ala DC Is Now Open
New Menu Items and Patio Opens in Time for Spring
WASHINGTON D.C. – The 1.5 million dollar renovation of ala DC is complete and open to guests. The project which took four months, brings a new life to the space that had not been majorly renovated since 1998. The new design reflects the brightness and openness with which ala greets every guest as it aims to bring the DC community together. It is open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday, with a brunch on the weekends that features a levantine spread with free flowing food and drinks, and a mezze lunch soon to follow in the coming weeks.
Renovated Dining Room
Credit: Nina Palazzolo
The renovation included the bar, dining room and patio as well as the upstairs area that’s mainly used for private events or larger groups. The dining room area can seat 60 while the upstairs fits around 80 and the patio can accommodate about 100 guests. The Mediterranean-inspired architecture brings a fresh feel to the space which was created with a focus on sustainability.
Owner and architect, Celal Gulluoglu said, “As part of the new space, several original elements of the restaurant have been thoughtfully preserved and reimagined, most notably the classic granite bar top. This serves as both a physical and symbolic homage to the restaurant’s history, honoring its legacy while stepping into a new chapter. This approach also reflects a broader commitment to sustainability, prioritizing restoration and reuse over replacement, allowing the space to carry its story forward in an intentional, responsible way.” Gulluoglu looks forward to welcoming guests back into the space and sharing with them all the new items that have come alongside it as well.
The new dishes trace the flavors of the Levant with each plate carrying the memory of trade routes, family recipes and the quiet artistry of cooks who believed food should nourish both the body and the soul. Guests can be transported through plates like the Kousayyah with lightly charred zucchini paired with labneh, spring onion, urfa spice and walnut, the Half-Aged Basturma with gently-aged and thinly-sliced beef tenderloin, arugula, parmesan, qiraz harissa and basturma spice. Other additions include the Kufta Bil Batata with minced ribeye meatballs simmered in tomatoes and peppers, underneath a layer of mashed potatoes that is then cooked in a brick oven, and the Ghavourma, beef tenderloin sautéed with peppers and onions, finished with a rich bone broth.
Ghavourma and Khayyar
Credit: Nina Palazzolo
The new spring drinks draw inspiration from the trade routes of the Silk Road with bright coastal herbs, sun-ripened fruits, anise-kissed spirits, and the warmth of spices that traveled across continents. The Khayyar is a Levantine take on a European spritz with gin, persian cucumber, dill, simple syrup, and the Shammam is light and refreshing with rum, house-made honeydew syrup and arak.
Reservations can be made HERE for DC and HERE for Bethesda. More photos can be found HERE.
For more information and media inquiries, please email ali@lindarothpr.com.
About ala
ala is a Levantine restaurant that opened its first location at 1320 19th St NW, Washington DC in 2021, and followed it with a Bethesda location at 4948 Fairmont Ave in 2023. It brings flavors of the Levant region to the area including dishes from Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Turkey. It is open for lunch and dinner during the week with a fabulous bottomless brunch on the weekends. It has been named in DC’s Best Bottomless Brunch by The Washington Post, a 2024 RAMMYS Finalist for Best Brunch and is regarded as a neighborhood gem.
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