Broad Spotlight: Alicia from Always Alicia
Our next Broad Spotlight is a super special person, our friend Alicia from Always Alicia. Broad has been following her blog for years, it was one of the first CLE blogs she followed. Alicia started it in 2009 with a focus on Cleveland, events, fitness, her family and tons of other interesting stuff. She is also one of the administrators of the Lady Bloggers group that Broad is a member of and where we’ve met other amazing Cleveland area bloggers.
In addition to blogging, Alicia is an event professional at L’Nique linens (of course we got our wedding linens there), a yoga teacher, a mom and a self-proclaimed crazy dog lady! Oh, and she also contributes to both the Playhouse Square’s Behind-the-Curtain blog and the Cleveland Plus’ blog. And one more special fact, Alicia was there when we got engaged! Beard proposed at the Boutique Bridal Bazaar and Alicia was working at the L’Nique booth right across from Wanderlust where Beard popped the question!
Now let’s see what she has to say about her favorite Cleveland spots!
What’s your favorite CLE food item?
Anything that Chef Dante Boccuzzi creates in any of his kitchens. The Pappardelle Bolognese from Dante. The Spicy Scallop Chips or the Spicy Tuna Roll from Ginko. Anything from the Dante Next Door menu, but especially the Berry Pancakes and the Breakfast Calzone.
What’s your favorite CLE bar?
Velvet Tango Room is, hands down, next level compared to everything else. That said, I have a soft spot for Platform Brewing Co. after I got to teach a Yoga + Beer event there last summer. You can’t go wrong sipping on their Maria cider after teaching an hour long yoga class on a summer Saturday.
What’s your favorite drink to order when you’re out?
Depends on my mood, the setting, and who I’m with. At a networking event or hosting a girls night in at home? I’m probably drinking a middle-of-the-road white wine. At an Indians game? A Great Lakes Brewing Company Rally Drum Red Ale bought from the nearest beer guy. Out for the long haul that night? A vodka soda never fails me… although a few too many rounds might, ha!
What’s your favorite CLE restaurant when you’re on a budget? When you’re feeling fancy?
Johnny Mango World Cafe & Bar has a sweet spot in my heart and not just because of their prices. Their #6 Nachos were my biggest pregnancy craving! When we’re splurging, you’ll find us at Red, the Steakhouse — start with a drink on their downtown location’s rooftop and then order the biggest steak you can handle, with all the fixings, of course.
Favorite Happy Hour?
If you’re lucky to snag a seat at Momocho during their happy hour, you’re golden, IMO. My new favorite is The Oak Barrel in Valley View. Good drinks and great eats for super reasonable deals, plus it’s less than 10 minutes from both my home and office!
What’s the best kid-friendly place in CLE?
I am blessed with a good eater, so we do pretty well at most restaurants with our little Brenna Bear. She would give her little two thumbs up to Aladdin’s and Mission BBQ. (My baby girl loves herself some hummus and pulled pork!)
What’s your favorite spot in CLE to do yoga?
I adore the space at Vision Yoga & Wellness in Ohio City. Exposed brick, beautiful windows overlooking downtown, high ceilings, natural light. I don’t practice there a whole lot, but when I do, I always feel right at home. Yoga Strong in downtown Cleveland also has a beautiful yoga space — dreamy, airy, just lovely.
What’s your favorite CLE event space?
Due to the nature of my job, I’ve seen a lot of incredible event venues around Northeast Ohio. My favorites include Tenk West Bank, the ballroom at The Union Club, RED SPACE, the Metropolitan at the 9’s event spaces in the Heinen’s Rotunda and Ariel Pearl Center. The Superior Viaduct is an incredible space if you have the right vendors to pull it all together. One of my biggest accomplishments as an event professional was coordinating a 1000+ person food and wine event in the atrium spaces of the 200 Public Square building. Having the Terminal Tower as your up-close-and-personal backdrop was incredible.
Go-to meal when you’re cooking for yourself? For a group?
I go fairly low maintenance when I’m just cooking for myself. When I can time the ripeness of an avocado correctly, runny eggs with smashed/sea-salted avocado spread on lightly toasted sourdough makes me so content. If I’m entertaining a crowd, my mom’s lasagna recipe is always a winner — I pair it with a huge salad and whatever bread looks the best at Michael Angelo’s Bakery that day.
Your friend is in Cleveland for one day, what should they do?
Eat a crepe from Crêpes de Luxe in the balcony at the West Side Market, go to the Cleveland Museum of Art to just stand in the center of the atrium and soak in the beauty of the space, rent a bike and go for a leisurely ride along the towpath in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, snag a happy hour beer at one of our many excellent breweries, eat at a casual dinner on the unpretentious patio of Johnny Mango as you watch the neighborhood stroll by, catch a show — any show — at Playhouse Square, grab a nightcap at Bar 32 at the Cleveland Hilton Downtown and take in the views of our beautiful city.
To learn more about Alicia make sure to check out her blog HERE!
Damn now I want runny eggs and a perfectly ripe avocado on lightly toasted sourdough 🤤