Chima: A New Brazilian Steakhouse Opens in Philadelphia

If you're a vegetarian, you may not want to read this article. It's all about meat. Well, mostly all about meat. If you like Lorraine Bracco, it is kind of interesting too.

In a tragically sour economy, the risky restaurant business is not always the wisest plan for a healthy profit margin. Joints come and go. The latest high-end restaurant craze is the Brazilian steakhouses. The latest Brazilian steakhouse to plunk down in Philadelphia is Chima. Associated Content went to the opening, meet a few celebs, and housed so much food we've been in a protein-coma for nearly a week.

If you're going to open up a restaurant, especially one like Chima, you've got to really throw THE party of the month. Chima, located in the middle of NOWHERE, took the ruckus level up a notch by throwing an event for well-over 400 of Philadelphia's most glamorous people (re: local newscasters and B list sports figures). Nothing says "happening" like a red carpet with John Bolaris on it, right kids? (Side note: He's not as tall as you think...) But the paparazzi isn't coming just for a chance to snap a pic of Keri Lee Hacket's summer wardrobe, you've got to get some big name star to schlep into town and smile for the cameras. Enter, Lorraine Bracco.

Bracco, famous for her years on the Soprano's, is hawking her Bracco Wines. Her little vineyard was the host of Chima's splashy grand opening event. Bracco had NO time for interview questions from this little reporter, so you'll have to just imagine what kind of interaction we would have had...She missed out on some zingers and hard-balls, that she did!

After being allowed to stand 7 feet away from Ms Bracco and admire her beauty, we were ushered into Chima's massive dining area. The space is huge, and I imagine it is pretty much what would happen if you designed a 5 million dollar cafeteria. It's fancy, and elegant, but any space that holds 300 people is not going to be intimate, trendy or terribly too posh. Sorry! Clearly the had spent a lot of money to make this a destination restaurant, and I am sure it will be...but will it win any architectural awards. Nope.

After swinging through the salad/side bar, we sat down at our table and were brought both a glass of Lorraine's red and white vino. I'm a red drinker, and it wasn't terribly bad. The chardonnay was outstanding! "Great job, Lorraine!" I screamed at her from across the room.

Now at the top of this page I promised meat, and here is where I deliver. Chima, like a true Brazilian steakhouse, has gauchos running around the room with steaming skewers of beef. Each customer has a button that they may flip over to indicate the are ready to chomp down on some seared flesh. Top Sirloin? Yes, please! Baby Top Sirloin? Yes, yes yes! Carnivores will be bursting by the time they try all 15 of Chima's meats, poultry, and seafood. Our table tried ever single piece of one-living tastieness. Our top picks were the leg of lamb, the chicken breast wrapped in bacon, the pork loin with parmesan cheese, and the ribeye. Laughed away from our table was the swordfish and the salmon. NO FISH! Higher species only! We also really like Chima's Tuna Orchiette Pasta and the Shrimp salad. I think Chima also serves deserts, but after consuming four times my mass in meat, I passed on the Key Lime pie. I did catch Bracco munching on some cheesecake though..."HOW WAS IT LORRAINE? CAN YOU HEAR ME OVER YOUR SECURITY TEAM?

While waiting for our heart rate to return to a normal enough level to move. The DigPhilly team reviewed the event, the celebrities, and the meal. If you're even slightly vegan/vegetarian - stay far far away from Chima. You'll end up in tears and quit possibly be ejected from the facility. The event itself was fairly well organized for the massive throng of people that hit their doors at once. I've waited on tables, and 300 hungry Main Liners hopped up on wine is not my ideal night of service. No sir! Chima's grand opening was a cluster-fuck, but one I can forgive and enjoy for the spectacle. Now to Ms. Bracco....Great vino, but lady - Would it kill you to chat with a poor lil guy from an upstart website? Please?

http://www.braccowines.com/

http://www.chima.cc/
Chima
1901 JFK Boulevard
Philadelphia PA