"This coffee? It’s roasted by a murder lawyer and his partner in El Cajon,” says Kayla. “He deals with criminals by day and roasts by night. The West Bean.”

Kayla

Coffee to die for? Huh. Actually it is pretty durned good coffee.

I’m at what was Java Jones and is now The Village @ 631 (631 9th Avenue downtown, 619-255-9504).

It says “Coffee and Wine Bar,” but looks exactly the same as JJ days, from what I remember. But attractive with deep Lincoln chairs as well as sit-up laptop tables. And sunny, ship-like outside seating.

Outside seating's sunny

My “small” coffee ($1.85) is in a nice big china cup. But I'm looking for breakfast. Healthy things here are cheap. Almost go for the yogurt granola parfait ($3.99, with fruit), or the seasonal fruit medley ($3.49).

Then I see straight carboland stuff, like wraps and paninis and sandwiches. They're a pretty decent price too. Mostly around six to eight bucks.

But “your favorite” breakfast specials are cheaper. An egg and cheese sandwich is $4.50. With sausage, bacon or ham it’s $4.75. And “Your Favorite Breakfast Combo” -- any of these with coffee -- sounds a deal at $5.75.

I go for that and try to find a table. Not easy, cos Comic-Con is right down the street. Place is filled with people with important plastic jangling around their necks, buzzing with kinda strutty talk. “I was talking to Nick -- Nicolas Cage -- and telling him, 'Nicky, Goth is out!'”

But even that stops when Kayla brings my breakfast combo.

Sausage, egg, and cheese breakfast

It’s like art. Filling too.

The wine bar thing? “We should have wine soon,” says Kayla. “Building the actual wine bar part? Probably after summer.”

Beautiful lighting