Terra Firma

If you've overlooked this cute cafe at the corner of St. Paul and East 25th Streets, you might want to take notice. Terra Café (410-777-5277) attracts a diverse following by offering free Wi-Fi, live music on Mondays, open-mic nights on second Fridays, and a menu heavy (and we use that word advisedly; this is not low-calorie dining!) on comfort-food favorites. To wit: Try the cheese steak ($7.95), pictured, which is available with chicken or beef, on a toasted roll loaded with caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, and chipotle mayo. Add your choice of cheese and dig into the gooey pile. A side of crispy fries is a nice addition, but not necessary considering the heft of the sandwich. Dinner platters are another option. Choose from fried, curry, or jerk chicken, or baked or fried fish, and then select two sides from a list ranging from mac and cheese to vegan greens. Wash it all down with something from the cafe's surprisingly robust tea menu and leave happy, with leftovers to spare.