Watch out Scoop De Ville, there's a new ice cream parlor vying for our affection. Trendier and more grown-up than the Rittenhouse favorite, More Than Just Ice Cream combines contemporary art deco, a hipper-than-you staff and ridiculous deserts. Set in the heart of the Gayborhood, More Than Just Ice Cream serves up treats and dinners to an eclectic clientele, offering first-rate people-watching that's almost better than the food. While pondering how waiters at an ice cream parlor can afford Diesel jeans, you may notice the man next to you is wearing a skirt -- not a kilt, but a pleated skirt -- with a polo shirt, humming along with the melodious rhythms of Britney's "Toxic" playing in the background. Old-fashioned ice cream parlor chairs mix with modern light fixtures that upon second glance begin to resemble waffle cones (get it?), as a giant red spot on the wall suddenly looks more like a maraschino cherry.
The name is apropos: in addition to the large array of ice cream flavors, More Than Just Ice Cream has a full dinner menu offering a variety of bistro-like American favorites and a selection of baked goods rivaling that of a school fundraiser. With portions big enough to satisfy Walter Hudson, splitting a dish won't lead to a fight over the last bite. The description of the "Famous Deep Dish Apple Pie" ($7.50) is deceiving. One "large slice" is actually of a size and density equivalent to a very large brick, with half a gallon of ice cream on top. (We recommend cinnamon. Trust us.) In other words, this apple pie is not for weak appetites, or really for anyone who's eaten since January, for that matter. The walnut-fudge brownie sundae ($7) actually seems like an entire cake, with buckets of ice cream and a wide array of toppings. (For those chocolate lovers, go for double chocolate ice cream and hot fudge.)
However, the undisputed best part of More Than Just Ice Cream is that it's a BYO; they actually allow and encourage you to mix the two most essential parts of any good dinner -- desert and booze. In this regard, Scoop De Ville doesn't stand a chance. What would Sue or Matt say if you walked in pounding forties or slurping boxes of Franz? Although the staff at More Than Just Ice Cream may look at you a bit disdainfully (they are way cooler than college kids who drink boxed wine), they'll be quick to bring you over a glass. Final verdict: More Than Just Ice Cream is totally cool. Offering a relaxed atmosphere to meet friends and get a reasonably-priced meal, or splurge on a highly caloric dessert and a box of wine, this place just can't go wrong.
More Than just ice cream
1119 Locust Street
(215) 574-0586
