Ryan "Mickey" McLean, 32
Bartender at Flour
The perfect date: I don't think the perfect date necessarily has to do with how big or grand or how expensive or how elaborate it is. Having coffee could be the perfect date if it's with the right person. I think it has a lot more to do with the person than the activity.
Something most people don't know about me: My first cousin twice removed is Jim Crowley, who was one of the Four Horsemen at Notre Dame. I don't even know a whole lot about it — I just know that for college football fans and certainly Notre Dame fans, when I tell them that, they think it's a huge deal.
My passion: My passion I think is my friends and my family. It's what got me into cooking originally. I like for everyone around me to have a good time, and a lot of times that's easy to do through food. Even now with bartending, the jobs I seem to like most are the ones that make people happy. And I like everybody around me to have a good time. I've always enjoyed having people at my home, cooking for them, making drinks and showing hospitality.
Biggest turn-on: Confidence. Turn-ons to me are more mental things than they are physical things. Confidence, honesty. Loyalty is something that's very important to me.
Biggest turnoff: Pessimism. People that are always down. Negativity is always a huge turnoff.
I own too many: Pairs of argyle socks
My favorite ... place in Cleveland: Rockefeller Greenhouse. Right in Case's backyard. For years it was a propagation greenhouse for the plants in the city of Cleveland. They still maintain it for field trips and they do a lot of wedding photography and stuff. They have different sections: one whole area is ferns; one whole area is tropical plants. Really, it's a hidden gem because nobody knows about this place. There's never anybody there, and it's free. ... book: I have a lot of books, all of which are cookbooks. I don't have a favorite book. ... film: The Big Lebowski. Awesome, awesome. I have it on DVR, so a lot of times I'll just turn it on when I'm going to bed. ... music: I've been listening to a lot of Van Morrison and Counting Crows, Tribe Called Quest. My musical tastes are pretty much all over the board. It changes all the time. ... sports: I bleed pinstripes, New York Yankees. Which is not popular in this town. I'm from New York, and that's what I grew up with. ... TV Show: I watch just about no TV. The only show that I TiVo and consistently watch is Sons of Anarchy. That's the only thing I watch — that and Jimmy Fallon. ... vacation destination: My favorite is Destin, Fla., because it's a place that I went year after year with family. There are a lot of great memories there. Even though it certainly isn't the most tropical place, the most beautiful or the most adventurous place I've ever been, it's got a place in my heart. So that's probably my favorite. ... blog: Cleveland Foodie ... dessert: Baklava. Anatolia Café on Lee Road is good.
My usual hang-out: These days? Home. I really don't go out as much as I used to. On occasion, though, I like some of the neighborhoods in Cleveland so I like Tremont, Ohio City, and those areas.
In high school I was ... Ah, high school. I was a good kid. I think I thought I was a lot cooler than I actually was.
My personality: I think sometimes my personality, until people get to know me, can come off as being quiet. I think a lot of times people get the wrong impression of me.
My best feature: Knowing and admitting when I'm wrong. I'll be the first person to admit when I'm wrong.
My bad habit: Procrastination. I'm more of "the eleventh hour" and "work under pressure" type.
My first kiss: At 14, I think. Movie theater. Classic.
My guilty pleasure: Naps
Go out or stay in? It depends. I wouldn't say I prefer either. More often than not I stay in or stay close to home.
Early, late or right on time: Either a little early or right on time. I can't stand being late. Every once in a while things come up, but when it comes to any sort of obligation, I'm either early or right on time.
Dogs or cats: Ah, dogs. ... I don't have time; it's not fair. I'd love to have a dog, but I realize it would be penned up in the house all day. I can't stand cats. I'm allergic, and I don't like them.
Dancing ... yes or no? I would say I like to dance. I'm also a realist and know that I am awful.
Twitter ... yes or no? @ryanmickmclean
My longest relationship: Four years
How would my ex describe you: Of the women I've dated, there's really no hostility with any of them. Anybody that I've ever dated not only would but does say good things about me.
My No. 1 dating rule: I don't date Red Sox fans.
My deal-breaker: Couldn't marry a smoker
I hate when a date ... tells me she's a vegetarian.
I love when a date ... shares her dinner, shares her food.
Worst pickup line: Never really heard 'em, don't use 'em. I mean, they're all the worst. I mean, if you're resulting to a pickup line...
Roses or chocolates: Roses, but I don't know if I've ever given roses. Certainly flowers. A lot of flowers, but I think roses are so cliché.
Beer, wine or martinis: Wine. I'm starting to get more into wine. I actually didn't drink for like five years. I didn't drink anything. But just in the past few months, I've been starting to get into wine a little bit more.
If I could date anyone: Evangeline Lilly. I think she was in Lost. I've never seen the show, but I've seen her. Tall, brunette, she's cute.
On a first date, I never: Cook. I never cook on a first date. I like cooking for women, but never on a first date.
Best place to meet someone: I think the best places are the places you least expect it. A lot of times, especially when you're single, you go out to a bar or a club or a restaurant or something, and in the back of your mind, you're looking for somebody, and those are the stereotypical places to meet somebody. And I think the best places are at the grocery store or some place random.
My take on Cleveland's single scene: Pretty good. I think there's a lot of young people in this area. Unfortunately, it seems a lot of them are flocking, which is too bad. I like Cleveland. I stay here because I like it. I don't really have any connection or reason to stay here, but I enjoy it.
Most unusual place I've met someone: The airport.
What I find sexy about myself: Uhh, I don't know. What do I find sexy about myself? I don't think I do. ... I don't know. I don't even know how to answer that question. I have no idea. ... How do you even answer that? What the hell kind of question is that? ... Sense of humor.
Why I think I'm single: Because I'm not willing to settle.
