Simple way to search subdirectories for files and directories

Suggestion: I want to search the current directory and its subdirectories for a file or a directory or either (so support /a switch). I want to be able to include * in the file/directory name. For a directory name without wild cards, "dir /s /a:d /b foo[]" works, but needs [] appended. A command without such an unintuitive quirk would be easier to use.