Institutional knowledge is crucial for savvy wedding planners. They need to know the people - and places - that make a perfect wedding day. Recently a select group of consultants enjoyed an interactive dining experience at Chima Brazilian Steakhouse in Tysons Corner, courtesy of Private Events Manager Christina Mohr. I had the pleasure of joining Christina and the planners for food and festivity.

The restaurant is named after chimarrao, a traditional drink that symbolizes hospitality and friendship. To start our evening, Christina offered us a choice of that signature drink or one of Chima's fine wines. If you enjoy wine, you will love the ITouch menu Chima provides for selecting your choice - you can filter by country, type, price and find just the right libation.

After cocktails, we made our way to what seemed like a mile long salad bar, loaded with lots and lots of fresh vegetables. There were also accompanying Brazilian side dishes, as well as soup. But don't fill up on the greens, for the best is yet to come!

Legend has it, in South Brazil traditional gauchos (cowboys), known for their generosity and hospitality, would consume a diet that consisted almost entirely of beef. The meat was seasoned, placed on skewers, and slow cooked over a wood burning flame. 

And this is how Chima serves the main course - 16 selections of beef, chicken and poultry are offered on a rotating basis by the gouchos. For those who enjoy seafood, the restaurant also offers swordfish and salmon. Need to take a break between courses? No worries - just flip your Chima card over, digest, and then flip it back to carry on the dining experience.

No meal is complete unless there is dessert and coffee. We were served, family style, a selection that included cheesecake, tiramisu, and key lime pie. In a typical dining experience, guests break out the ITouch provided by the server to see all the desserts, after dinner drinks, and coffee selections. 

Chima is a wonderful location for a fun rehearsal dinner. It features two private dining rooms, a terrific bar that leads to a seasonal patio - and the entire restaurant is available for daytime weddings. To learn more about Chima, contact Christina at 703.639.3080 or email her.