I met my current bf online. Before that 2/3 years ago I tried the online thing and met a few people that I clicked with buyt no big sparks.
As far as the phone contact. Do what you feel comfortable with. I much rather talk sooner than later because you can tell more about a person's personality than through email, which can be more misleading, things can get lost in translation, etc.
Meeting let someone else know where you are going and meet in a public place, of course. Try a low-stress type date. I found it easier to pick a larg town center type place. THat way you can do dinner, if its going well maybe go somewhere in the center for coffee or desert, or just walk around.
Current BF laughs that I had him going to every towncenter in our metro area. But thats what we did the first few dates. dinner/movie, dinner, dessert, dinner window shop/walk around.
Good Luck