Spicy Sichuan UYE @ Legend

Lori L. Had warned us that this was to be a spicy affair, so it was not without some trepidation that we arrived for this event. The warning was justified, every dish had varying degrees of spiciness, ranging from just «very» spicy to «I’d rather cut my own tongue off than eat another spoonful» spicy! Despite the heat and joking aside, each dish presented was delicious and flavorful and left me wanting more (well ok aside from the Mung Bean jelly, one serving of that was plenty). Favorite dishes included the fried chicken with whole Chilis and the Beef Stew with Daikon (A welcome break from the heat).
Lori L. had everything under control and ensured the event went smoothly, keeping her cool while all around her were perspiring, spluttering and coughing.
The Venue; its somewhere that could easily be overlooked as its an unassuming place on busy 8^th Avenue. Once inside, however you will find a lively atmosphere with large tables able to host big dining parties. Its popularity speaks for itself as it was packed out with hungry diners. Also, judging from the abundance of tinsel decorations, it appears that its always Christmas at Legends. Who Knew?

I’ve been salivating about this Spicy Sichuan UYE event since Lori L told me it’s going be really spicy! I do love me some spicy and throw chili sauce and pepper on almost everything I eat. I had a feeling the restaurant would «dumb it down» or «blandicize» it to stay in business for «Americanized palates.»
I also go to Thailand once or twice a year where they have no reason to dumb it down. Lori was right! Legend is VERY liberal with the hot sauce!
I must humbly note that I was the second person at our table (Nadia Z was the big winner with her spicy mung bean jelly) who started coughing like there was a chili pepper stuck in my throat! There was! No amount of rice or water could stop my coughing fit as tears and sweat rolled down my face. I’m lucky to be alive!
I liked almost everything I could identify, and some things I could not. One of my favorites was the really hot Mapo tofu which probably started my coughing fit. I also liked the spicy clear mung bean noodles with minced pork and the non-​spicy (what a relief) braised beef with daikon clay pot. The top dish was what I think was diced, dried fried chicken with huge sliced dried Sichuan red chili peppers. Not flakes, but the whole chili, seeds and all. OMG! I had to fight Reggie M with chopsticks to get the last pieces.
As always, it was fun seeing familiar faces and making new friends. Every time I attend a UYE or Elite event I learn a bit more about the people behind the quick-​witted and quick-​fingered Unilocal Talkers. I waste so much time reading and lurking Unilocal Talk, and as I found out on a recent topic, my time is valuable LOL! «The most valuable asset we have is time. Without free time, we cannot achieve any of the things we need to do to live valuable, productive lives.» Umhmm, like write reviews and go to UYEs.
I kowtow to Lori for productively organizing this event and being very valuable practicing her Chinese with the wait staff.

This event was hot stuff (get it – hot stuff?)!
I don’t know how many times I must have walked right by this neighborhood gem, but tucked off the street and under it is this chic little spot. I immediately liked the low-​key take on mid-​century interior design, though I did wonder why Christmas decorations were up at the start of summer.
Lori L. corralled a great crowd of increasingly familiar faces, and spirits were high.
The food was spicy in a very particular way, a kind of deep hot that sat more at the top of the throat that up in the sinuses. It paired well with the muggy night.
Then we all took a stroll down to the Village for gelato, ice cream, and, for some of us, further excursions into the night. What a great night for a new discovery and for spending some time. Thanks so much to Lori for making it happen!

Lori L, a gracious host indeed…
Apologies, I was so freakin late to your ZESTY UYE! You rock girl :)
This was my 2^nd UYE, getting use to this Unilocal thing.
It took approximately 8 min for my pores to kick perspiration with the spicy selection of dishes.
Jocelyn K. (thank her, she documented the names of the meals, I’m not that smart)
Baby Eggplant w/​Garlic Sauce
Fuqifeipian
Sliced Beef with Cilantro
— – WATER BREAK –WATER BREAK-​WATER BREAK-​WATER BREAK — –
Roast Duck
Spicy Mung Bean Jelly
Mapo Tofu (This was HOT! I literally had to change plates after this was on it)
— – WATER BREAK –WATER BREAK-​WATER BREAK-​WATER BREAK — –
Sichuan Spicy Cellophane Noodles with Minced Pork
Steamed Chicken w. Chili Sauce
Chongqing Diced Chicken with Chili Peppercorn (Wait, chicken? WHERE?)
Boiled, Sliced Beef in Hot and Spicy Chili Sauce
Hot and Spicy Peppery Fish Filet
Braised Beef w/​Radish Casserole
Twice Cooked Pork (Delicious w/​white rice, veggies were crunchy, pork well seasoned)
Spicy Mung Bean Jelly
The post cool down was a nice little walk to the ice cream shop.
Great gathering of friends with dramatic shifts in temperature.

Can I deduct a half star for no name tags at the event? (just kidding)
Good thing I was sober, otherwise I wouldn’t remember more than half of everyone’s name.
Came to this event seeing as I enjoyed the last UYE I attended (in Queens at Sik Gaek of all places) when I first visited NYC. So I figured, why not give it a second shot?
Lori L. was the organizer and she made sure our stomachs were ready to explode Sichuan peppers all around (sadly I don’t remember all of them by heart). With the exception of the weird boiled pork dish (not the hot boiled water one) everything was delicious.
–Chicken and Sichuan Peppers (extra spicy popcorn chicken)
–Chili Oil Tripe (awesome offal)
–Spicy Dried Beef Brisket w/​Cilantro (I think)
–Chili Gelatin Thick Noodles
–Chili Oil Cold Chicken Slices
(I’m literally destroying the names and integrity of these delicious dishes so I’ll stop with the descriptions).
Overall, great times meeting everyone and we have a group photo to boot as a souvenir. Hopefully I can hang with everyone again before I really leave and head back to the grind stone. Cheers!

I thought I already tried the spiciest Chinese food in NYC until I attended Lori L’s Spicy Sichuan UYE.
I was reluctant at first, since I have been told a few times that the Sichuan cuisine is really spicy, however hats off to Lori L. for a really well thought out selection of dishes. I enjoyed every single viand that came out of the kitchen. Although it’s as spicy as Ben L. puts it, there’s a good balance between spiciness and savouriness of each and every single dish. An applaudable dinner indeed.
I am always delighted to meet and chat with old and new friends, especially over a scrumptious dinner.
I can’t wait to see your beautiful faces at our next UYE.

A lovely UYE organized by Lori L. This is my second UYE and I had a great time once again. It was nice to see familiar faces and meet some new ones. I remember everyone’s names!
I ate more spicy food at this event than I’ve ever had in one sitting. I somehow sampled everything with minimal (excessive) sweating and thoroughly enjoyed the meal. There were a total of 14 dishes ordered (3 not spicy), with a good mix of meats plus fish and noodles. Best part — only $ 28 pp including tax and tip!
I have absolutely no idea what the names of the dishes were. Everything came out with little to no delay from one dish to the next. The flavors started to kind of meld together (in my mouth and on my plate, hha) after awhile, but my favorites were the glass noodles, beef stew, chicken with Sichuan peppers (or more like peppers with chicken since the ratio was def. like 3:1), and hot water boiled fish (something like that hheh).
Good times. Thanks Lori!

Lori: I am warning you, this is very, very spicy!
Me: Proceeds eating spoonful of chili jello (or whatever official name was)
Me: ~ Ummm ~ Chokes ~ Turns red ~ Drinks rest of alcohol and water at the table ~
The moral of the story is: Lori is the best. Always listen to Lori.
The End.
Wait, there is the PS.:
Thank you Lori for the wonderful event — everything (even jello, cough) was amazing! I am glad I had an opportunity to try so many dishes at once, and spend time in best company there is — all of you guys!
Honorable mention — rotating carousel at the middle of the table is awesome aid to take pictures of the food, apparently… Since we all enjoy taking pictures of what we eat just as much as food itself — eating with your eyes first! (um, no euphemism jokes here, please)
Till next event, everyone! Cheers!

Placeholder.
Per Lori I needed to write several irrelevant sentences.
So hi guys have da nice time at da Lori uye 2night la.