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Long-Delayed La Vie at the Wharf Remains a Work in Progress

The main restaurant and pool bar are now scheduled to arrive in May

by Warren Rojas
A cascading waterfall is projected to flow behind La Vie’s terrace bar in the coming weeks.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

Social Restaurant Group (SRG) is now hoping to unveil the core components of sluggish Wharf restaurant La Vie by mid-May. The still-evolving venture includes the eponymous Mediterranean-style restaurant, the poolside Cabana Bar, and a private event space dubbed the Penthouse that’s already accepting reservations.

SRG, which also operates other establishments in D.C. (Provision No. 14, the Prospect) and Virginia (Bar Bao, Pamplona), is still molding its 9,800-square-foot space directly above The Anthem concert hall. That central location features four distinct zones: a main dining room that looks out onto District Pier and has a dedicated bar; a lounge area that’s home to its own bar — with cutouts in the ceiling that peek into the pool of the surrounding Channel apartment building, no less — and the open kitchen; a private dining room with a built-in gas fireplace and views of Transit Pier; and an 1,100-square-foot terrace bar featuring a cascading waterfall that flows down from the Channel’s pool.

In addition to those spaces, SRG is also in charge of the food and beverages at Cabana Bar, the poolside eatery available to Channel residents. And up on the top floor of one of the Channel’s towers resides the Penthouse, a diamond-shaped private event space available for rental by Channel residents and others inside the Wharf. An SRG spokeswoman says the Penthouse, which is now operational, is decorated with leather chairs and wooden tables; an outdoor bar is also in the works.

Scroll down to look around the spaces that will theoretically be accessible to La Vie diners within a few weeks:

The main dining room at La Vie has windows on two sides, tile floors, and a door leading out to the terrace bar.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The view from the main dining room at La Vie.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The bar in the main dining room at La Vie sits opposite the main entrance.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The lounge at La Vie has carve outs for booths on one side, while a bar on the opposite wall sports windows that peek into the pool up above.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The open kitchen at La Vie features decorative tile work.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The private dining room at La Vie has a gas fireplace and a glass-enclosed wine cellar.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

The view from the private dining room at La Vie.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

A spokeswoman tells Eater ledges will likely be installed along the front railing of La Vie’s terrace bar. Otherwise expect a standing-room-only environment at the al fresco drinking spot.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

Signage for La Vie.
Warren Rojas/Eater DC

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