If you’ve lived in Charlotte for any length of time, you already know The Diamond . And if you’re newer here, let me introduce you to one of the most iconic spots in the city, a diner that’s been part of Charlotte’s heartbeat for nearly eighty years. The Diamond first opened back in 1945, when Plaza Midwood wasn’t the trendy, eclectic neighborhood we know today. It was a blue-collar community made up of mill workers, mechanics, and young families just trying to make a life. F

Charlotte’s got no shortage of shiny new spots — chef-driven menus, Instagram plates, and burger joints trying to out-gimmick each other. But some of the best meals are still found in places where the wood paneling is original, the regulars outnumber the newcomers, and the food has been quietly great for years. That’s Comet Grill.

Some restaurants are on-trend. Others are quietly excellent. Fiamma, nestled in a classic stretch of Park Road in Dilworth, belongs squarely in the second category. Recently, we went to check out Fiamma for the first time with our fellow foodie friends Paul and Melissa. Surprisingly, we’d never been — despite the fact that it’s been open for over two decades — but it’s been on our long list of places to try. This particular night finally gave us the excuse we needed.