Ala, the Levantine restaurant at 1320 19th Street NW near Dupont Circle, is back in action. After a multi-month renovation, the main dining room has reopened with a brighter, Mediterranean-inspired look and a reworked front-of-house that squeezes in more seats without feeling cramped. The patio and upstairs areas are set to return in a second phase of the project.
Renovation scope and timeline
The owners shut down the Dupont location in early January for what turned into a multiweek overhaul, a project they pegged at roughly $1.5 million. According to The Georgetowner, the work included a new front-of-house layout and a rebuilt kitchen. Eater DC reports that the dining room quietly reopened on Friday, March 20, and now seats about 220 people.
Owners and staff on Good Day DC
Ceren Hunt, the CEO of ala, and beverage manager Fernando Rincon stopped by Good Day DC to show off the refreshed space and a spread of dishes, according to FOX 5 DC. The segment spotlighted the reconfigured bar, the brighter Mediterranean finishes, and repeated the good news that the patio is slated to return in the coming weeks.
Menu deals and signature plates
The facelift did not mean a full menu reset. Ala has stayed rooted in its Levantine focus while slipping in some wallet-friendlier options. Eater DC notes a $28 mezze lunch and a $36 bottomless brunch on weekends. Longtime regulars can relax: favorites like Quzi Warak Enab, braised lamb shoulder, and manti are all back on the table, according to PoPville. With the expanded dining room, scoring a weekend table should get a bit easier, though the prime-time slots are still expected to move fast.
What this means for Dupont
The pricey facelift reads as a strong vote of confidence in Dupont Circle’s dining scene after a choppy few years for neighborhood restaurants, according to The Georgetowner. Operators have said their goal was a brighter, more accessible room that can comfortably host groups and events as foot traffic returns with the seasons.
When to go and where
According to Ala's website, the Dupont location at 1320 19th St NW is open for regular dinner service and weekend brunch. Reservations are recommended for busy evenings and weekend seatings.
