November is such a cold dreary month. Last Thursday seemed extra dreary. Tom and I were out working and decided to grab an afternoon coffee in Charles Village. We contemplated Starbucks for a nano second and decided "nah". Urbanspoon to the rescue! The snappy app suggested Carma's Cafe on 32nd between Charles and St. Paul a couple of blocks from Johns Hopkin's University, tucked along

the side of the large stucco apartment building that also houses Video Americain. I had previously noticed customers sitting outside in the summertime, but this day only a charismatic elderly gentleman, enjoying his afternoon coffee and cigarette (ever so French looking!), was brave enough. Carma's is very tiny, cozy and has a real Parisian vibe. I find it awkward to enter a....

neighborhood cafe for the first time staring at the menu on the wall while everyone else around you knows exactly what they want. Thank God the guy behind the counter was super welcoming and quickly gave us the run down on the specials cleverly written on plates displayed on the wall. Feeling the presence of other cold and hungry customers looming behind us we quickly chose two large coffees - extra cream - and

scrumptious looking (and tasting!) cookies. We laughed when he handed us these cups that were as large as bowls. Mine was so heavy I had to use two hands, but gosh was the coffee goooood and much cheaper than you know where. The cafe was crowded, full of an eclectic mix of college students on lap tops, relaxed adults and a few nerdy guys who probably invented the Hubble

Space Telescope or something! The "Spicy Jack" and "Spicy Jeremy Paninos" looked delicious and were swiftly delivered to the tables by two waitresses that looked like hipster Gypsies. Everyone on Yelp raves about the Icelandic Yogurt, but it was just too darn cold, I'll try it in the summer. Next time I'm sticking with hot coffee and looking forward to trying the Vegan Gypsy Soup. Good Carma!