For Immediate Release
Washington, DC (April 21, 2010) — Latif Guler of GLAD, LLC is pleased to announce the May 24th opening of Agora, a new Turkish restaurant at 1527 17th Street, NW. The two-story, 170-seat restaurant will feature Turkish and Greek fare reflecting Guler’s heritage growing up in the small town of Foca, Turkey. For Guler this is a family affair as his father, famed Turkish chef Hasim Guler, who owns a resort and a variety of family restaurants throughout Foca, is in Washington to help his son with menu development and the opening of this new restaurant.
The Guler duo have tapped Lebanese born Ghassan Jarrouj to run the kitchen at Agora. Jarrouj brings 35 years of experience preparing Mediterranean cuisine to his new position and most recently he served as executive chef of the authentic Lebanese restaurant Sitti in Raleigh, North Carolina. Jarrouj will showcase a menu that highlights signature Turkish fare with a majority of small plates prepared on the wood-fired oven and charcoal fired BBQ grill at Agora. Additionally, twenty percent of the dishes will be Greek in nature as a variety of fresh seafood is also planned for the menu. Small plates range from $5 to $13. Agora will also serve fresh olive oil bottled on Guler’s family farm in Foca, Turkey.
“I have always wanted to open a Turkish restaurant in Washington, and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work alongside my father who taught me so much about the restaurant industry,” says Latif Guler, Operator of GLAD, LLC. “I choose the name Agora because it means “gathering place” in Greek, and I hope this will be a quickly become a popular destination for the Dupont Circle neighborhood.”
The beverage program at Agora will showcase an eclectic selection of Old World and New World varietals along with a nice selection of Ouzo, an anise-flavored spirit widely consumed in Greece. The restaurant will highlight wines and beer from the Mediterranean regions of Turkey and Greece, reflecting the landscapes, endemic varietals and culture. Prices for bottles range from $35 to $150, with 20 wines available by the glass (ranging from $5 to $20). A number of wines are also available by the ¼ liter, ½ liter and teasers.
Malia Milstead has been named General Manager and Wine Director for Agora, overseeing the beverage program. She was formerly at notable restaurants including The Source by Wolfgang Puck, Restaurant Gary Danko, Citronelle and the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC as a wine director, sommelier and cellar master.
Brie Husted Architecture coordinated with Sulo, a master carpenter from Turkey, to transform the former Jack’s interior to a Mediterranean oasis. A collection of photos in Agora captures the everyday life of picturesque Foca, Turkey. Architectural details include exposed brink, concrete flooring and an inviting 14-seat wooden bar. Booth seating has also been incorporated into the bar/lounge area and splashes of rich merlot fabric add warmth and depth to the color scheme. A wall of glass sets off the new staircase to an upstairs expansion complete with 48 seats that can be used for private dining. During the spring and summer seasons, additional seating is available as the sidewalk café at Agora can accommodate 34 guests for both the lunch and dinner service.
Hours of Operations: Restaurant:
Sunday thru Wednesday 5 p.m. until 11p.m. / late night menu until 1 a.m.
Thursday thru Saturday 5 p.m. until midnight/late night menu until 2 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday Brunch 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
Bar:
Monday thru Thursday: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Friday -5:00 p.m. to 3 a.m.
Saturday – 11a.m. to 3 a.m.
Sunday: 11:00 a.m. to 2 a.m.
For more information, please call (202) 332-6767 or email info@agoradc.net
###