Modern Mediterranean at ALA (Dupont Circle)

NEW MEMBERS or 1st TIME EVENT GO-ERS
Before attending your first event, please take a moment to understand how our dinners work and what we ask of members.
→ Learn how DC Metro Dining works
→ Ensure Group Notifications are Setup (Announcements + In on Waitlist/Attending List)

RSVP CUTOFF (i.e. Final Change Your Mind if Registered YES)
→ RSVP Cancellation Cutoff for this Event is Sunday 10a, 6/27. (Late Cancel applies after this; repeat occurrences can impact membership)

We are heading to ALA in Dupont Circle. This modern Eastern Mediterranean restaurant has built a strong reputation for mezze-style dining, wood-fired cooking, and refined presentations without becoming overly formal.

FOOD: ALA focuses on Eastern Mediterranean and Levantine-inspired cuisine built around mezze, grilled meats, vegetables, and seafood. Recent diners consistently highlight the whipped feta, muhammara, halloumi, lamb preparations, and kebabs, as well as several vegetable-focused plates that balance smoke, acidity, and spice well. The menu supports both lighter shared dining and more traditional entrée-style ordering.

There is also an optional fixed priced shared mezze format available where the table may choose a fixed-price selection of hot and cold mezze dishes. We would ONLY consider this if the ENTIRE group unanimously agrees once attendance is finalized, since the restaurant requires full participation. Otherwise, members are free to order individually from the regular menu.
Cocktails, wine, and Mediterranean-inspired beverages are also well reviewed and tend to pair naturally with the smaller plate format

Most members should expect to spend between 45 and 90 dollars for dinner and drinks after tax and tip, depending on ordering style and alcohol on ordering style & beverage participation

→ Explore ALA Dupont Circles's menu
[https://www.guerrasteakhouse.com](https://masalaartdc.com/washington-dc-tenleytown-american-university-park-masala-art-food-menu)

SPACE: Comfortable and modern dining room with an upscale casual feel. Expect a lively but manageable atmosphere on a Saturday evening, with moderate noise levels and a neighborhood dinner crowd

→ Visit the restaurant site: https://www.guerrasteakhouse.com

• Tax/Tip combo is our required 30% tax/tip policy (see the FAQs for more details)
• Limited to 8 slots

See you there
Joe

CLOSEST METRO

• Dupont Circle station (Red) is the closest stop. Exit toward Connecticut Ave NW and walk south toward N Street NW, then west toward 19th St NW. The walk is about 8–10 minutes using standard pedestrian routing and traffic signals.
• For directions using the Metro, try using the Plan a Trip feature at the WMATA website (click on your preferred Metro station then at the Station page level click "Plan a Trip"

PARKING: Street parking in Dupont Circle can be difficult on weekend evenings. Several paid parking garages are located within a few blocks of the restaurant, though pricing varies depending on demand. Members may also want to check parking apps such as SpotHero and Parking Panda for discounted garage reservations and advance booking options nearby. Plan accordingly.

*** Attendance Notes***

If you RSVP “YES,” please commit to showing up. With 5,400+ members and limited seating, we can’t afford no-shows. It’s not fair to other members or to our relationship with the restaurant.

• New Members / 1st Timers: Trying to get a slot? Join the Waitlist and check back frequently: spots (often open up before Noon on the day of the event. You may also receive midweek confirmation emails to reconfirm your RSVP, so please check your Meetup DMs inbox)
• Billing Reminder - Add 30% for tax and tip to your food and drink total. This is part of our group’s expectations (factors DC's 10% tax and restaurant large party 20% gratuity) and helps smooth out service with the restaurant

Looking forward to dining with you
Joe