Proposed South End steakhouse finally finds a liquor license

Plans for an upscale steakhouse on Washington Street are back on track now that owner Brian Piccini has found another restaurant willing to sell him its liquor license.

The Boston Licensing Board votes tomorrow whether to let Piccini pay the owners of the Columbus Cafe on Columbus Avenue $280,000 for their liquor license so he can open his Boston Chops at 1375 Washington St. Piccini, who earlier opened dbar in Dorchester and Deuxave in the Back Bay, has promised "an urban, modern steakhouse concept."

In February, Piccini had told the board that if it did not have a license to give him - it didn't - he might have to just sit on the project because renovations to the old Ginger Bar space were proving too expensive. Piccini's lawyer, Joseph Hanley, told the board today that the owner of the renovated building had helped Piccini find the license.

The number of liquor licenses in Boston is limited by state law, which means restaurant owners who want to offer alcoholic beverages must often buy one - with the board's approval - on the open market. Prices can reach above $400,000 in the Back Bay.