The Wharf: Mi Vida and TikiTNT

Here in the “swamp”,  a perfect May day (low 80’s F, no humidity and gorgeous sunshine) is cause for celebration.  The DC Happy Hour Sleuths knew exactly what to do:  we booked our tickets for a water taxi ride to the Wharf district in Southwest DC.  We know we’ll need multiple trips over the coming months to hit all the goodies the Wharf offers, but our first venture was valiant and fruitful.  The Wharf is all new/renewed – glass and steel buildings, a brick-paved boardwalk, piers, interesting gathering spots, a massive concert venue (the Anthem) and, thankfully still, the Maine Avenue fish market, adding it’s own summer-time perfume and still DC-gritty ambiance to the area.

First:  take that water taxi, if you can!  The view from the river back into DC is humbling, even for long-time DC residents.  The monuments, the reminder of the delight that is Hains Point, and realization that the District of Columbia and the water are meant for each other make for an otherworldly 40 minute ride.

Steps from disembarkation is our first stop, Mi Vida, 98 District Square SW, a bright and airy Mexican establishment.  Happy Hour is only in the very small, indoor bar area (you will long to sit outside on a gorgeous day, but will pay full fare).  We could tell this was a place for tequila drinks, so we stuck to those Happy Hour offerings, but wines and beers were also on offer (no rail drink specials).  Each one of the HH cocktail offerings was $6 and we enjoyed them all: The De La Casa was exceptional, an authentic and generous mix, with none of that not-found-in-nature green defining so many other bars’ margaritas.  Other cocktails, La Frozen (mango heavy and rimmed in chile dust) and Ponche de Lola (berry and a bit of fizz) were refreshing and worthy.  All the glassware, throwbacks to substantial hob-nail cuts, automatically make the drinks feel special.   Beer drinkers will be happy with a robust list of Mexican favorites (Modelo, Dos Equis, Corona, etc.) at $4 a pour, and wines, at $6 a glass, are also a bargain. 

We sampled and liked the Huevos Rellenos (not an actual HH choice, but well-priced at $1.50 each on the bar bite menu). The HH chicken wings, Alitas Adobadas, $2, were appropriately bad-ass, piquant on their own, and even come with EXTRA hot sauce.  The nachos, “Tatanachos” are unusual in that they are vegetarian but you will miss nothing in satisfaction as you tuck into this messy, spicy, delicious platter of goodness.  (Don’t be put off by higher than normal $11 for HH food – these are worth it.)

All and all, a delightful experience at Mi Vida, with cheerful service in the very buzzy (and busy) spot:  authentic Mexican (not Tex-Mex) flavors, good drinks and good value.

In doing our research (yes, the HH Sleuths ALWAYS do the homework so you don’t have to), we were intrigued by the siren call of Tater Tots at our next stop, Tiki TNT, 1130 Maine Avenue, SW.  The action fronts on Wharf Street, but the entrance to this multi-story rum distillery and bar is on other side of building.  There are no bad seats, anywhere, in this light-filled structure – many water views through massive windows, outdoor bars, terraces that put you right at water’s edge, nooks and cranny seating made possible by the maximum use of space, and a VERY sunny roof deck (no umbrellas).  BUT, good luck getting a seat, anywhere.  It was 4 p.m., and this place was packed, loud and frenetic, with pheromone-packed air.   (It was seemingly populated by every intern or summer associate working on the Hill and other close-by offices, federal or otherwise.)  The Happy Hour choices are uncomplicated.  When you do grab your waiter, be ready to cue up your choices fast.  The Tater Tots (two varieties – we sampled both) are cheap, filling and just what we remembered, from days of yore watching Gilligan’s Island with TV trays lined up.  Other HH food fare was not sampled, but plays with the Tiki/Polynesian/Caribbean/beachy theme:   Tiki steak and cheese, steamed buns (chicken or pork belly,) wings, pepperoni flatbread – everything priced $3 – $10.  For drinks, hey, how many places are you asked “glass or can” when you order sparkling wine? Go for the daiquiri (the rum, Thrasher’s, is distilled on-site), even if it is a bit sweet. The beer, Narangansett (can), a push-over for Red Sox fans and other New Englanders in the house, was refreshing and the sparkling rosé (“glass, please”) was, well, sparkling.  This is a place to send the youngsters (with ID’s, of course) after that multi-generational family reunion when they’re bored to tears.

The nitty gritty:

Happy Hours: Mi Vida, Monday – Friday, 3 – 6 p.m.; Tiki TNT, Monday – Friday, 3 – 6:30 p.m.

Bathrooms:  Both establishments clean and serviceable at beginning of shift. (Tiki TNT are uni-sex).

Transportation:  Closest Metro stops:  L’Enfant Plaza (Green & Yellow), with free shuttle right down to Wharf or a 15 minute walk from station.  Also Metro accessible from Waterfront-SEU stop (Green), with a 10 minute walk to Wharf.  See Potomac Water Taxi for information on water taxis from Georgetown to the Wharf,  Alexandria to the Wharf, or National Harbor to the Wharf.

Accessibility:  Mi Vida – Easily accessible for wheeled vehicles into bar area, where there is a small, lower bar counter set up for a wheel chair and companion; bathrooms easily accessible.  Tiki TNT – there is a wheelchair lift at street level bar to get to next level, where there is an elevator to reach all other levels of building.  You will have to ask which levels have regular height tables.  Bathrooms are on different levels.