great time celebrating my bday here! wharf parking is brutal. use spothero to find something cheaper nearby. 10-15 min walk from 2 metro stops. we requested to be seated outside/on the upstairs covered patio and they complied. amazing view of the water!!! we had a party of 10 and they needed 6 of us there to be seated - they didn't mind that it took nearly 20 min to do so! we ordered a la carte. service was great & they made it feel special! everyone enjoyed their food but i wish the desayuno tacos had a bit ... more. classic brunch bevs $10-15 each - mimosa, bellini, bloody mary, etc. they gave a free brownie with sparkler for bday :) a great place for a group with a fun vibe and something for everyone! read more

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Came here a handful of times for tacos and recommend sitting on the balcony (you need to request it!). For the food - recommend all the tacos - steak especially - 4 to 5 per person with a side of their cheesy corn. The appetizers are OK and on the smaller side. I would recommend ordering more sides or 3 entrees. The branzino was nothing unique - on the smaller side and probably wouldn't order again. The crab enchiladas are solid! For wine - recommend a bottle of the LOS VASCOS, 'CROMAS GRAN RESERVA', CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, VALLE DE COLCHAGUA, CH. It is the heaviest bodied wine on the menu. Interior is gorgeous - feels like an artistic jungle. We love this place. Service is always good! read more

Happy hour menu at the bar is very reasonable. The service was efficient. They have nice indoor and outdoor seating. Would not recommend the churros. read more

Mi Vida - Happy hour menu - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Mi Vida's vividly orange colored sign (and equally vivid website) is the first indication that you and your companion(s) are about to embark on a journey that is reminiscent of the best of Mexico City. The imposing wooden double front doors were so grandiose and heavy that they reminded me of church doors. Once inside your senses will be soothed and assaulted at the same time by tranquil lighting but hustle and bustle of the crowd. The cocktail flight is outstanding. Well-balanced drinks, some with a spicy kick to counter the sweet. I can just enjoy this with their house-made tortilla chips and smoky fire-roasted tomato salsa. Spicy but just enough to sing not singe (that is a great line, if I do say so myself). My favorite dishes are actually the sides. The deconstructed elote (off the cob and in a bowl) is so good and less messy than the original. The black beans and rice are superbly savory and hearty. You will want another dish of them to bring home. I am not usually a fan of plantains outside of my Caribbean spots, but Mi Vida is staking a claim that their version should be in a conversation (Mexico borders the Caribbean Sea). I love the service, the value proposition, and the waterfront location of this truly beautiful restaurant. Five stars well earned. read more

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Taking a stroll by the ward in DC. Come inside Mi Vida for some great food and service. When you come in, there is a small bar on the right. We made reservations to make sure we would get a table right before a concert. We got the carne (asada) tacos ($21 for 3), the mole enchiladas ($23), fried plains, sweet potato fries and a margarita. Everything was fantastic. Would definitely recommend this place. You can sit inside, which can be a little tight, or outside, which can be hot in the middle of summer. Try this place, you won't regret it. read more

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My first time at this restaurant. This was a great restaurant located at The Wharf. We were seated us upstairs, which was nice because we were away from most of the other tables. There was a "secret" elevator, but that required a special key or badge and wasn't open to customers. Our server, Octavio was efficient in taking the orders and taking payments, but otherwise the communication was minimal. The food came out very fast (at least seemed like it was fast!). They tag on 20% gratuity (and suggest additional tip amounts) and don't separate checks for larger parties. The decoration throughout the restaurant as well as the lighting set the mood. The bathroom itself looked very cool with the walls and lighting. They provided chips with guacamole and salsa. I shared the Enchiladas de Mole Negro with someone as the portions were so large (3 enchiladas). It was delicious, although the tortilla was a little tough to cut through. From what I heard, the other dishes were tasty as well. The dessert was okay...nothing to really brag about. The prices were high, as is expected being that this is at the Wharf. There was a paid parking garage and paid parallel parking available around the corner. Would I return? Most likely not, only because I rarely go to DC. read more

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Place is cute and outdoor seating isn't bad even in summer. Service is good server was friendly. He paid attention to my flowers and asked was it a special occasion which it was my anniversary. He brought out sparkler and brownie. The brownie was a tad hard. But the enchiladas suzias 5/5 tasty, saucy, and the contrast from the white sauce with red inside was good. read more

Mi Vida - Enchiladas Suizas - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I usually prefer independent restaurants over chain ones, but my friend wanted to check out Mi Vida one night out on the wharf. We sat at the bar and our bartender, kevin had great suggestions for drinks. Margaritas is a must especially at this restaurant, if you prefer sweetness in your drinks I recommend the watermelon margarita. Their empanadas are definitely the best food item on the menu. It has a hint of spiciness and comes with a mango salsa dip which was also spicy. Unable to give 5 stars because the street style tacos could use for flavors, and they don't offer mix-match taco option on the menu so if you wanted to try the different kinds you would have to order them separately read more

Mi Vida - Crab and shrimp empanadas and popcorn shrimp tacos - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Food: I came to Mi Vida for dinner and enjoyed my time here! I ordered the Picadillo / Vegan "Beef" Picadillo Empanda, which came with Avocado-Chipotle Salsa. I also got a side of plantains and a delicious mocktail. I couldn't tell that the empanada was vegan at all; it was so flavorful and filling! I recommend this if you're looking for a healthier alternative to the traditional beef empanada. Service: The service was great! I arrived a little bit earlier and left a little later than my friend, and the restaurant accommodated me by letting me sit at my table and wait for the rest of my party. read more

Mi Vida - Outside Restaurant - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Had a reservation for 9:15 and wasn't seated until 10:00. Server was super rude and didn't even tell us his name. Food was good, but not at the cost of the experience we had. We sat outside and they opened the door and the screen after we talked to the server and management and complained that we were cold. There are many other amazing mexican restaurants in the area; I'd recommend going there other than here. read more

Worst birthday dinner. I chose Mi Vida to celebrate, but the experience was unacceptable. The service was terrible and the food was dry and flavorless. My husband clearly told our server twice that he has a severe nut allergy, yet I was still served a birthday dessert with nuts. My husband ate it and had to be rushed to the hospital due to anaphylaxis. The server and manager, Jose, did not apologize and instead blamed us, claiming we never mentioned the allergy--despite all five people at our table hearing us say it. There was zero empathy, accountability, or compensation. Our night ended early and we won't be back. read more

Great atmosphere, warm staff and unique menu twist! I sat outside on the patio, it's a great area to sit. read more

Mi Vida - Salmón with sweet potato mash, chips, salsa and Guacamole. In the back is my friend's ceviche and Brussels sprouts. - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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The food was definitely the highlight. The queso fundido never disappoints -- creamy, rich, and perfectly consistent every time. We were a bit let down by the wings, though: they removed the mango sauce we loved, and the portion is quite small (only three per order). For the mains, we tried the carne asada and the burger with sweet potato fries -- both were absolutely delicious and felt thoughtfully prepared. Overall, I'd rate the food itself a solid 4/5. Unfortunately, the service left us disappointed. When our server approached, she only said "Hi," which led to an awkward silence before we jumped in to place our order. She didn't ask us anything or guide us through the menu, and it felt like she was caught off guard that we were even there. Then after we ordered she told us the we should read the menu again because everything changed (is not like if we asked for something that was off menu) I just ask for a classic drink that is made often even if not on the menu. Meanwhile, we noticed other tables around us were greeted warmly and offered more guidance, which made the difference even more noticeable and set an odd tone for our meal. We will come back because of the food. read more

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Early Saturday night dinner before a show at Arena Stage. We had reservations, while the crowd was steady there was plenty of availability (or at least it seemed like it). Service was excellent, our guacamole was served faster than we could order it. La frozen margarita was delicious and worthy of another visit when it's warm enough to sit on the patio. The tacos de pollo were filling and delicious. This might be my favorite pre-show dinner spot in the Wharf. I love all the butterflies on the walls, so pretty and peaceful. read more

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Great service, very friendly staff. We ordered the skewers as an app and they were loaded with flavor (sour cream, avocado cream, cheese, and a spicy sauce). The birria plate was very tender, could have used some more onions though and the corn tortillas were nice and thick and soft. All of the food was pretty spicy, whi,h I loved, but my wife had a few overheating moments. I would go back for sure. read more

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The food was absolutely amazing. Servers were very attentive and kind. The vibe in the restaurant was upscale and classy, but also chill. Won't forget how good their enchiladas were! A little on the pricey side, but you get a lot of food for your money. read more

Great service! Can put yourself on the wait list and explore three Wharf. Food was delicious. Coming from TX, I was afraid of the salsa not having enough flavor since most places tend to make Pico de gallo more than flavored salsa but that was one of our favorite things here - nice kick, perfect with all of our dishes. We sat upstairs and if the weather was nice, it'd be a great patio! Would love to come back again next time we're in DC read more

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Mi Vida is a Mexican Restaurant at the Wharf. We dined outside. The weather was so beautiful. It was my 1st time. It won't be my last. Our Server was so courteous and friendly. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to my family and friends if you love Mexican food it was so delicious. My favorite dish was the: Pollo- Grilled chicken, cheese, sour cream, and salsa roja. read more

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On a nice evening, me and my wife came to Mi Vida to soak in the good vibes, enjoy the waterfront, and have some fun. We ended up at Mi Vida, it was actually our second time dining there. We had a wonderful meal, we both had carne asada, ceviche, esquites and their tres leches cake. The drink selection is also very nice, there's something for everyone and you can even make the margaritas "Skinny". The service was great, staff was kind and attentive. I would definitely return & recommend! read more

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We stopped in for taco Tuesday & happy hour. Sat in the bar area at a little high top booth. It was comfy. Our server was kind and attentive. We ordered solely off of the happy hour menu since the deals were great! Their guacamole is amazing! You can tell it's fresh and it was perfectly seasoned with their yummy chips. We tried two tacos- the fish and the pork. The pork to me was a little fatty but flavor was good. I LOVED the fish one. It had a huge piece of fish with this delicious spicy sauce on it. My marg was pretty good- fresh. I would dine here again during happy hour! This place would be fun for a date night or going out with a group as it has LOTS of seating! read more

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Came here for happy hour so can't comment on the food, but the cocktails were great! Service was good and the ambiance was beautiful-- definitely want to come back to try out the food next time! read more

Mi Vida - Vibe - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I honestly had a much better experience at the Wharf location compared to the other Mi Vida in the heart of DC. The worst part about this area is how challenging the parking is, but once you actually get into the restaurant, the ambiance is lovely. My only complaint was how loud it was during a busy evening - I struggled to hear my company across the table. The food was delicious and service was great. Overpriced, as is normal these days for most restaurants at the Wharf and much of DC, but overall the food is tasty. Pending what you order, some portion sizes are better than others. Given the price isn't cheap, I would recommend asking your server for menu items that make it worth the price you're paying. read more

Have been here for two workday lunches with coworkers and I was pleasantly surprised given that it is at the Wharf, which I associate with tourist traps. It is a little pricey for Mexican food but when you compare it to other places in close proximity and to restaurants in DC in general, nothing shocking. Portions and food quality are decent and I would consider this to be somehwhat elevated. I think it is comparable to what Buena Vida in Clarendon is trying to do but better. Also comparable to Cielo Rojo in Takoma Park but maybe a little more americanized and with bigger portions for the same price point. I can't comment on alcohol bc these were working lunches but I had a cantaloupe Agua Fresca that was quite nice. Shrimp tacos, guacamole and plantains are all pretty solid. Portions don't look huge when they come out but the food is hardy and fresh so it fills you up without necessitating ginormous portions. The restaurant is beautiful if a little on the nose (Cielo Rojo is a bit more vibey). Service is generally pretty good here, too. All in all if you are at the Wharf I would recommend this over other places in the same area, which have mostly either been really disappointing food-wise or incredibly overpriced for their portions. Is it a place to go out of your way for if you're not already in the area or in one of the many nearby neighborhoods that has literally no restaurants? Not unless you really want the option to walk around by the river or something afterwards. But it serves its purpose effectively for people looking to fine at the Wharf or who work in SW and need somewhere to eat. read more

I sat at the bar and the bartender Pedro was awesome, very attentive, friendly and gave helpful recommendations. He made my drinks quick and checked on me often, making sure I had everything I needed and promptly. desserts are good and big portions read more

Mi Vida - My Lifeti The food was delicious and felt authentic. The drink was also good and savory. Will recommend the place The ambiance is also pretty good and the service is decent as well. read more

Food was 4/10. Service 10/10 Drinks 2/10 I spent $200 for two people for my boyfriend's bday. We ordered the margarita drink flight, all of which were horribly watered down and lacked flavor and alcohol content ($55). Then ordered the family share platter, extremely small portions, all dishes brought out lacked flavor and were cold on top of it. The shrimp appetizer was still frozen... enchiladas were flavorless, carne asada was okay maybe 5/10 but lacked seasoning. Even the rice and beans were poorly made. Our server was awesome though! I just highly do not recommend eating here and spending your money here. Crazy expensive and the food was extremely mid. I'm white and can make better dishes than this. Ambience I booked a reservation for my boyfriend's bday and they sat us second floor with a nice view. read more

Mi Vida - Flight (left) Queso fundido (4/10) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The crab queso is delicious and the fajitas are definitely enough for two people, but the chicken was well seasoned, moist and full of flavor read more

Four of us came here for an early dinner after finding out that the restaurant we originally intended to eat at was closed for the day. The first thing I noticed about Mi Vida is the huge space that it occupies. There are two floors of seating with each one including a bar area and outdoor patio. We were immediately seated upstairs at a table that had a direct view of the water. Their menu has a few core sections between Appetizers, Snacks, Mains and Tacos. I was a little surprised to find out that the Mains do not include any side items on the plate; you need to purchase them a la carte. That said, each of us opted for one of the taco options. Since the carne asada and pescado tacos were the same price, I was hoping to mix and match, but our waitress unfortunately said they wouldn't allow it. + PESCADO TACOS ($21): Lightly fried Cod was topped with a cabbage slaw, avocado salsa and Mexican tartar sauce. The fish was perfectly flaky on the inside with a crispy golden exterior, although the pieces themselves were smaller than expected. The crunchy slaw added some acidity and the tartar sauce tasted similar to a chipotle crema. I barely noticed the avocado salsa and wished there was more of it. + CARNE TACOS ($21): Cubes of marinated skirt steak came sprinkled with white onion and cilantro, served with a cup of red salsa on the side. The beef itself was a little on the dry side and the salsa was necessary to really liven up the flavor. I would unfortunately consider these subpar for what I'd expect given the price. All tacos are served with a small serving of black beans. The overall consensus was that our meals were okay, but I'm sure you could find much more authentic tacos elsewhere for a more reasonable price. Given Mi Vida's location at The Wharf and knowing that it's an upscale Mexican restaurant, we weren't surprised about the pricing, but we just didn't consider the tacos worth the value. If I went back, I'd probably order off of the Mains section of the menu since it includes some unique options that appear to be signature to the restaurant. From a service standpoint, the waitstaff was friendly and attentive. Our waitress kept our waters full and was quick to clear any empty plates. read more

Mi Vida - Pescado Tacos ($21) - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

I went to Mi Vida and ordered the Enchiladas de Mole Negro. The mole (which means sauce) had just the right balance: not too sweet and rich. It didn't overpower the dish, just brought everything together. The white sauce (which I wasn't sure what it was, sour cream?) mixed well with the mole sauce. They served it with Mexican Coke, which was a nice touch. I kind of wish they just gave regular Coke so you could get a refill. One bottle goes quick with a meal that good. The staff was super nice and knew the menu well. It wasn't one waiter/waitress to a table so you could ask whoever for anything you need. Overall, probably wouldn't be back regularly just because it cost a bit much but would come again. read more

Mi Vida - Enchiladas de Mole Negro - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The atmosphere is both dramatic and comfortable. I got a meh mocktail (agave Fresca) but the unsweetened iced tea was flavorful with a hint of fruitiness. The Aguachile de Atun was epic: mini cubes of sushi grade tuna in a cooled habanero hack fruit beet sauce, several evocative medium spicy layers of flavor in this one dish. I appreciated the attentive waiter explaining a bit about this dish beforehand. The ensalada verde was fresh tasting, but next time I'll choose to add chicken to it. The mushroom empanada were mellow and nourishing if not as memorable as the other dishes. Such a sweet, patient waiter for our table we tipped twice! I will be back soon and will reorder the aguachile and save room for the espresso flan! read more

I went with my friends after a great evening on the wharf and was absolutely disappointed. To begin the service was less than desirable. It took a while for us to be helped and even longer to receive our orders. The waiter was not very friendly and even made a a snide remark when it was time to receive the bill. The food itself was less than appealing lacking flavor and depth for the price point. The only point is for the ambiance. It is a very nicely lit and decorated restaurant but beyond that, there are much better options in the area. read more

A synergy of excellence. Mi Vida combines a Spanish but gothic interior with low lighting and some delicious eats and cocktails, ensuring we would return to our hotel room full and satisfied. Nestled in the vibrant Wharf district of DC, Mi Vida offers delightful indoor and outdoor seating. We sat outdoors and had great views of the Wharf and the people walking past the Anthem, which was next door to Mi Vida. We enjoyed libations such as the Mi Cheri and the Mez-Skull -- the latter was served in a skull that my wife ordered, which gave me drink envy. Therefore, my next drink was the latter. For dinner, we enjoyed an appetizer of the Queso Fundido, which was incredibly tasty but filling to the point we couldn't finish the Budin de Elote, Chamoro, and Birria we ordered with the freshly made corn tortillas. I would probably just focus on the entrees next time when we return to DC, but this place is class and the dishes are rich, savory, and magical. read more

This was a cute restaurant to visit. It's located at the wharf - water front. It's very inviting inside even with the dem lights which I loved. The drinks are very good, LOTS of drink options and put together very well. Our server was very attentive and answered any questions we had. I had the crab and shrimp empanadas, my friend had the guacamole both were good. I also had the chicken mole quesadillas and my friend had the carne asada. I added lettuce and crema to my quesadilla and took some of my friends peppers and they were sooo good. I also had the sorbet and while it looks regular it was sooooooo rich and tasted amazing. read more

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I admit that when I try some Mexican restaurants I am very pessimistic after living in Southern California and Texas. This is especially new when it comes to new modern Mexican cuisine. I don't mind trying anything new at all but when you get a taste for something and someone puts their own spin on it you might not know exactly what that item is being spun into. Mi Vida has a slight twist on various items that you would commonly see in many Mexican restaurants but nothing so far out there if you have a less than adventurous eater in your group. Mi Vida is located in the Warf (has other DC locations) near a plethora of eateries. Reservations are suggested and I had them but on this day we went it was not needed. The good thing is that Mi Vida takes part in app called Inkind. If you sign up for it you can get a $25 discount on your initial visit as long as you spend $75 which is no issue if two are dining. I will say that if you decide to go and order from the happy hour menu (MON-FRI 11:30AM-6PM) you might be challenged to hit that $75 mark but I am sure many of you will accept the challenge with the many cocktails they have on the hh menu. I went with the nachos and I am a fan of nachos. The tatanachos are a good portion of nachos and has a good mixture of toppings so you are not getting more of one thing over the other. Many places like to load up on ingredients that we do not want or try to use certain ingredients to cover up the lack of other ingredients. We also went with the Alitas Adobadas which is Spanish for marinated chicken wings. Informative and educational is what I try to shoot for in my reviews. The wings alone are good but comes with an avocado mousse dip which is not bad but I thought it was not needed for dipping. My main entrée was the enchiladas suizas and if you are lactose intolerant this might not be the best for you. I was warned by the server that it is a bit tangy but I enjoyed it and the chicken was very tender. Often times you have enchiladas and the chicken is cooked in a way that you pull all the chicken out when cutting through. No issue here as it was tender and easy to cut through. It was a toss-up between this and the enchiladas with mole. I can see the mole dish on my next visit here. Good first experience here and the drinks were nicely made to sip. If you are a fan of mezcal then the drink menu will be a cornucopia of likes for you. Definitely worth a try in my opinion and great customer service. read more

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Great spot for intimate dates. Service was frequent and the waiter was attentive and came to the table frequently to check up on us. Came here for dinner and tried the carne asada and salmon dishes. Both were delicious. read more

Mi Vida - Salmon - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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WOW phenomenal food!!! We came here for restaurant week which was quite the deal. Their empanadas were a spectacular appetizer, can't recommend it enough. Their guac is a generous serving, would've been enough for 4 people! Entrees: you HAVE to get the enchiladas suizas rojas. I have never been so in love with a plate of enchiladas. They are seriously so well done. Even the rice and beans that came with our pork dish were phenomenal. High quality and great sticky rice. Dessert: the flan de espresso almost sent me into another realm. We need to get rid of birthday cake and serve this bad boy with candles. They really hit it out of the park with this one. The citrus tres leches was also incredible. So light and moist and the perfect touches of fruity flavor. They plate everything so phenomenal that you really get the experience you pay for. Beautiful restaurant interior with plenty of seating though you should make reservations as it gets busy. Wonderful staff that is very attentive and helpful read more

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Service was great! Ordered Barrira, street corn and guac. The meat was rich with taste and well cooked. The corn also came out amazing. The guacamole had a little heat, and that's good. Where it missed the mark was taste, needs lime and salt and then this would have been a five star visit. read more

Being from California where the Mexican food is unmatched, Mi Vida exceeded all expectations. The food is beyond authentic and you can really taste it. Jose Luis was the best server who explained the significance of each dish, as well as where the ingredients were coming from. You can tell he really loves this restaurant and maintaining the authenticity. 100% recommend to anyone in DC and honestly, Mi Vida is better than CA Mexican food. read more

Mi Vida - Tatanachos Queso fundido Equites - Mexican Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

So much positive to say about this place! This was probably one of the best restaurants I have eaten at! The setting/mood was about perfect. It would have been good for a romantic dinner and it was accepting for my wife and I who had been out touring the City. The waiter was extremely helpful, friendly and polite. I wanted to order more salsa because it was amazing! He let me know my food was about to be out and he didn't want me to spend the money on more salsa unless I absolutely wanted to. Literally, a minute or two later our food was served. I could barely finish my food so ordering salsa would have been an unnecessary cost. He was very helpful with my wife to find her a drink that wasn't cold, as she was trying to warm up from being outside. He also was not pushy when it came time to offer dessert, more drinks or the ticket. The food was literally amazing! Everything!! My wife ordered the Chicken Fajitas and I ordered the Enchiladas De Mole Negro with a side of Arroz and Frijoles. I did not quite finish all my rice and beans. My wife hates refried beans but absolutely loved these! The only negative thing about this experience, outside of the restaurant's control, was the road in front of the restaurant being blocked by police. The hockey team was playing at home an law enforcement were blocking the streets with emergency lights on. The lights and reflection carried into the restaurant which took away from the setting. read more

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Mia Vida is in a splendid location along the wharf. We made reservations which allowed us to get window seating with a beautiful view of the water. The food was above average in price but you got what you laid for. My wife ordered the enchiladas and i ordered the pork shank. Both were delicious. For dessert we ordered the flan which was much smaller than I expected. Our total with one beer ended up being $120 with tip. They were very accommodating for some of the food mishaps and overall provided great service. Would recommend at least once! read more

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