The Diamond - Richmond, VA

Richmond sprang up initially because of its location at the Fall Line on the James River, where the rapids stop upstream traffic. The town developed in pre-Revolutionary War days and became known as the place where Patrick Henry uttered, “Give me liberty or give me death.” In Civil War times, Richmond gained infamy as the capital of the Confederacy. The area gained economic status as a tobacco town, with other industries supplementing tobacco and keeping the economy steady.

The Diamond neighborhood grew due to its proximity to main roadways but became even more important as the home of area minor league baseball in the mid-1950s, including Parker Field and The Diamond, first hosting the Richmond Braves, an affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and then the Flying Squirrels, Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. The Diamond’s biggest annual event is a fireworks display on Independence Day.

Restaurants around The Diamond neighborhood, along the Boulevard and near Broad Street, reflect the diversity of backgrounds and tastes in the region, from diner-style Kitchen 64 to tasty southwestern at En Su Boca. The local barbecue restaurant, Buz & Ned’s, got national attention after being featured on Travel Channel’s Man v. Food and Food Network’s Throwdown with Bobby Flay, which Buz & Ned’s won. Local favorites include the beef ribs and beef brisket; the tender, meaty baby back ribs; the sweet potato fries and potato salad and the bread pudding. And to pair with your barbecue, the restaurant offers a decent craft beer selection.

Two conjoined restaurants, Lunch and Supper, sit side by side, Lunch opening and closing a bit earlier than its “fraternal twin” and offering breakfast fare and then some. Both Lunch and Supper feature local ingredients and reflect Southern heritage with a twist. For a classic breakfast meal, go for The Wreck, buttermilk biscuits, sausage and scrambled eggs topped with a rich, creamy gravy. For morning sweets, go with the French Canadian, French toast topped with Nutella and whipped cream. Moving along in the day, try some Southern favorites for lunch or dinner. If you like a real Caesar salad, the kitchen will provide you with the anchovies for authenticity. Favorite sandwiches include the Southern Pride BLT, of bacon, fried green tomatoes and pimento cheese flat-ironed on Texas toast. And for supper, go all out with The Herd, a beef, pork and buffalo meatloaf topped with a tomato, bourbon and honey glaze and served with mashed potatoes and Brussels sprouts, or the classic Monument Shrimp and Grits, blackened shrimp sautéed with bacon over cheese grits and topped with house-made roasted tomato couli.

The Fat Dragon Chinese Kitchen and Bar is known for both its chic Asian fusion cuisine and its stellar adult beverages, including craft beer and cocktails with very intriguing names. Dining suggestions include the firecracker shrimp or crispy calamari for an appetizer; the hearty Chef’s ramen, mixing chopped bacon, shrimp, chicken and calamari, stir-fried with fresh ginger, scallions, carrots and bean sprouts; the Chef Zhao’s chicken, lightly battered, wok-fried and tossed with green and red peppers in a tangy sesame sauce; or the basil beef, a hearty helping of strip steak marinated in garlic and olive oil and sautéed in a seasoned brown sauce. Many cocktails may tickle your fancy, but consider the Manadarin Samurai, with vodka, sweet & sour and Chambord on a half-sugared rim. Ask the bartenders about the rotating craft beer selection, too. They’ll help you find something that pleases your palate.

Evening entertainment is never a problem in The Diamond and surrounding neighborhoods. In season, you could catch a Flying Squirrels baseball game at the stadium. Any time of year, you can savor the latest craft beer releases at Hardywood Park or at Isley Brewing and Ardent Craft Ales in Scott’s Addition, enjoy the bar scene at Fat Dragon or En Su Boca, catch the latest release at Bow Tie Cinemas or an independent film at Bow Tie’s Criterion Cinemas or catch a theatrical performance at Firehouse Theatre or the Coalition Theater comedy venue. You can also catch big-name musical acts and other events at the Richmond Coliseum.

Most locals use automobiles as their primary transportation around the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Interstates 64 and 95, both major Virginia highways, can be accessed directly from the neighborhood. Cabs can be summoned by phone, and Uber also services the area.

Greater Richmond Transit Company provides public transportation, with convenient bus stops along Boulevard. The city’s Greyhound Terminal is located here, for convenient transportation to destinations beyond Richmond. Sidewalks on the busier streets, such as Boulevard and Hermitage Road, help make walking and biking safe in the area. Local businesses provide free parking lots, with street parking available for overflow.

Beautiful, historic Bryan Park lies near the neighborhood. In the mid-nineteenth century, the park was the site of a planned slavery insurrection, Gabriel’s Rebellion, but today, it hosts a large azalea garden that bursts with colorful blooms each spring, a serene lake, picnic shelters, soccer fields, a disc golf course and sand volleyball court, trails and roadways for running and biking. Dogs are not allowed, and there are no entrance fees.

The Audubon Society hosts morning bird walks in Bryan Park on the first Sunday of each month. Each June, the Richmond Vegetarian Festival hosts a healthy day of natural food, nonprofits, speakers, business vendors, music and entertainment.

Byrd Park, less than three miles from the neighborhood, presents the Vitacourse, a popular year-round exercise trail. Don't miss the park's annual "Arts in the Park" festival, a two-day event in which over 400 artists and artisans display and sell their work.

Cost of living in The Diamond neighborhood is on par with the Richmond city average, which is slightly below the U.S. average. Median rent for a one-bedroom residence is $850.

A beer at a local pub costs approximately $2 for domestics and $4 for craft, with special craft beers at high-end restaurants costing upwards of $7. Gas prices run about eight percent below the national average. A GRTC single-fare trip costs $1.50 and transfer is $.25 – with one transfer, a ride from the neighborhood to downtown costs $1.75.

Though few retail outlets lie directly in The Diamond, two thrift stores here provide high-value shopping, including Salvation Army and Diversity Thrift. Other convenient shopping options from the neighborhood are scattered up and down Broad Street.

The Shops at Willow Lawn open-air mall, about three miles up Broad Street, contains a diversity of national retail stores and restaurants, including Old Navy, Staples, Ross Dress for Less, Rack Room Shoes, Kroger, Panera Bread and American Tap Room.

An abundance of boutiques and specialty stores fill Carytown, the self-proclaimed “mile of style”: gift and antique stores, shops with clothing and accessories, running and bicycle stores and more. For unique and often humorous, off-the-wall gifts, check out Mongrel. Creatively stocked, Mongrel carries an eclectic selection of home accessories, barware, stationery, unexpected books, gifts and greeting cards. If your sweet tooth is clamoring to be satiated, head to “chocolate nirvana,” For the Love of Chocolate. This expansive store carries old favorites and new flavors, locally-made candy and gourmet chocolates from abroad, package selections and bulk buys. Besides just chocolate, the store stocks Jelly Bellies, hard candies and the like, as well as baked goods.

The closest Kroger to The Diamond, situated on Lombardy near Broad, can meet everyday grocery shopping needs. Lakeside Farmers’ Market provides year-round access to local vendors carrying meats, cheeses, fresh produce and handmade products. Relay Foods delivery service provides easy access to local farm goods.