After travelling the world, a globe-trotting DC-native Thai concept is preparing for its triumphant homecoming. Chefs Alex McCoy and Justin Ahn will be launching Alfie’s first brick-and-mortar location in Georgetown later this year, reports the Washington Business Journal.
The restaurant entered the dining scene as a pop-up in Parkview. Alfie’s next era will be launched at 1228½ 31st Street, NW this summer. Founder Alex McCoy tells What Now DC that while this will be the eatery’s first permanent home, it has still had an active life the past several years. He explains: “We have been operating as a small scale popup all over the world for the past 8 or so years. In London, Bangkok and NYC, dinners here in DC every few months.”
McCoy never abandoned the idea of an Alfie’s brick-and-mortar but understood that the concept couldn’t be rushed. He states: “I could never find the right space in the right place and wanted to have the right team to bring the concept back. I started talking seriously with my partner Justin Ahn about working together on this while we were cooking in London two years ago.”
The discovery of an ideal location set the chefs on the road to re-launching Alfie’s as a permanent DC hotspot. “When the space in Georgetown became available, it was almost serendipitous. It was perfect. I find that the best restaurants happen organically. This has taken quite a lot of time, but the end result will really be the best version of Alfie’s.”
The years of experience, trial and error, and refinement have allowed McCoy and Ahn to craft Alfie’s into the best version of itself. “We have the benefit of testing this concept out for years and have really honed in on what we want to convey.” McCoy says, adding “We want people to feel relaxed and to let themselves go in the food and atmosphere. There will be an element of funk and fun thrown in, but the preparations will be laser focused and always changing.”
McCoy and Ahn have not finalized the menu yet, however McCoy assures future regulars that they can look forward to delectable dishes including Khao Soi and house-made sai ua sausage when the restaurant opens in mid-to-late summer.
Having come full circle, Alfie’s is bound to make a splash in the DC dining scene, offering-as McCoy states- ”Natural wines, spicy food, super limited offerings, 25 seats. Great vibes only.”
