Comfort Restaurant - Richmond, Virginia

Need a little southern comfort food? The Comfort near the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia is the right place. Located at 200 W. Broad St., the simple restaurant features a menu with a handful of appetizers and entrees and a well-stocked bar.

Meatloaf, pulled pork, marinated venison and grilled trout are among the entree. I opted for the trout, filleted and wrapped in bacon. It was delicious. Each entree comes with either two or three sides. The cheesy grits were outstanding as was the fried okra.

The restaurant has been featured in Southern Living magazine and earned Best Downtown Restaurant honors in Richmond in 2007.

A second Comfort is located in Portsmouth, Va.

But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night

Until now, my frequent business travels had not included a stay at a Holiday Inn Express. That changed recently on a trip to the Des Moines, Iowa area. I stayed at a fairly new Holiday Inn Express in Ankeny - two exits north of I-80 on I-35.

I was checked in by the general manager, who joked that I was in the bridal suite with a heart-shaped bed. My hopes were dashed, however, when I got to my room and found a standard king-sized bed.

The room was large, featuring a work desk, chair, refrigerator and microwave. Two essentials for hotel stays were also free of charge - wireless internet access and breakfast.

A final surprise awaited me when I logged on to the internet service. After agreeing to the provider's terms, I was taken to a page offering free access to Major League Baseball game broadcasts. What a bonus! I enjoyed listening to several innings of my favorite team.

The Ankeny area is developing quickly. The area around the hotel features a business park and is across the street from Outback Steakhouse and Chip's. A couple of blocks away are a variety of restaurants and shops.