La Vie — Restaurant in Washington

When I first heard of this restaurant, it was right before a weekend and of course getting a desirable dinner reservation was not feasible so fast forward some time and I made a booking for a weekday for a quiet smooth experience. The boulevard where it is located is next to the Potomac with a boardwalk feel and numerous other restaurants and desserteries, with a parking garage centrally located. La Vie is in a building with other restaurants but it occupies the 5th floor exclusively. There is an attendant downstairs to direct patrons to the appropriate elevator (which has floors in decimals- a first). The waiting area is quite comfortable and decorated. The wait itself was fairly short (in fact was hoping for an extra minute or two to appreciate the artsy set up). The indoor dining of the restaurant itself is spectacular. There are several themed zones that are uniquely set apart yet smoothly come together so well. Whoever designed the place should win an interior designing award. We sat in the outdoor terrace which had a lovely garden feel with the ground and wall set-up, and a spectacular view of the water. There were automated large windows that the waiter occasionally adjusted due to wind conditions. On to the food!

The waiter was genuinely kind and his assistant was equally pleasant. The menu was comprehensive yet not too bulky- a delicate balance. For appetizer, we ordered the lamb shawarma hummus. The bread came peppered with some seasoning- something unique. The hummus itself was very nicely decorated- many ingredients splattered around in a pattern. The taste itself was fine (naturally in a Syrian restaurant hummus will be way better without the fancy set up). What stole the day for it was definitely the bread.

For the main course it was radiator lamb ragu and roasted chicken. While no complaints could be said about the two, and they came neatly set up with the right heated temperature to dive right in, the taste itself was nothing so noteworthy. A fine Italian restaurant probably has a superior flavor twist to the ragu and the chicken could have been flushed with a seasoning that left a nice aftertaste instead of a rather standard taste.

To keep the hydration going, it was citron presse first. This purple drink was a bit too sour without a meaning to the sourness. The glass set up could have been done differently like painting sugar bits round the top bit. Later on we ordered a passionate berry which came so late that they ended up not including it in the bill. It was worth the wait- the unique cinnamon feel nicely adjusted the bitter sourness of the previous drink.

For dessert it was warm sticky toffee pudding. The set up was as pretty as the appetizer set up. Each piece of the dessert was geometrically set up and the final piece was the waiter pouring the syrup on top in an elegant manner. The date cake itself could have been warmer and the taste, like the chicken dish, did not leave any distinct memory behind. They could consult a middle eastern pastry chef on how to enhance it. The other parts of the dessert such as the toffee triangle, caramel sauce and ice cream helped compensate.

Overall verdict: for the food, I would say 3/5. But because the décor and location, as well as kind service, makes it more memorable (especially arriving before sunset and seeing the feel after dark which is different) I would bump it up to 4/5. Great place for a romantic get together or treating mother and father out for a fancy meal. Oh, and something special: in the outdoor seating they have a mini coat rack set up next to each table which is rather convenient. So perhaps a...

This was my first time at La Vie. We made reservations for 6pm on a Thursday night before a show next door at The Anthem. Traffic was horrendous, so we called to push it to 6:15, and they were very accommodating.

Like other businesses at the DC Wharf, if arriving by car your only parking option is the underground garage. Beware, it’s pricey. I think it was about $30 for the 4 hours we were there, between dinner and show.

We parked near the stairs with the pretty waterfall wall and La Vie was right there on street level. It’s on the second floor, so the outdoor hostess directed us to the elevator and instructed us to select floor 4.6. That is not a typo. (I found it very Harry Potter-esque)

La Vie can boast that there are some gorgeous views from their dining room and bar area. You can see the whole marina, promenade, fancy boats and yachts and a beautiful sunset if you are there at dinner hour. At night, it’s equally stunning. Even the docks have little lights embedded in the boards!

We were seated right away along the windows. Most people were there after work in their work attire, and some were dressed up for special occasion. My friend and I were dressy casual in slacks because of the show we were seeing afterward, but we didn’t feel too out of place. It is a gorgeous dining room, with that spectacular view, so I could see how this would be a great date night or special occasion venue.

Although our waiter was a bit detained, the manager came over and helped us get started with some cocktails. I had Le Paloma, which he warned had a smoky flavor from the mezcal (and he wasn’t lying). I didn’t mind the smoke, but didn’t find the drink well-balanced against the sweet juices. My friend had the Crazy Pineapple, which was far better balanced and tasty (if you don’t mind sweet). I ordered one myself since Le Paloma didn’t suit me, but sadly they didn’t take my first drink off the check despite it remaining 3/4 full on the table.

There is no bread basket or noshing type food while you wait for your meal, so if you arrive starving you better order an appetizer. Just a word to the wise.

We ordered the beet salad to share as an appetizer, and it was delicious. Multi-color beets, a yogurt based dressing drizzled over it, walnuts, and salad greens. And a great portion for two people as an appetizer. Recommend.

My friend ordered the pork ragu, which she said was very good. She ordered a side of roasted cauliflower au gratin, which I sampled. It was good, and had some mint leaves sprinkled on top for a unique flavor. It’s a healthy portion for more than one person, so I would recommend sharing the side.

I had the steak and truffle frites with a bearnaise sauce. It almost looked like a puttanesca sauce with its orangey color, moreso than a traditional yellow bearnaise, but it had the classic tarragon flavor to it.

Sadly we had to run to our show so we skipped the coffee/dessert course (very unlike us!). Waiter was prompt with the check, and we made it to our show by 7:40 after our 6:15 seating. Not bad, timing wise.

Last tip: if you have leftovers to take home, be sure you put them in your car before going to The Anthem. My friend thought it would be ok since it was wrapped and placed in a nice handled paper bag, and we had actual seats for the show, but they told her she either had to coat check it ($5 fee), or toss it, as they don’t allow outside food. So be sure to put it in your car before you arrive at...

Reservations Not Honored by La Vie Management!

As one who enjoys fine dining and is particular about exceptional customer service, I’ve always valued transparency and fairness, both in my reviews and from the establishments I choose to patronize. It is with great regret that I must recount a recent experience with La Vie Restaurant, an establishment I once held in high regard, that has compelled me to share a less than favorable review. Three weeks ago, I made a reservation for four to celebrate my wife's birthday, a decision influenced by the some of the positive critiques and recommendations La Vie has received. This was not just a dinner; it was a celebration of a momentous day, chosen with trust and high expectations placed on La Vie based on its reputed location, ambience, and culinary excellence. Imagine our dismay when, barely 24 hours before our scheduled celebration, I received a text from a La Vie manager stating our reservation was to be altered significantly. The reason? Accommodating a larger, presumably more profitable, group. Our option: relocate to an upstairs area with a “limited menu,” a far cry from the experience we were promised and anticipated. This eleventh-hour notification did not just disrupt a carefully planned event; it blatantly disregarded the reservation we made with La Vie, and more importantly, the commitment La Vie supposedly had to us. The decision to prioritize a last-minute larger party over a reservation made weeks in advance not only undermines the integrity of your reservation system but also displays a clear lack of respect for your patrons. Being left to scramble for alternatives a day before a significant celebration was not only inconvenient but distressing. This incident reflects poorly on La Vie’s management and its purported values. A restaurant’s reputation should stand on respect for its customers as much as it does on culinary excellence. Unfortunately, this experience has marred our perception of La Vie, revealing a disregard for individual patrons and a failure to uphold basic hospitality ethics. In sharing this review, I hope to illuminate not just our disappointment but the importance of valuing each patron’s experience. It’s a harsh reminder that no matter the accolades, the true measure of a restaurant’s quality is reflected in its respect and treatment of its customers. La Vie Management team, you must do better by your patrons!

I for one, will not entrust you to any future events as you’ve demonstrated that La Vie “reservations” can be sold to a...