Double Li, Thursday September 13, 7PM

Double Li has been nominated for reconsideration. I've always had great meals there, but unfortunately all the new restaurants in Chinatown have kept me away for a while. I'd like to try it again to see if they're still up to their old standard.

It'd be great if some LTHers could join me to see if this old favorite can still deliver great Szechuan food.

7PM, Thursday September 13
Double Li
228 West Cermak

attendees:
turkob
snap203
laikom
teresa
thaiobsessed
thaiobsessed+1
fropones
dansch
boudreaulicious
GAF

wait list:
Sweet Willie

I've eaten here 2 times in the past year, and have really loved both meals, nothing short of exciting. A group meal here would be great! Count me and Teresa in.

Sounds like fun, I'm in +1

I'm in

After reading this you can definitely count me in. It's BYOB, correct?

Count me in! I am interested to see why so many LTHers love this place!

Count me in.

Also, count me disappointed that you're not arranging a Szechuan-a-thon - both because it's fun to say, and you've set expectations with your events.

-Dan

We're at ten people now. My recollection is that 10 people can fit comfortably around their biggest table, but after that it gets tight.

We'll start a wait list.

fropones wrote:After reading this you can definitely count me in. It's BYOB, correct?

Yep, BYOB.

Wait list please

Put me on the wait list as well.

Laikom and I have three extra punches left on our Water Taxi ten-ride, if anyone is interested in catching the 6:45 departure to Chinatown from Madison Street with us.

Teresa

turkob wrote:It'd be great if some LTHers could join me to see if this old favorite can still deliver great Szechuan food.

Wish I was able to join you, was thinking about Double Li's Double Li's Fish in chili broth, one of my favorite dishes in the city, just the other day.

turkob wrote:We're at ten people now. My recollection is that 10 people can fit comfortably around their biggest table, but after that it gets tight.

We'll start a wait list.

I once showed up with approximately 16 people for a Saturday lunch. They sandwiched several tables together, we had effectively a very large square table with at least 4 people per side.

We were nearly the only customers and walk-ins, maybe they could help you, too.

Regards,

Gonna have to bail on this. Lucky there is a waitlist!

Updated

I'm not going to be able to make it either, sorry guys

please add me to the wait list for this evening.

Teresa wrote:Laikom and I have three extra punches left on our Water Taxi ten-ride, if anyone is interested in catching the 6:45 departure to Chinatown from Madison Street with us.

Teresa

Anyone in for the boat? It's super fun and a lot faster than the red line! We'll be meeting at 6:30 by the madison street entrance. It's easy to find, feel free to PM me for my phone number if you want to meet up there.

I realized that nobody was posting on this and I realized I'm just as guilty. Thanks to turkob for arranging it, and thanks for the great company everyone!

More importantly, the meal was spectacular! A couple dishes sounded like they may be boring (by name) but there wasn't a miss in the bunch. Double Li really packs the szechuan peppercorns when appropriate, much more than lao szechuan ever has, and on par with the really good ones at katy's.

If the purpose of this meal was to assess whether it still qualifies as a GNR, I can with confidence say ABSOLUTELY! . Not only was the food great, but Ben Li is a great host, putting up with our rambunctious group -(fropones brought a bottle of 100 proof Baijiu, of which Turkob apparently made it a goal that we finish the bottle)

FYI 10 people seemed to be the appropriate number for the restaurant. Though more could have fit in the building, it is not the type of restaurant setup for HUGE family meals. We were not put at a round table with the lazy susan, it was a few tables pushed together in a row. I didn't look around too well, but I don't recall seeing any bigger tables. Maybe someone else noticed.

I've been very busy with work and the holiday so I haven't had time to post about this meal either. It was fantastic, however. I agree with laikom that the food was incredible. Thoroughly enjoyed both the food and the company, and Ben Li was an exceptional host and nice guy. Forgive the quality of the photos, they were taken quickly so we could dig into the food (not always in that order). I may need some help remembering all the dish names, as well.


Home-style Chicken? (Cold App)


Jellyfish Something or Other


Spicy Rabbit (Cold App)


Octopus with Szechuan Peppercorns


Intestine, Blood, and Tofu


Preserved Egg Yolk Crab


Garlic Pepper Beef


Pocket Tofu


Frog Legs


Snow Pea Tips


Cumin Lamb Hot Pot


Chicken and pork blood?


Bear Paw Tofu


Beef with Wild Mushrooms (made spicy)


Salt & Pepper Duck Tongues


Some sort of special fried shrimp dish with noodles