Cafe Noir: San Diego

I have walked past the tiny black house in San Diego's East Village with the red neon sign, Cafe Noir, many times.  I always wonder what exactly it is, but I am always on a mission to get to my destination, that I never stop in.  But this past weekend, on the way to a San Diego Padres baseball game, we decided to pop in and check it out.  Cafe Noir (447 9th Avenue) is a small coffee house and cafe in a renovated Victorian house with a small wrap around porch and a large backyard patio.  They serve a variety of specialty beverages, from espressos to mochas and the menu contains light fare, like sandwiches.  But, what caught our attention on that warm summer afternoon was the $2 beer specials.  In downtown, this is unheard of.  After ordering at the counter inside a bright red and black interior, we sat out back underneath large round paper lanterns strewn across the patio at metal tables and enjoyed the sunshine.  In the backyard there is also a stone pathway that leads to a tree-house structure surrounded by greenery for additional private lounging.  They also have a black swinging chair tucked into the corner for those who'd rather relax than people watch.  More unique than your average Starbucks, I will definitely return to Cafe Noir!