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We now know the name of Chef Roberto Santibañez’s forthcoming D.C. restaurant. Mi Vida is set to open at The Wharf on the Southwest Waterfront in November.
Expect everything from street food-inspired dishes to Mexican home cooking at the restaurant. Rotisserie-cooked meat (chicken, beef, and pork) will be a major part of the menu. Santibañez hails from Mexico City, where that style is big. He’s best known for Fonda and La Botaneria in New York City, but previously worked in D.C. at Rosa Mexicana.
Find the restaurant next to The Anthem, The Wharf’s massive live music venue. Mi Vida will be huge at 9,500 square feet and roughly 400 seats, plus private dining and a patio. The most prominent design element will be a modern, clay sculpture take on the “Árbol de la Vida,” or tree of life.
The restaurant is in partnership with KNEAD Hospitality + Design, led by co-principals Jason Berry and Michael Reginbogin. This is the same group behind SUCCOTASH in National Harbor (with a Penn Quarter location coming soon) from Chef Edward Lee.
Mi Vida joins a host of big names at The Wharf including Del Mar from Fabio and Maria Trabocchi;Hank’s on the Water from Jamie Leeds; Requin from Jen Carroll and Mike Isabella; Kaliwa from Cathal Armstrong; and a restaurant from Nick Stefanelli, just to name a few.