Ala, a modern Eastern Mediterranean restaurant with locations in Bethesda and Washington, D.C., reopened Friday with a new menu and revamped brunch deals after closing for four days.
The restaurant, which offers a taste of Levantine cuisine, announced on its website and on Instagram that it would temporarily close its locations at 4948 Fairmont Ave. in Bethesda and 1320 19th St. NW in the District to upgrade its menu and train its staff.
Owners Deniz and Celal Gulluoglu said in a statement Monday the menu changes “better align with our culinary vision and enhance our guests’ dining experience.”
Previously, ala’s menu focused on larger plates, which “left our guests unable to sample the full range” of the restaurant’s dishes, the owners said. The changes come four months after the couple, who live in Cabin John, opened ala Bethesda in March. The original location in the District opened in 2021.
The new menu keeps a few of ala’s signature dishes such as the Adana Kebab, Golden Cauliflower, Lahmacun flatbread and short ribs, the owners said, but largely features many new cold and hot mezze dishes.
Za’atar Labneh (a soft Middle Eastern cheese topped with a Levantine spice mixture), watermelon salad and duck prosciutto are among some of the new cold mezze plates. For hot mezze, new offerings include Mucver Fritters (made of zucchini, carrot, asparagus and feta), fried dolmades and halloumi wraps.
“This change aims to provide a more diverse and accessible menu, allowing diners to enjoy a variety of flavors in one sitting,” the owners said. “Our goal is to ensure that each guest leaves with a rich and memorable experience of our culinary artistry.”
In addition to new menu items, ala is offering a brunch special with a three-course and two-hour bottomless brunch for $48. The eatery formerly offered an a la carte option for brunch and the seating was limited to just 90 minutes, according to the owners.
“We have always wanted to open a second restaurant closer to our home, in our community,” Deniz Gulluoglu said in a February release announcing the Bethesda restaurant’s impending opening. “Bethesda restaurants offer an array of culinary flavors, and we are thrilled to offer the community ala Bethesda, an exceptional Levantine dining experience, in the heart of Bethesda.”
Before the four-day closure, Bethesda Magazine published a review of the restaurant by critic David Hagedorn in its July/August issue.
Za’atar Labneh ($10) is featured on the cold mezze menu. Credit: Courtesy of ala 
The fried dolmades ($10) dish is deep friend saffron rice with garlic and yogurt. Credit: Courtesy of ala 
Jagegh ($10), a labneh dip with fried pickles and artichoke. Credit: Courtesy of ala 
Ala’s Manti dumplings now have a beef filling. Credit: Courtesy of ala