Clara Cavalli

I am a first generation Italian my parents immigrated to Connecticut from Avellino, Italy. They worked hard to provide a good life for their children. My father is a barber and my mother a seamstress, both take much pride in their work. I grew up in the kitchen cooking with my mother and grandmother. I am a self taught chef. I continue to learn everyday and enjoy making people happy with my food.

I attended Sacred Heart University and graduated Magna Cum Laude with Bachelors of Science in Fine Arts. I have a graphic design and marketing background. I married Paolo Cavalli in 2003 and in 2006 we moved to Texas for Paolo’s engineering career. During that time, we had a vision to open a Neapolitan Pizzeria. We were at the time living in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. In Januray 2008 we opened Cavalli Pizza in Irving. TX. After only 6 months of being opened we were named Best Pizza in Dallas by D Magazine. We also had our first child in 2008, and continued to grow the brand. We built a mobile pizza truck in 2008 which was one of the first of its kind. In 2010, we opened our second location, Cavalli Pizzeria in McKinney TX. In 2012, we made the decision to move back to Connecticut, after Paolo who had been fighting a battle with Leukemia relapsed. We moved back home for alternative treatments and to be closer to family as we welcomed our twins. In 2013,  Paolo was in remission, and we decided to continue our passion of Neapolitan Pizza. In October 2014 we opened Brick + Wood in Fairfield, CT.

Brick + Wood is a culmination of everything we wanted in a restaurant. From the Neapolitan Pizza to the Mozzarella/Burrata making station, to the Street food. It is alsothe only, all wine on tap restaurant in Connecticut. Brick + Wood truly is everything we ever wanted, and we began to live our motto LOVE LIFE AND PIZZA. In 2016, Paolo suffered another relapse and passed away in June 2016. I have continued to live our dream and keeping the passion alive. Brick + Wood remains one of the highest rated and reviewed restaurants in Connecticut, and I am always striving to make it better. It truly is a symbol that you must follow your dream and live in the moment.