What used to be a place to take your car to get new brakes is now a place to sit and relax while enjoying a cafe latte and a bagel.

The former site of an auto-parts business at Davis and Washington roads in Martinez is now a fitness center and R. Gabriel's, a quaint little coffeehouse that serves everything from a cafe macchiato to a pina colada smoothie.

The menu of coffees seems endless, and you have more than 60 flavor shots from which to choose. In addition to coffees, you have a choice of smoothies, frozen or iced beverages or hot beverages including chai tea, hot chocolate and steamed milk.

Earlier this week, I visited R. Gabriel's for the first time. It was raining, but I was glad, because there's nothing better than enjoying the atmosphere of a coffeehouse when the weather's dreary.

I ordered a caramel mocha freeze and a blueberry muffin with sour cream. I was iffy about the muffin. Who puts sour cream on a perfectly honed muffin? Surprisingly, the addition made the muffin taste even better.

Like all good coffeehouses, R. Gabriel's is a great place to relax. There's a leather couch with a matching loveseat and chair in one corner and a platform section with tables for two up front. The section is decorated with wallpaper of coffee mugs, and the walls throughout are painted warm, autumnal hues.

If you don't have time to sit and relax, don't fret. R. Gabriel's has a drive-through window so you can order and go. But don't rush through the drive-through if it's your first time visiting Gabriel's, though. Take the time to recline inside.

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LATTE, PLEASE!

The Eatery: R. Gabriel's, 3740 Washington Road, Suite 2, Martinez (map)

Hours: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sundays; live music at 8 p.m. weekends

Cost: $1.20-$6.25

Ambiance: Relaxed and calm

Phone: 210-4144

Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5

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