In today’s Metro, The Bite highlights some spots that are doing something special for Inauguration Day.

‘Obama-tinis’ and more toast Inauguration Day [Metro Philadelphia]

Craig LaBan pounds Chima’s oversalted, over-cooked all you can eat Brazilian meats.

The garlic-rubbed top sirloin, meanwhile, was embalmed in a puree of allium so thick it sizzled like pungent white foam on the meat and curled my nose hairs before taking a bite. When we did, it was so wrong all four of us at the table spit it out simultaneously – including a neighbor who eats raw garlic daily for pleasure. This was the single worst morsel of food I’ve tried to eat all year.

No Bells

Chima [Philadelphia Inquirer]
Chima [Official Site]

Is it the magic of technology or are we inside of Craig LaBan’s head? Either way we’re sure Brazilian steakhouse Chima is not going to be pleased with their No Bell review.

This link in a Brazilian steak-house chain offers skewer after skewer of oversalted, overcooked meat.

How do you say ouch in Portuguese?

Chima [Philadelphia Inquirer]

Chima, the Brazilian steakhouse at 20th and JFK opens this evening. Sign up for their Preferred Diner program and get a Two for One Dinner coupon, that’s a $48.50 value.

Forgive us for sounding a little bit like Crazy Eddie here, but starting today, it’s pure restaurant opening madness! Madness we tell you! You can always check our regularly updated Openings feature, but we’ve highlighted the following few days of anticipated openings for you after the jump…

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Today The Bite takes a look at a few of the higher end restaurants looking to open this May in Philadelphia and also highlights the new dessert lounge menu at Bonte.
May Means New Dining Options [Metro Philadelphia]

The Peacock on the Parkway is getting a new name and concept. The folk behind Uzu are branding the spot Kujaku, Japanese for peacock. When they open early next week the Kobe burger will be $5 off for a limited time. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Hadar Nisimi of Aden fame is set to resurface with a new restaurant on North 2nd featuring Mediterranean, French and Greek cuisine. [Food & Drinq]

Kristian Leuzzi whose family is behind Kristian’s at 11th and Federal is overhauling the old Passyunk Tavern at Passyunk and Moore. Stogey Joe’s will be the name of the bar that still aims to be a neighborhood place. [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Looks like Konstantinos Pitsilliades of the former Mezze is going to be opening a Washington West BYOB at 10th and Spruce. The concept will be an “amalgam of Greek, Turkish, French and Italian.” [Food & Drinq]

Sawdust Report: We got a quick glance inside the expansion area of Tinto where work is progressing. The wine rack lattice work is partially up. The expanded area is expected to open in February. And the biggest sign of progress to date at the Brazilian Chima on JFK Boulevard has been spotted where they’ve taken some jackhammers to the East German inspired facade of the Kennedy House to create a new entranceway.

The bar and lounge Knock at 12th and Locust has had a soft opening and look for Jose Pistolas to open next Wednesday. [Table Talk, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Swallow on Liberties Walk is now looking at a post Labor Day opening rather than late August. The interior “will be an homage to a Parisian brothel, a nod to Northern Liberties’ history as a red-light district.” [Feeding Frenzy, City Paper]

Wolfgang’s Steakhouse out of New York is in talking about opening a Philadelphia outpost at 2040 Market St., the former headquarters of AAA. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Chima, the Brazilian steakhouse that was announced just about the same time as Fogo de Chao is talking about opening its 20th and JFK location in “the first trimester of 2008.” [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirer]

Starting Wednesday, September 5th Shank’s & Evelyn’s will be open for dinner. “Expect to see a full menu of traditional Italian fare, from veal marsala to fettucine alfredo, with a hefty selection of chef’s specialties thrown in.” [Eat Beat, Philadelphia Weekly]

Famous 4th Street Deli is closed through the weekend as there has been a management shakeup. Expect to see more movers and shakers at the Palm for the week. [Inqlings, Philadelphia Inquirerer]

Today we look at how some places planned for Center City West are coming along.

Jose Pistolas will be a California burrito spot and bar next to McGlinchey’s.

More after the jump.

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Today we look at the brown paper covering the progress at five more restaurants that are hoping to open soon.

Tinto is going to be Jose Garces’ next restaurant. Across from Capogiro Gelato at 20th and Sansom, Garces’ next spot will be a smaller venue than Amada, and will focus on the small plate cuisine of the Basque region of Spain.

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