dina!, Wilton, CT

Over the past couple of years, dina! of Wilton has been one of my favorite restaurants to visit. Between the food, the interior design, and the atmosphere, it's no surprise it has been around as long as it has. Nestled along Route 7, it's something most people in the area pass by on a regular basis, and the building's distinctive blue window awnings make it a noticeable attraction in an overcrowded area.

It has two distinct, yet spacious, dining areas where the tables are far enough apart to avoid getting distracted by other customers' conversations. The bar area is great if you're looking for a place to unwind after a long day at work, with a small nook for those who want to mingle with friends over drinks without having to shout to the other end of the bar. The overall lighting is dim, yet provides enough light so that you don't lose your bearings or bump into other groups.

When it comes to the food, there are few places that can even come close to how it's done here. From the basics like mac & cheese to their amazing marinated hangar steak wrap to higher-end items like a grilled NY strip steak, they've got pretty much everything for any budget. If you're looking for something different, though, make sure to check out their specials as they change often.

The only problem that Dina! has is their location. It's on Danbury Road (route 7), which is one of the busiest roads in Wilton. It can be difficult to find a way to actually pull into the parking lot, and it's equally as hard to find a parking spot at times. If you have a large SUV or pickup, then it'll be even harder. However, whatever problems the flow of traffic on 7 or the number of other cars in the lot cause aren't able to put enough of a damper on the dining experience.

If you're looking for a great place to eat, make sure to check Dina! out.

Durham Fair, Durham CT

(Editor's note: Yes, I realize that it's been over a month since I last posted, and yes, I realize that Durham is part of Middlesex County and not Fairfield County. There's a few posts I've got saved in my draft folder, so there'll be more coming.)

When you think of fairs in Connecticut, chances are the Durham Fair comes first to mind, unless you're from Norwalk in which case the Oyster Fest comes before it. However, the three-day event in Durham is the largest fair in the state and one of the largest in New England. Between having agriculture-based activites like horse and oxen pulls, a large midway and food that you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else, there's more to do than one could possibly do in one day.

If you think I'm lying about the food, check this out.

That's right, they're selling chocolate covered BACON. I'm gonna let that sink in for a bit.

Unfortunately, the artery-clogging food choices aren't the only problem the fair has to deal with. First off, there's the traffic. As a result of the number of people who visit (and the number of local businesses who open up their parking lots for $10+ per car), it took me almost 40 minutes to get from the town line to the entrance to the nearest open parking lot. If you've got kids, prepare to get lots of 'Why aren't we there yet?' questions.

Speaking of kids, I'd suggest that you wait until their old enough to be able to walk on their own for several hours before bringing them to it. Not only because of the traffic, but because of something else, which I refer to as the Hill of Death:

Now, like the other photo, I really should've zoomed in on this, since it doesn't look all that bad. However, don't be fooled: this hill will be the end of anyone who smokes, has to push any sized stroller, or is morbidly obese. Similar to Achmed the Dead Terrorist, it will KEEEEL YOU. If you're not in any of those categories, though, then it'll be a good way to get your heart going and to start burning off the calories you took in with those chocolate covered bacon strips.

One of the best parts of the fair, though, are the exhibits. There's a pavillion filled with antique farm equipment that'll make even the oldest of grandparents feel young, as well as several other buildings filled with chotchkes that you can bring home. There was even a few pieces that they kept running during the entire day from the same era as a draw to the other machines.

If you're a car guy, then they had a few different cars (both new and old) they had on display, Dodge being the predominant vendor. While there were a few cool-looking Challenger SRT8's on display, the best were the antiques, such as these old Mack and Ford work trucks:

What's refreshing is that the antique trucks weren't subjected to any of that concourse bullpuckey; and it's obvious that they've been used as the car gods intended, even if those days have long since past.

Overall, the Durham Fair's status as CT's biggest (and, in my opinion, best) fair is well-earned. Yes, the traffic would push even the calmest, most patient person over the edge and bringing young children along would leave any parent absolutely exhausted at the end of the day. However, if you want the best fair experience without having to drive all the way up to West Springfield for The Big E, then this is the only place to go.

Unfortunately, you're now going to have to wait until next September to get your fix.

Where Wal-Mart and CVS fall short, Griebs pulls through

With the number of big box stores like Wal-Mart and Duane Reade offering pharmaceutical services, it becomes more difficult to find the small, mom-and-pop pharmacies that used to dominate the landscape. Fortunately for those looking to stay away from such stores, there's an appealing alternative: Griebs Pharmacy.

It's a good sized store, with a layout that makes it easy to find things. The biggest problem, however, is that often times there isn't enough space between the aisle endcaps and the front counter when there are a good number of customers coming in at one time. If the idea of going in during one of their peak times (or at all), makes you uncomfortable, make sure to utilize the fact that they offer delivery.

While you're most likely not going to go there unless you've got a prescription to fill, there are plenty of other things to buy there that don't require a physician's signature. One side of the store consists of OTC medication while the other is filled with various chotchkes that appeals mainly to families and young children.

At the end of the day, Griebs is one of the few places in Fairfield County that offers pharmaceutical services without being part of a large chain; and that's the best kind there is.

The hype that surrounds Garden Catering is, in fact, warranted

If you happen to have grown up in the lower Fairfield County area, chances are you weren't able to get through high school without at least hearing about Garden Catering.

That's because they offer something colloquially known as the "high school special" (often times just called "the special"), which is a half pound of chicken nuggets and fries thrown together in a bag with some seasoning. If you ever get the chance to go there and haven't been before, order it. If you're not a big fan of it, there's plenty of other things to get.

The biggest problem facing someone getting their "special" fix, though, is parking. The Stamford location (which is the one that I happen to go to whenever I have to get work done on my car) has a small lot that is difficult to park in unless you've got a Fiat 500 type car. If you're like me and have a larger vehicle, you're better off waiting until the traffic dies down a bit and there's not as many cars in the lot.

Overall, Garden Catering is one of the best places to go when you're looking for some grub, although keep an eye out for the high school crowd.  I hear it's still a popular hangout spot.

Post Road Diner offers a better than average experience without any of the bad side effects

Chances are that if you were to imagine going to a 24-hour diner you'd think of finding some backroads biker gang parked out front or contracting a painful case of explosive diarrhea after eating.

Fortunately,  Post Road Diner isn't the place where you'd have to deal with either. Sure, there's the occasional group of bikers parked out front, but they aren't the bar fight type. As for bowel movements, you'd have to have a mostly liquid diet for a few days prior to going there to have that kind of response.

For the most part, PRD is one of those 'traditional' diners insomuch that they've got it decorated as a '50s diner with various pictures and chotchkes on the walls. The booths are deep enough for two to sit side-by-side with seat cushions that you sink into so much they seem to be as deep as they are long.

The most surprising thing about it, though, is the food. It's better than you would expect from a place that's open 24/7. They offer a good amount of variety in their offerings, ranging fom complex things you wouldn't expect at a diner to a basic plate of cheese fries. They also offer a few different shakes as well, however the banana flavor is to be avoided if at all possible.
Post Road Diner's biggest flaw, however, is parking. While small cars can fit in just fine, larger and bulkier vehicles like minivans or SUVs are a pain to drive through. Luckily, however, there's a shopping center behind the diner with an oversized lot so if you do have a large car make sure to pull into the Best Buy lot and walk over.

Despite the bad rap that diners typically have and the small parking lot, Post Road Diner is one of the best diners in lower Fairfield County, and certainly the best in Norwalk.

In a dying market, Johnny's does it right

Music stores, like many other types of businesses, are a dying breed. While big-box stores along the lines of Sam Goody and f.y.e. have shrunk in both size and scope, Johnny's has survived seemingly unscathed.

Nestled in a small strip of stores along Rte. 136 in Darien, CT, Johnny's has been at the same location since opening in 1975. It offers a wide selection of music on three different formats: CD, cassette, and vinyl. In addition, it also sells music related items such as t-shirts, stickers, key chains, and posters. While it may take some time to find exactly what you're looking for, the chances of actually finding it are still fairly high.

The store itself is quite small, however. Unlike most mall-based music stores, it has just one aisle that runs from the door to the back of the store. CDs are on the opposite side of the register and run the length of the store, while  memorabilia is next to the register. Vinyl records and tapes are found at the front of the store, between the register and front window. Usually, there's only one person working there at a time, which may be frustrating if there's a line or if you're looking for something while someone else is checking out. However, those who work there are genuine music people who are able to help you find something.

The music selection is one that offers many different hard-to-find or rare albums. If you're looking for albums by a particular artist to 'fill-out' your collection, there's a good chance you'll find it here. I personally was able to pick up Mick Fleetwood's The Visitor on tape awhile back, even though it's currently out of print.

The prices at Johnny's are reasonable. If you're on a limited budget, you're better off thumbing through the tape collection if you're looking for music, as you can get 3 for $10. Vinyl and CDs are as marked, and prices range from $10 for a CD to anywhere from $20 to over $100 for vinyl releases. Prices for band memorabilia also varies.

Overall, if you're looking for a good music shop without the big-box store feel and reasonable prices, Johnny's is your best bet. If you're unable to find what you're looking for, there's a good chance that Johnny'll be able to find it for you.