'Alice in Wonderland'-inspired dining experience, The Wonder Pop Up, returns to Brentwood

Picture a pure white drink in a highball glass awaiting a shot of red grenadine to add some color.  Once stirred in, the magical beverage transforms to a ruby red celebration of the Red Queen, who serves as the adversary of Wonderland.

This crafted cocktail, known as Paint the Roses Red, is part of the experience at The Wonder Pop Up, an “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired dining experience opening at The Edgewood on the Green in Brentwood from March 22-April 28.

“Adults can introduce their kids to a fairy tale they remember from childhood,” says Michael Marra, president of Unique Social Events. “Now it’s enhanced because they can both enjoy an interactive event that accompanies the story.”

DECADENT DECOR

Each 90-minute seating holds 68 people for dinner in a highly decorative environment that blends the 1951 Disney animated feature with the 2010 Tim Burton live-action film.

“There will be clocks hanging from the ceiling, roses, large keys, playing cards as well as illuminated strings of lights wrapped around columns,” says Marra. “The bar will be designated as the Red Queen Bar and decorated to solely represent the Red Queen with red lights, heart shaped cutouts and various sized playing cards.”

SKITS & SONGS

The adventure begins when Alice arrives to greet the attendees with her song, “In a World of My Own,” which becomes an interactive moment.

See inside last year's pop-up

“Alice asks the crowd for their help to find her way through Wonderland,” says Marra. “She gets interrupted by the Mad Hatter, who is bonkers doing his quirky musical number, ‘The Unbirthday Song,’ which celebrates every other day of the year except your birthday. When the Red Queen arrives, they try to evade her evilness. The characters might even pull some guests up on stage.”

TRIO OF PHOTO-OPS

Post-performance photo-ops will ensue in various locations and with the characters.

“Alice, the Mad Hatter and the Red Queen intermingle with the guests going to each table making the event more intimate and personalized,” says Marra.

On stage, there’s an enlarged keyhole looking through to Wonderland that makes a perfect selfie. Shots can also be taken at the Red Queen’s green hedge wall with roses, playing cards and an illuminated sign that says, “We’re All Mad Here.” Additionally, guests can take photos with supersized décor like a massive macaroon tower, overgrown mushrooms and a large cherry blossom tree.

COCKTAILS & MOCKTAILS

Creative themed drinks are in abundance like the Queen of Hearts Martini, which is a play on an espresso martini with vodka, cocoa liqueur, red velvet cake syrup and espresso accompanied by a playing card ($16). The Who Are You? is served in a mushroom shaped glass with a swirly straw to mimic the hookah used by the caterpillar in the movie. The drink has a luminescent, vibrant blue color made up of rum, Hpnotiq, lime and blue curaçao with a smoking effect from dry ice ($16).

A shareable drink is Tea Party for Two, which comes in an antique teapot made up of coconut rum, simple syrup, cranberry juice, lime and a sugar cube with a mystery color and dry ice to add a smoking element ($45).

“Each teacup comes with a miniature sugar cube, which looks plain in color, but when the beverage is poured into the tea pot it will transition into a surprise color,” says Marra.

Nonalcoholic mocktails ($12) Flamingo Croquet (coconut water, pineapple juice, lime. strawberry purée and heavy cream), Blue Caterpillar (blueberry syrup, Sprite, white cranberry juice, blue sugar rim served with dry ice), Dodo Bird (dragon fruit juice, lime, jalapeño, agave and water) and Tweedles (nonalcoholic ginger beer, grapefruit juice, lime and rosemary) are also available.

FUN FEAST

Bring an appetite because this pop-up boasts a full menu from appetizers to desserts.

“The menu is curated by combining traditional Italian dishes with modern American dishes while incorporating a few seasonal ingredients,” says Edgewood owner Marcella Marra.

Starters include Italian egg rolls stuffed with sausage, broccoli rabe and cherry peppers ($16) and Thai chili fried calamari with a cherry mango dipping sauce and peanuts ($18).

Try entrees like rigatoni in a spicy vodka sauce with a dollop of burrata in the center ($23) or the honey glazed balsamic chicken served with vegetables and garlic mashed potatoes ($28).

There’s also a kids menu offering chicken fingers and French fries ($16), pasta with butter ($12) and burgers and fries ($14).

Desserts change daily but the one standard that remains constant is the frozen custard gelato (hazelnut, guava and lemon flavors) served in a champagne glass ($12).

All attendees take home a 16 oz. translucent souvenir stadium cup that illuminates with colorful confetti when a cold beverage is poured.

By David J. Criblez

david.criblez@newsday.comDavidJCriblez

David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.