The Sun
Sunnyvale's Newspaper

Photograph by Robert Scheer

Roger Malcolm, co-owner of Oliver's Cafe, shows off his Thursday special, corned beef and cabbage.

Culinary cops retire into the food business

By Pam Marino

While some are traveling or enjoying the golf course during their retirement, there's one retired policeman who is spending part of his time in the kitchen.

Roger Malcolm and fellow retired San Jose police officer Ron Rosso decided to go into the restaurant business when they opened Oliver's Cafe with veteran restaurant businessman Paul Boulos last year.

"I've always been involved in cooking," Malcolm said. Over the years he has cooked for various organizations for which he volunteered. And he has helped Boulos with catering jobs.

Oliver's sits tucked away from the main drag of Stevens Creek Boulevard across from Vallco Fashion Park in Cupertino. But already the small restaurant has developed a following. Not only do employees from nearby high-tech companies like Hewlett-Packard and Tandem come for lunch, but neighbors from the surrounding homes have adopted the restaurant as a gathering spot. On Sundays the restaurant is becoming a meeting place after church, Malcolm said.

"We do have very nice outside seating that is outrageously popular," Malcolm said. The restaurant sits on Richwood Drive, with a pleasant view of the foothills.

Inside, the restaurant is supposed to feel like coming home, Malcolm said. "We wanted a real comfy home atmosphere, someplace where people could socialize or do business.

"It's turning into a real community in and of itself," he added.

The menu, Malcolm said, is very diverse to please every possible palate. There are soups, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, croissant sandwiches, lunch and dinner entrees, pasta and a children's menu.

The veal or chicken entrees with artichokes are very popular with customers, Malcolm said.

Breakfast is served all day. There are plenty of egg dishes with every possible meat combination, as well as omelets, pancakes, Belgian waffles and French toast.

Oliver's Cafe is located at 19541 Richwood Dr., Cupertino, 873-1444. It's open seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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This article appeared in the Sunnyvale Sun, March 11, 1998.
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