It sits in the shadows of a high-rise retirement home, and it's just down the street from the Mesa Police Department, hardly an area where you'd expect to find hippies or artisans. But, tucked away on a rear lot, is an outlandish, gaily painted, historic two-story house that's the talk of the Valley. It's Coffee Talk, the whimsical, funky coffeehouse that often wins "Best of Phoenix" recognition for its coffees and gourmet lunches. It's unlikely you'll find two matching tables or chairs in the indoor haven of hodgepodge, or even a place to sit. Most of the seating is outside in the yard.

Presided over by actor/philosopher/raconteur owner Sean Kapero, Coffee Talk offers an endless array of coffee drinks. Hot, iced, chocolate, whipped cream -- the java options are endless. At lunch time, a marker-board menu features a handful of filling sandwiches, from curried chicken salad to peanut butter and jelly. The menu includes an enticing list of deserts. Coffee Talk is also known for its nightly entertainment, ranging from comedy routines and musical acts to open-mike nights and poetry slams. Owner Kapero has few rules at Coffee Talk, but he has two that are strictly enforced: No smoking and no credit cards. -- Cecil Tuck (Photo: Rebecca Devaney)