Entry No. 3: A Wicked Way to Celebrate
Hello, My Darling,
On June 8th, 2025, we gathered to celebrate my younger sister Pam’s birthday with an early dinner at Cava in Southington, Connecticut. While the Italian cuisine was certainly lovely, it wasn’t the food that stirred my heart—it was the sheer theatricality of the place. A decadent, immersive homage to Wicked, the restaurant was nothing short of enchanting.
We were seated in the Wizard’s Ballroom, a dreamlike chamber draped in emerald green, crowned with glimmering chandeliers and anchored by a massive metallic Wizard’s head—mesmerizing and just a touch eerie, in the most delightful way.
For those, like me, who walk the gluten-free path, you’ll be glad to know that every pasta dish is available with GF options. I had the penne alla vodka with grilled chicken—simple, satisfying, and just what I needed. We also ordered two rounds of garlic bread for the table, which vanished faster than you could say “Defying Gravity.”
Dinner service is capped at two hours (the place is in high demand), so after our meal, we wandered through the other rooms, each one an ode to Oz. I was especially charmed by Glinda’s Room and the train-inspired hallway—lined with vintage luggage and faux windows playing countryside scenes, as if we were speeding through storybook landscapes.
What struck me most was the restaurant’s complete devotion to its theme. Every corner, every detail, every flicker of light seemed cast with intention. I’ll share more soon about my recent trip to Disneyland and the ways it awakened my imagination—but for now, I must say: Cava’s commitment to storytelling through space left a lasting impression. Though my phone battery betrayed me midway through the night, the few photos I captured—and the many moments I didn’t—have quietly woven themselves into my design daydreams.
If you ever find yourself nearby—or hold Wicked dear to your heart—you must make the journey. As I overheard one guest say, she came all the way from Boston just for the experience. And honestly? It was worth every mile.
Handwritten from my heart to yours—let us stitch a story of beauty and becoming. Subscribe to read what unfolds.
With Love,
Dani Simone
