The Best New Restaurants in D.C., July 2025 | Eater DC

"D.C. hitmaker Hakan Ilhan calls his latest project Alara, which refers to a “beautiful water fairy” in Turkish mythology. Seasonal menus and wines focus on the four coastal countries of Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and Israel. The restaurant kicks off with a selection of meze and hot and cold dips like red pepper-and-walnut muhammara, followed by lots of meaty mains like lamb chops, and Greek interpretations of seafood (branzino). Alara also imports best sellers found at Ilhan’s Turkish stalwart Ottoman Taverna in Mt. Vernon Triangle. Alara, which brings Georgetown a rare new late-night dining option, takes over the address that long housed Italian darling Paolo’s Ristorante until 2018." - Eater Staff