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Newly nestled in Charles Village, Carma’s has high ambitions and plenty of moxie. Offering muffulettas, panini, blended and straightforward coffee drinks, fruit smoothies, and pastries, it’s sure to fill its tiny sitting area and outdoor tables this spring with eager eaters of such café fare. Its tropical smoothie ($3.50) came with a huge straw, making it easy to suck down the thick pineapple-ginger goodness. Freshly made iced chai ($2.50) was perfectly spicy and lightly sweet. The farmhouse salad ($6.95) was missing the promised candied orange almonds, but its Granny Smith slices, feta, bacon, and spring greens drizzled in a simple dressing didn’t need ’em. A vineyard chicken salad sandwich ($6.50) with moist wine-marinated chicken, tarragon aioli, grapes, and celery on a chewy French roll—served with greens and a side of cold peanut noodles—begged for a glass of chilled white wine; feel free to bring your own, and there’s no corking fee. For an American finish, try the trail-mix cookie with gorp mixed right in, then take a walk in nearby Wyman Park.

E-mail Wendy Ward