Located in Western Asia, the Levant includes Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, and much of Turkey, with the term typically referring to the region’s culture. Or, in the case of Dupont Circle’s ala, it references the area’s culture as it manifests in its food. This eatery combines “many colors,” “many tastes,” and “many people” in “one place.” That place creates a welcoming new addition to DC, with colorful flavors that craft a portrait of Turkish cuisine, and that of its neighboring countries. 

For the unfamiliar, ala’s Levantine cuisine focuses on colorful foods, both in appearance and in taste—in fact, the word “ala” translates to “a mix of all the colors.” From chocolate mutabbal and harissa hummus to tandir and kibbeh bil sini, each dish packs a sensory punch. After eating a dish (or a few) from ala, you’ll not only be familiar with the Levant and Levantine cuisine—you just might find it’s one of your favorite sorts of food.