Van Leeuwen Ice Cream — Restaurant in Los Angeles

Note: Management is welcome to post your generic, copy-paste response. You're not addressing the fact this is an over-priced, under-delivering experience.

Let's talk about ice cream.

Specifically, the 'artisinal, small batch, hand-crafted' kind that's popped up in EVERY city- and then some. In Studio City alone, there are over 24 'hand-crafted' ice cream shops.

These range from moderately indulgent, worth the $ you'll throw down... to over-hyped, over-priced to the point of absurd.

Van Leeuwen's safely falls in the second category.

We drove to its locale in the 'so gorgeous it's straight out of a movie' Sportsman's Lodge complex - meandering brooks, landscaped walkways, twinkling lights - this outdoor shopping experience was clearly created for the 1%-ers (every store is of the highest quality and inflated pricing you will find this side of Rodeo Drive) that we laughed when we first entered from the parking lot. The whole complex wafts of privilege... not a bad thing, if you're well-off in this economy ... OR just there to take in the weather and relax over a 10$ cup of coffee, or 13$ piece of pie...

You see where this is going =)

SO: Van Leeuwen's:

This is not an attractive space. It's industrial. Odd choice for an Ice Cream shoppe - particularly one that takes you for $16+ a small sundae or double-scoop of ice cream. I'm an architecture fan- love observing spaces, if they match 'product'. This one falls short. It's not cheerful, fun, or flavorful, but drab. Hm.

Pros: it smells of freshly waffled waffle cones. You can try every single flavor and the nice folk behind the counter won't judge you or cut you off (though you will get guilted into finally ordering by the impatient line of 10+ people behind you) Ice Cream is definitely good. I wouldn't say incredible - certainly not worth 8$ a small scoop - but good. Interesting flavors. Many taste the same (sorry - that's a Con), but still - if Earl Grey is your cup of tea - you can have it in frozen form for $8+ a small-ish scoop.

Cons: it's a depressing cement space with zero warmth or personality. Starbucks feels cozy compared to this.

They had only 2 folk working the counter - who give out the samples, serve the orders, AND THEN ring you at the register.

Given the line was at least 4 parties deep (some with families of 6!) - this was awful. It took 20 minutes for me to make it to where I could actually see the ice cream... 24 minutes before I could order. You had to stand while the couple in front of you leisurely tried 8 different flavors, then discussed their thoughts about the flavors, then finally ordered, then finally were handed their orders and THEN finally moved to the register to pay. AWFUL - especially if you wind up in the shoppe when entitled, spoiled children are complaining and whining that they don't WANT ice cream, they want cupcakes... and the parents indulge by having loud discussions promising cupcakes TOMORROW (yes, I'm of that age where, if we were LUCKY to go out for ice cream, we were thrilled, and if we dared complain, we lost the privilege.) But, I digress. More Cons: After 1/2 hour to get my order and pay, the ice cream was half-way melted in the 8 minutes it took to find a table to sit and eat. And... again... NO ice cream is worth this amount of dough, and time. Not even Cookie Dough =) It's ice cream- and quite honestly, Trader Joe's has great small-batch fresh ice creamsand gelato's that cost $5.50 for a WHOLE PINT... vs the $22 you'll pay here for roughly the same quality.

It is good. Absolutely. If you are not struggling in this economy, it's just as good as Salt & Straw, just as pretentious, and more pricey.

By the way- tho certainly more 'planet-friendly' and made from MUCH fresher ingredients than Baskin Robbins (which is 60% unorganic and full of chemicals for color, flavor and preservation) - it's not 'healthier'. This is whole cream, TONS more processed sugar, tons of fattening ingredients like fresh caramel and chocolate - therefore more CALORIES than Ben & Jerry's et al.

I'd skip...

I asked for the VEGAN PISTACHIO ice cream and she pointed me to the pint size in the refrigerator after I ordered an ALLEGEDLY VEGAN SCOOP ON A SUGAR CONE. I took it home and thought that it tasted kind of blah and chalked it up to being ““ vegan.” I returned to the store this evening and asked about the vegan pint size pistachio ice cream. He said oh this is “NOT VEGAN”and he directed me to the one that was. Since the one I originally purchased a week ago ALLEGEDLY WAS and the attendant at that time knew I was SPECIFICALLY LOOKING TO BUY VEGAN I was SERIOUSLY DISAPPOINTED and my husband had a severe reaction. I will no longer be purchasing ANYTHING FROM VAN LEEWWEN after being deceived...

I had an amazing experience at Van Leeuwen, thanks to Ashley! From the moment I walked in, she was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable about all the flavors. She took the time to help me find the perfect vegan ice cream, and her recommendations were spot on! The ice cream itself was rich, creamy, and full of flavor—hard to believe it’s plant-based! Ashley’s friendly attitude and great service made the visit even better. If you’re looking for delicious vegan treats and top-notch customer service, this is the place to be. Thank you, Ashley, for making my visit so enjoyable! I’ll...