Inside the New D.C. Restaurant That Only Sells Five Curry Steak Frites Every Night

Aflie's, a trendy new restaurant in Washington, D.C., has captured the attention of food enthusiasts with its innovative approach to Thai cuisine. Founded by chefs Justin Ahn and Alex McCoy, the eatery began as a pop-up in Petworth in 2017 before expanding to a permanent location in Georgetown. The menu focuses on traditional northern Thai cooking techniques, utilizing local ingredients from the surrounding DMV area.

One of the star dishes at Aflie's is the limited-quantity Thai steak frites, prepared each night. The chefs break down rib-eye steaks and sear them to perfection, then finish the meal with a massaman curry peppercorn sauce. The steak is served with classic "bar fries" and the flavorful sauce, made by incorporating the leftover beef fat into the pan.

Another signature dish is the hand-cut green papaya salad, known as som tam, which is tossed in a spicy dressing with tomatoes, peanuts, and a palm syrup and tamarind-heavy dressing. The team also prepares a rich pork belly curry, known in Thai as gaeng hung lay, simmering large pieces of pork belly to create a fatty layer. The dish is balanced with pickled garlic and pineapple, complemented by curry paste, tamarind, and fish sauce.

Throughout the day, the kitchen team meticulously prepares herbs and steams sticky rice, soaking it overnight for a malleable and glutinous texture. McCoy emphasizes that being a chef is more than just a job; it's a lifestyle. He hopes that Aflie's will become a place where visitors can escape their surroundings and fully immerse themselves in the food and atmosphere.