originally from shanghai, china, sylvie (born with the traditional chinese name of xiuying) is the daughter of an artist and school teacher. they were of humble means, but they were happy and had everything they could have ever possibly needed.

she is the mother of one adult daughter with whom she’s very close. over the last 30 years she has made a name for herself as a very successful businesswoman and owns several restaurants/bars throughout the country. she’s been in the united states for 28 years. she lived in san francisco for a long time before she relocated to miami and bought cleever’s bar 10 years ago.