Where in Norman can you go to have pizza made from scratch, bottomless coffee and a wine margarita? Only at Michelangelos gourmet coffee shop and wine bar at 407 E. Main St. Michelangelos was opened just last year by Michael Palermo. He says on his website that it has been his dream since he was a child to open a restaurant that serves coffee and wine.
Before he could open his restaurant, Palermo had to find his dream. He was introduced to entrepreneurial business by his father, Pete Palermo. Pete's parents emigrated from Sicily in the early 1900s to Galveston, Texas. Here Pete opened a barbershop, drugstore, grocery store, liquor store and restaurant. Entrepreneurial business runs in the Palermo family and in March 2005 he opened his first business in Denver, Colo. This was the first incarnation of Michelangelos Coffee and Wine Bar.
Palermo prides himself on having an ever-changing menu and decor. The walls of Michelangelos in Norman is covered in the art of locals. There are paintings from local artists covering floor to ceiling. The decor is eclectic and comfortable. There are tables and chairs everywhere for people to sit and converse. There is a buzz in the air of friendly conversation as people catch up on the days happenings with their companions.
All around the walls there are stands of handcrafted goods, everything from bags to jewelry. There are deep leather couches that look inviting and leather chairs situated in the corner so customers can read without being disturbed. There is also a wide array of coffee beans and ground coffee that customers can buy to take home with them.
Michelangelos menu is varied and diverse, there is wine, food, coffee and chocolate. The original owner of the building that Michelangelos is in was a chocolatier. Michelangelos still buys their chocolates from them. Michelangelos has dozens of different wines to choose from and many types of coffee.
Their food is made fresh by the baristas when you order it. There are fresh salads, paninis and pizza. All of the ingredients are fresh, the tomatoes and mozzarella cheese are cut when you order them. If the restaurant happens to be out of any of their ingredients that day, they will make sure that they can substitute something that is just as good.
Michelangelos also has a diverse range of customers.
Barista Fire Cat says," We have regular customers who are retired, who come here as a place to socialize."
There are older couples who meet there for a glass of wine and a cheese plate. And the tables are always full of college students studying with their friends and sharing a laugh over a cup of coffee. Michelangelos is a hub for students to study, or for teachers to grade papers.
Teaching Assistant Scott Martin says, " I come here to study and grade papers. I am a TA. I like the ambiance, I like the food, I like the coffee and the atmosphere."
On weekends Michelangelos takes advantage of the white piano they have placed at one end of the restaurant. On Friday and Saturday nights the restaurant hosts local musicians. Michelangelos also hosts private parties for events like birthdays, anniversaries, game nights and tea parties.
Barista Robert Nealis says, "We have all kinds of bands so I think that is really interesting for the community."
Michelangelos is a community place. Is it a place where family and friends can go to eat, have a cup of coffee and just talk about their lives.
