Before becoming parents, my husband and I were the type of people who planned our weekends around food, and going to the local AMC movie theater. Trying new restaurants was one of our favorite ways to spend time together, and it wasn’t unusual for us to go out at least two to four times a month. Whether it was brunch, or a new dinner spot we found online, food was always part of how we explored, connected, and made memories together.
Then, three months ago, we welcomed our son into the world. Becoming parents was something we had hoped for and planned toward, and our son being conceived during our honeymoon in Paris will forever be one of the most special parts of our story. While this season has been full of joy, it has also naturally changed our routines. These days, our dining experiences usually look more like choosing between DoorDash and Uber Eats while balancing feedings, laundry, and all the little things that come with caring for a newborn.
So when my mom offered to watch the baby for an evening, we knew we wanted to take advantage of it. This wasn’t just another dinner reservation. It was our first official date night as parents, and because nights like this don’t happen as often anymore, I wanted it to feel special.
Before becoming a mom, I probably wouldn’t have thought twice about what I wore to dinner because date nights happened often enough that they felt normal. This time felt different. I stood in front of my closet longer than usual, deciding on what to wear. It wasn’t about impressing my husband. It was about feeling like myself again.
A rare moment of feeling dressed up, relaxed, and not in mom-mode for a few hours.
After seeing a viral reel, we decided on Ala in Bethesda. Neither of us had been before, which made the night feel even more like an occasion. If we were finally getting an evening out together, I wanted it to be somewhere new, somewhere that felt like a real date night and not just a quick dinner before heading back home.
The moment we sat down, I realized something I hadn’t fully appreciated until then: I didn’t necessarily miss my husband. We see each other every day, and we parent together every day. What I missed was uninterrupted time together. Time where neither of us was multitasking, warming bottles, folding laundry, or trying to squeeze a conversation in between caring for someone else.
Over dinner, we talked about everything and nothing. Of course our son came up in conversation, because how could he not? But he wasn’t the focus of every topic. We talked about buying our new home, future trips we have planned, and random things that probably wouldn’t have felt important enough to discuss during the rush of everyday life. If you’re wondering, yes, in addition to having a three-month old, we are under contract to buy our first home!
My favorite view of the evening.
One thing I really liked about Ala was that the food was more family-style, which made the experience feel relaxed and interactive. Instead of each ordering our own separate meal and sticking to our plates, we picked a few dishes to share and enjoyed trying a little bit of everything. There is something about passing plates back and forth, debating your favorite bite, and encouraging each other to try something new that feels perfect for date night.
What We Ordered at Ala Bethesda
Since it was our first visit, we decided to start with the Tasting Experience for Two. This included three hot or cold dishes of our choosing along with dessert for each of us. The format reminded me a little of tapas-style dining and worked perfectly for a date night because it gave us the chance to sample several items rather than committing to just one appetizer.
Out of everything we ordered from the tasting experience, my favorite was the Basturma Pide. Just copied from the menu, it was, “made with cured beef tenderloin, kashkaval cheese, parsley pesto, arugula, and parmesan,” it honestly reminded me of a flatbread pizza in the best way possible. It was flavorful, and one of those dishes I immediately knew I’d order again.
The Half Aged Basturma ended up being the biggest surprise of the evening. I typically stay away from raw meat dishes, so this wasn’t something I would have ordered on my own. After a recommendation from our server, I decided to give it a try and was pleasantly surprised by how tender and flavorful it was.
The Garides Kebab was probably my least favorite. While the flavors were good, I felt the shrimp was slightly overcooked. It wasn’t a bad dish by any means, but if dining here again, I’d likely try something different from the menu.
For drinks, we started with mocktails since neither of us are particularly big drinkers. I ordered the Sumac Lemonade while my husband chose the Qiraz Fizz. My drink tasted like a refreshing, elevated version of a classic lemonade, and it was exactly what I wanted for a warm spring evening.
I also tried a glass of white wine based on the description, which made it sound sweeter than it actually was. It wasn’t quite what I expected, so I eventually switched back to my comfort zone. In true “us” fashion, we ended up ordering a Coke later in the evening to enjoy with dinner.
For our main course, we ordered the Ras-El Hanout Short Ribs.
By this point we were already getting full, but I’m glad we didn’t skip it. The meat was incredibly tender and paired really well with the mashed potatoes. If you’re someone who enjoys comfort food with a little extra flavor, this would be my recommendation.
Before heading home, my husband ordered a coffee, which is his favorite way to end a meal. Watching him sip his coffee while we lingered over conversation felt like the perfect ending to our first date night as parents.
As much as I enjoyed the food, what I will probably remember most is the pace of the evening. Nobody needed us in that moment. Parenthood has added so much joy to our lives, but it has also shifted our attention toward someone who depends on us for everything. That’s not a complaint; it’s simply the reality of this stage of life. Date night reminded me that while caring for our son is one of our most important roles, investing in our marriage matters too.
Ala ended up being the perfect backdrop for that reminder. The food was delicious, the atmosphere was beautiful, and I would happily return. But when I think back on the evening, what stands out most isn’t one specific dish or drink. It’s the feeling of sitting across from my husband, finishing a conversation for two hours without interruption, and reconnecting in a way we hadn’t had the chance to in months.
Four months ago, a dinner date felt routine. This one felt worth celebrating.
