I recently did something similar and picked up an old Miyata Elevation. Put some 1.75 semi slicks on it and a new saddle, a little simple green and tri flow, and its a fine bike for commuting or coffee shop cruising. There's no way it'll replace my crosscheck as a commuter though, but its a fun bike to ride every now and then.
I'd just make that Novara into a mtb, and maybe get a set of clip on fenders and use it for a bad weather commuter.