Carma's Cafe, Charles Village

For two years I've passed by an unadorned basement-level shop, apparently a restaurant, just off the JHU campus on 32nd between Charles and St. Paul. The only sign of a food-bearing place are a few cafe tables in front and a hand-lettered sign offering soup and sandwich specials.

I found out last week it's Carma's Cafe.

For those of you who, like me, blindly ignore this little place, I've got to tell you to check it out. Down a set of stairs form the street is a cozy, inviting, and mysteriously crowded little cafe offering a hot drinks, sweets, and sandwich menu that blows me away.

Last week I lunched on a generous - oh, heck, enormous - brie, apple, and honey panini served on a near loaf of french bread, and a cup of 16-bean soup that was as good as my mother's. The ingredients seem fresh and flavorful and while faux creative, the menu is executed well. A highlight are the sweets - homemade cookies, macaroons, and scones.

Try it!