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2012-04-05
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Eating HistoryBefore Safety Stop relocated to here, this shopfront has been vacant for (literally) years. Before that it was a TV Game centre, where I could sometimes be found in my secondary school years. (I learnt Street Fighter here! Though I was never good at that ...) Back then getting inside with school uniforms on was just banned. The shop owner was so nice (it was also because of the business) that we were distributed jackets to get "covered"!Even if it wasn't Safety Stop, it wouldn
Eating History
Before Safety Stop relocated to here, this shopfront has been vacant for (literally) years. Before that it was a TV Game centre, where I could sometimes be found in my secondary school years. (I learnt Street Fighter here! Though I was never good at that ...) Back then getting inside with school uniforms on was just banned. The shop owner was so nice (it was also because of the business) that we were distributed jackets to get "covered"!
Even if it wasn't Safety Stop, it wouldn't be long before it would be taken. In fact rental everywhere has been on the up. The one selling good Taiwanese light meals, which has been our "canteen", it is just closed down because the shopfront has changed hands with asked rental more than doubled. Sigh ...
Deserved Tranquility ... and Unexpected Attention
Here at Safety Stop, you are entitled to enjoy something not offered elsewhere. First, the tranquility. It is a small shop which can only house 30 guests, and located at roadside with little car traffic. If you want to have quiet moments enjoying the food (and enough attention by skilled and passionate staff), this is the place for you. Second, the value. Take a look at the set menu and you know what I mean. It even attracts students from the nearby university who want occasional treats. These two combined, I am much inclined to eat here instead of SOHO.
When I called earlier in the day (of a normal business day), I wasn't aware that I got the last available table. She wanted rib-eye, so I asked for that when I called. The lady picking up the phone said striploin was to be served this night, but she would arrange. The people there are so nice that, they even remembered which table we seated and what we ordered the first time we visited!Knowing The "Value"
When we finally looked at the menu, I was astonished that they are selling USDA Prime Black Angus at this price! It must be an enjoyable meal tonight, I thought. That was for her; the lady recommended salmon fillet for me. It would be wrapped by parma ham, which sounded interesting; the lady assured that it wouldn't be overcooked ("kind of Japanese style", she said). So we placed a double-bet (the steak and the fish) tonight.
First, the soup. It was cream of pumpkin. Smooth, but I couldn't quite taste the texture of blended pumpkin. The best pumpkin soup I ever tasted (not counting in our mom's!) was from Tai Woo Restaurant at Caine Road (it was sweet soup), which was already pulled down. The bread was home-made, I was told, but it was not impressive either.
No problem, there were 2 main dishes coming up. Safety Stop fulfilled its promise - we were served rib eye. It was a full 12 oz! One important but always missed point was the "wellness": we asked medium-well (in Chinese terms, 70% done), and that was it. Still pink, but not bloody. She said it was a bit too raw for her, so she took the "edge" and I had the "centre". It was as juicy, tender yet firm as the brand warranted, and it delivered a "bounciness" that spelt its freshness. Certainly one of the best!
Then the salmon. I thought it was fully rolled by parma ham; silly me! They fulfilled their second promise: it was cooked just right. It would become a nightmare when salmon is overcooked: dry, shattered when touched. The piece in front of us was still juicy inside, with a pinch of pink. The oil was still kept, and delivered a feel of smoothness when tasted. The ham wasn't too salty, and it was an interesting mix with the fish. Good job well done!
Moments of EcstasyTonight we got an extra: chocolate soufflé ($48, not included in sets). We were long told that Safety Stop does good chocolate soufflé; I thought it wasn't good - it's perfect! Its smoothness, its richness, the mixed feeling of hot molten chocolate and cold vanilla ice cream - they all sunk into my taste buds at once, and I thought I was ascended to heaven!
Finally, the coffee. I still couldn't make up my mind to try the $500 Kopi Luwak (I could have 3-4 full meals with that sum!), but I was convinced that the coffee here can't go wrong. The house coffee was quite strong; and this time I tasted a hint of mint. I told the lady; she was a bit nervous and said, "it may be the tea ... they share the same set of equipment." I comforted her that my tongue could be wrong. Most likely so!
"Safe" is the word a referee in a baseball match shouts out when a player reaches a base. Safety Stop deserves more than "safe"!Post
