Crew From Stoney's, Tunnicliff's Preps U St. Bistro

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ULAH IS the name of a tiny Illinois town. It's an old-fashioned woman's name.

It's also an appellation that contains the letter "U" — as in U Street NW — and the first three letters of the last name of Med Lahlou, the owner of U Street's newest restaurant.

And as soon as D.C. inspectors give their OK, Ulah Bistro will open across the way from Ben's Chili Bowl between 12th and 13th streets NW. It had been set to open on Sunday, but according to General Manager Andrew Rose, it looks like the debut will be delayed by a few days.

If you're a fan of Stoney's near Logan Circle and Tunnicliff's on Capitol Hill, you're in luck — the crew behind Ulah Bistro also runs the two D.C. taverns. But expect some departures from the American classics like grilled cheese that Stoney's is famous for.

"A few of the dishes have the same name as the other two restaurants, but the quality of the ingredients is higher, and the presentation a lot more detailed," Rose said. And with an open kitchen and a black granite counter-top bar, he said, Ulah will feel more like a gastropub lounge than a tavern.

» Ulah Bistro, 1214 U St. NW (U St.-Cardozo)