Fair Haven Oyster is much better.

I’m too late, but these always impress guests: The Luke, Rockfish, Nolo, Tavern on State, Fair Haven Oyster, Camacho, Hachiroku.

Wouldn’t let me edit.

Route 188 in Oxford, 334 in Seymour.

I like: Route 146 through Guilford, Route 148 (Chester), Northrup in Bridgewater and other nearby roads, 67 around Roxbury, 199 Roxbury to Washington, drive around Lake Waramaug. Most of Route 7. I also just like driving along coast from Milford to West Haven. Gulf St is gorgeous at sunset.

Route 53/58 around reservoirs in Redding/Weston.

East Rock and Prospect Hill New Haven has really gorgeous houses to explore. Driving up East Rock Park is really cool when it’s open. East Haddam Swing Bridge is gorgeous. Lots of nice roads around East Haddam and Lyme’s. Gillette Park. Love driving around Fenwick (watch out for golf balls!). Drive around Southport Harbor.

Bar August, Firehouse 12, Three Sheets, Anchor Spa, Cave a Vin, Ordinary, 116 Crown, Rudy’s, Cannon. Any brewery: Armada, East Rock, NEBCO. Cafe Nine and Stella Blues if there’s a good show. Gather has beer and has nice events.

There’s probably more bars that are good for a chill solo experience than not.

Castro Oasis in West Haven.

Yeah, agree.

They reopened in a different spot

I didn’t find that to be true, but I got a decent rate offer from a credit union. Total Mortgage is based out of CT if you go with a bigger company and want to support local.

Just outside FFC, but Phoenix in Derby.

Ernie’s is NY-ish IMO.

Aside from Pepe’s and Sally’s, and maybe some more char-focused newcomers like Nolo, most other places aren’t that different from GOOD NY style. The problem is most people expect pretty crap pizza when they think NY style.

Milford is plenty quaint, it’s not all Route 1.

Milford for all that and more.

Milford

Those tikka fries are ridic!

Westville or East Rock/Prospect Hill.

Or a nearby suburb. Depends on budget/needs.

In the city, Archie Moore’s and Next Door. Outside, Dew Drop.

I’ve also heard but can’t confirm, that Blind Rhino is good. They are a permanent fixture at Tribus now.

Sounds fun.

Marketing freelancer. I have 15 years experience and have managed decent sized teams. I don’t work every week of the year, but yes, it’s solid money.

Yes living in the “country” helps. But near any desirable metro, I don’t care what state it’s in, has gotten very difficult for anyone with normal income to do well. And it’s not just inflation. Because when I look at what my parents paid to live in the NYC area back in the day, adjusted for inflation it’s less than half of what it is now.

I think part of it is increasing population with not enough building. CT is a prime example of that, lowest vacancy rate in country.

Yeah, tends to start with medical > decrimin > rec.

Milford Photo is the only major one left, and they’re closed Sundays.

Don’t know about coffee, but Griswold Inn is the vibe you want.

I’m confused by your criteria.

Not sure it’s smaller? I’m looking at the footprints on Google Maps at the same zoom level and Milford’s looks bigger.

The traffic isn’t usually bad near WF. I live in town and reports of it being bad are grossly overrated. It is bad for a few hours on Saturday’s and during the holidays, otherwise pretty manageable.