after another walked in the door - mostly young women dressed for a night of partying. Some of them sat down at tables, while others headed straight for the bar. And each time, the owner or a waiter had to inform them that, even though there was a well-stocked bar in plain sight, they could not order a drink - the restaurant is still waiting for its liquor license. (Our