Whoever runs the gaucho costume concession in town is looking at some serious business.
Chima, the Brazilian-by-way-of-Fort Lauderdale steakhouse coming to the Kennedy House (20th and JFK side), is looking to debut May 27. Here's a rendering of the exterior. Say it "shee-ma."
The high-arching churrasco concept is similar to that of Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian-by-way-of-Dallas chain that opened in late 2006 in the former Caldwell's space on Chestnut Street at Juniper. The restaurants are built around a huge salad bar and strolling gaucho-outfitted waiters bearing cuts of meat.
Differences: At Fogo, patrons are given discs that are red on one side and green on the other. When the card is green, gauchos will approach with meats. When patrons are full, they turn the card to red. At Chima, the "go" side of the card is orange and the não mais side is black. Fogo advertises 15 varieties of meats, while Chima claims 16.
Prices will be comparable. Fogo charges $48.50 for dinner ($29.50 for lunch), and Chima is looking at $48.50 for dinner as well. Chima will be dinner-only in the early going.