If you want to get some tasty Thai food and cocktails, you better make a reservation soon. The City Paper reports that Alfie’s, the Thai popup from Food Network Star chef Alex McCoy, is closing at the end of July to move somewhere “more downtown.”
The original plan was that Alfie’s was a pop-up while McCoy and group worked to fix up 845 Upshur Street NW, and then Alfie’s would move there (although they also said it might stay at its current location, the former Mothership space at 3301 Georgia, too.) But the CP reports that the kitchen at the Upshur location seems too small, so they’ll move the concept somewhere else.
McCoy didn’t say what will move into the Upshur location. He said he’s not considering Lucky Buns, the burger pop-up that is inside Alfie’s on Sundays, for the Petworth location and may move it downtown somewhere as well. He added that he was thinking of a neighborhood American concept for the Georgia Avenue space, with a burger. Although the CP article doesn’t explicitly say he’s not considering Lucky Buns for 3301 Georgia, so maybe that’s a possibility.
It’s too bad to lose Alfie’s, the place has been going gangbusters with reservations needed a few weeks in advance, unless you wanted to dine at 11 pm. I’ve been in a few times late and just sat at the bar and had cocktails, which are fantastic — using Thai ingredients and even some Thai spirits like Mekhong, which is sort of but not quite whiskey.
I hope they’re successful elsewhere, and I hope something cool and successful comes to 3301 Georgia and 845 Upshur. Opening three restaurants seems like a lot for one person to take on, especially considering DC’s painfully slow permitting and inspection process, so I wish them luck.
UPDATE: The Alfie’s folks say they’re happy to answer any questions on Twitter.
Photo from their Instagram
