Trinoma in the North

Eagerly, we crossed the distance between our base in the south and the QC end of EDSA, missing our target and suddenly found ourselves in Caloocan.  A U-turn and a helpful traffic officer pointed us to the new Trinoma, which is on a sprawling site on the corner of EDSA and North Avenue. 

Trinoma, Ayala’s “invasion” in this part of the metropolis, is located right across its major competition, SM. We were looking forward to visiting the supermarket, but it was not in operation yet. It was not wasted time, however, as we marveled at this huge testimony to the mall’s traditional elegant and classy design. It’s a massive and imposing multi-storey structure with greenery to give it a fresh look and feel.

There are already lots of eateries, the reason, perhaps, that by mid-morning people were flocking in. On the second level, we  found a store we could spend our precious time in—Crossings, coming to this part of town from its base in Shangri-la Plaza Mall. It is a well-defined outfit, combining everything that a homemaker would want to have—modern furniture, clothes, household stuff and accessories. We particularly like the collection of table runners at very reasonable cost. They come in different fabrics and varied designs, for everyday use or for parties, the latter with glitter, nicely done.       

Our can openers have been giving us much trouble, so we resolved to get new ones. We scoured the kitchen section and decided to get three types, in order to have one ready in case another fails us again.

First, a Rubbermaid dish-washer safe, soft grip handle opener at P252.75, the type that does not leave sharp edges on cans. The other, a Metro product, a can and bottle opener combined at P119.75, and the third, the more ordinary, so called heavy duty integrated can and bottle opener with large turning lever and easy grip for P59.75. No one was happier than our kitchen assistant with the three choices, putting one to immediate use and being rather satisfied with it She no longer has to poke a knife through the can when the opener does not work. 

A few days ago, we re-visited Rustan’s, now part of the Shopwise family of supermarkets, in Makati. One can never have enough of all those kitchen gadgets, if only one can afford them. However, as we were looking for containers for a cheese dip we intend to give as presents to four friends, we ventured into the pyrex section. We found what we wanted, happily. These are the Save Pack glass food keepers from Korea in three sizes. They are made of Parka Glass with four-side lock system. The smallest, which we got, costs P125.each. The other kind that took our fancy is the Stok Luminarc from France, tagged at P145 each. These are ideal when one makes spreads to give away  or sell. They are the perfect size.

Going down to the supermarket, we missed the foreign food section originally located on the right side of the store. We were directed to the left side of the establishment, but we had no time to look through the section. We needed some meat and in the course of getting our two-day supply, we found Australian Fresh Meat balls, seasoned with spices and ready to fry at P315 a kilo. For P122.22 we got nearly 400 gms which we are cooking as Kofta Meatballs. Should be good.

At the South Supermarket in Alabang, there’s this little store called Empanada Mas cum coffee. They have good products, that come with different fillings and in different sizes, from bite-size empanaditas at P35 for a pack of six to the normal size at P25-30 per. The cheese filling is good. Other choices are chocolate, pork, chicken, chorizo and spinach with cream cheese. They serve both hot and iced coffee from P50.

Have a good  Sunday, you all!     

E-mail comments and questions to: lydia_d_castillo@yahoo.com

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