OK, here's the deal. Two foodies take a week in April to go from HHI to New York. Driving two days, in the city for three days, driving back two days.

Where to stop on the way and return. Totally open to recommendations. Looking for great places to stay with good eats. HELP!

I would stay here in Richmond, VA. We have great restaurants and a couple of very nice hotels and good places for cocktails. It would be just beyond the halfway point heading north.

Stay at the Jefferson http://www.jeffersonhotel.com/

And let me know what kind of food you like and I can recommend something.

Janet, No Chinese or middle eastern.

Then you are in luck

Lemaire, at The Jefferson, is a great place for cocktails and bar eats. If you stay there, places that I would recommend are The Roosevelt http://rooseveltrva.com/ (best cocktails in town as well), Edo's Squid for Italian (be aware it is loud and just this side of being a dive), Metzger http://www.metzgerbarandbutchery.com/, Millie's Diner for brunch http://milliesdiner.com/, Black Sheep for breakfast, lunch or dinner http://www.blacksheeprva.com/.

Walking distance from The Jefferson is Comfort http://www.comfortrestaurant.com/

In the Fan Distric, Heritage is outstanding http://www.heritagerva.com/

Coming or returning, build in a night at The Chef and the Farmer in Kinston--Vivian Howard's restaurant. Stay nearby in Goldsboro perhaps and have the most authentic Carolina BBQ meal at Wilber's or Scott's.