Sylvie Dee's — Restaurant in Webster Groves

I was really excited to see there was a new icecream/candy/coffee shop to support, but soon was very disappointed in an aspect of their pricing. With an already $3.50 scoop, Sylvie Dee’s up charges an extra $1.50 for each dairy-free scoop. I was in disbelief after seeing that my total was over $8.50 for a regular size of ice cream. I do not normally feel people have a prerogative to criticize small business for selling products for much greater price, after all I love to support pricey local businesses like bijoux and bagel union. However the difference with Sylvie Dee’s is that they have an almost ‘pink tax’ equivalent for dairy intolerant and vegan people. While the businesses mentioned above have consistently same prices with vegan alternatives and non-vegan equivalents, Sylvie Dee’s has an upwards of 40% up charge on their vegan products! Even if their reasoning for up-charging is that plant milk costs more, this 40% increase is massive compared to cheap chains like Dairy Queen which follow a much closer market price to product price model. Even a cheap chain like Dairy Queen only charges about 7% extra for non dairy, and Sylvie Dee’s is the business that already charges premium prices. It seems like the price up charge is deceitful leverage on non dairy people who already have less options. Besides, if market price of product really was an issue, wouldn’t there be pricing differences between the dairy flavors too? The dairy flavors of vanilla and gooey butter cake are the same prices, yet the logic changes when switching ingredients like milk I guess.

For now, if I’m craving ice cream I will go to sugar witch, the gelateria, jeni’s, or literally any other business that doesn’t take advantage of dietary...

Sylvie Dee's delivers on the promise that Half Pint at the Annex alludes to. The service is excellent, informed, engaging customers happily with song literally and figuratively (especially the eldest daughter who is organizing the register and circus of business like a head chef). The ice cream is solid and well priced, the soda fountain is great and worth a try, the waffle cones are homemade and solid. The decor is fun, especially the ice cream code tiled floor which is a perfect addition. The only real critique would be the house cake shake which needs to be completely redone as it takes more like an ensure chocolate shake with a chalk finish. Also the bulk candy space looks like it will be a dead zone where the majority of customers didn't give it a second look and this could be better used for promotional space for higher return home tarts or other items. Every shake shop loves to add a bulk candy for the decor but it isn't anything unique, fresh after a while nor affordable. The dual order process of inside and outside window is a stroke of genius as is the alley sitting area. Work to have a few more signature flavors and items, embrace seasonal themes to encourage return engagement and keep the energy & attitude and you have a perfect addition to the old...

We were looking for a quick little dessert on Valentine's Day evening for our kids, and stumbled upon this gem. While it was technically "closed"--we arrived 8 minutes past closing--the sweet girl behind the counter warmly welcomed us in, told us to take our time, doled out ice cream samples to my kids, and happily served us. She was so kind, patient and helpful. We apologized for being late and she assured us it was fine and thanked us for our business. She could have shooed us away or been annoyed, as it was after hours on V day and I'm sure she wanted to do anything but work, but her actions were anything but annoyed. The ice cream was very fresh tasting, with so many quality flavors to choose from, too! It was the "sweet" ending to a lovely day. We will definitely be back the next time we are...