Norman has no shortage of breakfast spots. Some are storied and deserving of their mantle. Some are cheesy; some are straight-up dives. They all have their place. But Levity Breakfast House feels just right for this town at this moment. Housed inside a lovingly reimagined 105-year-old bungalow just north of downtown, Levity is a little bit Norman, a little bit Portland, and a welcome addition to the breakfast scene. The downtown location offers a welcome alternative to Campus Corner, which has become a microcosm of late-stage capitalism, home only to national chains and soaring rents. If you’re wondering where Norman’s creatives, young professionals and families have migrated for coffee and breakfast these days, look no further than downtown generally and Levity specifically. The day I was there, I rubbed elbows with a duo of fashionable elder millennials, a trio who appeared to be retired art professors and roughly half the OU women’s soccer team. That’s my kind of Norman. The digs are warm, welcoming and bright. It’s not lost on this reviewer that it is no small feat to take a centenarian house and somehow manage to squeeze in a commercial kitchen while maintaining that Craftsman charm. If the Gibbs architecture kids aren’t getting their waffles here after a late night in the studio, they’re doubly missing out. It’s a gift to all of us when a new owner preserves a historic building, so I was inclined to be into it long before the first nibbles. The restaurant is the vision of brothers Jon and Mark Hunnell, who transformed this old house into a lively gathering place. It felt cozy and homey even before I knew the backstory: The Hunnell brothers grew up in Portland, where they taught themselves to make their favorite fare. Jon moved to Norman with his wife and children; a few years later, Mark followed, his family in tow. Levity is the culmination of a childhood dream, and the addition of Chef Luke Fry completed the trifecta. Fry’s well-rounded resume includes stints at Norman’s NOUN Hotel and Scratch Kitchen Cocktails. The first thing to order is one of Levity’s house-made scones. Seasonal flavors rotate, but each starts with the same, distinctively dense and tender crumb. The Maple Bacon Pecan strikes a détente between savory and sweet, while the Blueberry Lemon delivers bright citrus alongside juicy berries for a lighter finish. Those were both excellent, but my crew all agreed the Peaches Cream was the standout: Oklahoma summer wrapped in buttery layers. They’re substantial enough to share, though you’ll probably regret doing so after the first bite. Levity The Scones and Gravy skips the standard biscuit, opting for a savory three-cheese scone as the base before blanketing it with maple sausage gravy and topping it with two eggs cooked to order. The slight sweetness of the scone plays beautifully against the peppery gravy.I also loved the Stay Classy Norman breakfast sandwich. Scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, sharp cheddar and a touch of garlic aioli come together on a house-made English muffin with a crisp potato cake on the side. It’s familiar enough to satisfy traditionalists while still feeling distinctly house-made from top to bottom. One of the menu’s biggest surprises is the Avocado Prost. Knife skills were on full display in the expertly sliced avocado, layered over a toasted Sadee’s Sourdough. It’s finished with house-made roasted cashew-pecan pesto, pickled onions, tomatoes, mixed greens and a drizzle of balsamic glaze. When pressed, I would have to say this was, perhaps surprisingly, everyone’s favorite. The place also definitely passes the Portland vibe check when it comes to thoughtfully prepared vegan fare. Coffee lovers will find prepared espresso drinks alongside drip coffee and cold brew, but we opted for the iced masala chai tea latte. It was rich and creamy without being too sweet—refreshing enough for an Oklahoma summer morning while still delivering all that chai goodness. In short, Levity just feels right. Nothing on the menu is trying to reinvent breakfast. Almost every offering proves that small upgrades—fresh bread, quality ingredients, good seasoning and the care taken in the preparation—can transform everyday favorites. My favorite restaurants and restaurateurs always make me feel like I’m being welcomed into someone’s home, and Levity feels almost uncannily like that. The Portland backstory, the tight-knit family and the nods to pop culture all made it feel like hanging out at my cool cousin’s house—albeit with better snacks. Judging by the steady stream of regulars filling its tables each morning, Norman agrees. The post Breakfast, Levitated appeared first on Oklahoma Gazette. ...read more read less