As early as the TriNoma Mall opening time,  Mister Donut fans have lined up for the grand opening of its biggest store just yet, Mister Donut TriNoma.
 

Mister Donut TriNoma rewards early risers by giving a six-month supply of half-a-dozen Bavarian Donuts to first customers.  And, the next three hundred purchasers were awarded 2 free Glazed Pon De Rings. 



Aside from the freebies, there were also tons of activities to commemorate their grand opening.  There was a program before the highlighted ribbon-cutting.  

What sets this branch apart from the rest is it's spaciousness.  It has a big store space and dining area allowing customers to move about in frenzy or dine in comfort.

As to food offerings, their selections are complete from All-Day Breakfast meals to Pon De Rings.  
 
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I've tried 8 Cuts Burger Blends during the Mega Food Tour.  Since then, I promised to revisit with the family.  
Yes, I'm sure you have noticed.  I'm completely a family person.  I spend 90% of my meals with the family.  And, when I dine at some place awesome without them, I'm really determined to revisit with them.


Plus, I didn't technically get to feel the dine in experience at 8 Cuts since we just sampled and brushed through during the Mega Food Tour  The table set up as well as the wall furnishings is quite simple.  

But, the open kitchen is quite artistic so we found it to be pretty cool.  You can watch the preparation of your burgers but no one seem to be interested in it. 

Food

Create Your Own Burger

♥ The Boss Burger (1/3 lb.) - Ox Blend + Brioche + Fresh Red Tomatoes + White Onions + Crisp Lolo Rossa Lettuce + Bleu Cheese + Fried Crispy Leeks (245 php + 25 php + 30 php)

♥ The Boss Burger (1/3 lb.)  - Ox Blend + Brioche + Fresh Red Tomatoes + White Onions + Crisp Lolo Rossa Lettuce + Mayonnaise + Sauteed Mushrooms (245 php +  30 php)

The Boss Burger (1/3 lb.)  - Ox Blend +Kaiser +  White Onions + Crisp Lolo Rossa Lettuce + Mayonnaise + Bleu Cheese (245 php +  25 php)

♥ The Boss Burger (1/3 lb.)  - Big Game + Sesame +  Crisp Lolo Rossa Lettuce + Mayonnaise + Bleu Cheese + Sauteed Mushrooms (245 php +  25 php + 30 php)

We each made our own burgers cause that's where the most fun it.  I still like my Ox Blend pattie.  With that, I think any other component is negotiable for me.

Sides

Onion Rings (65 php)

For sides, we shared some Onion Rings.  The family approves of it.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
8 Cuts Burger Blends offers its premium burger experience where you can make your own burger with your own toppings and sauces.  It's a bit pricey but worth it. 

Remember the fun days of trick or treating when you were a kid?  Those were fun times!  But, now that we're adults, things are even better.  We don't need to go knocking on every door wishing for the best treats.  We can just grab the good treats like J.Co Donuts & Coffee special treats for this Halloween whenever we want.

We saw them available and decided to give them a try!

The J.Co Halloween Donuts: Nutty Dracula Donut and Trapped in a Web are available for only 42 php each, 252 php for half a dozen, 380 php for one dozen and 592 php for two dozens.
 

Trapped in a Web (42 php)

The Trapped in a Web is more of the adult's donut.  It is coated with chocolate tiramusi and topped with dark chocolate.

Trapped in a Web (42 php)

The tiramisu cream is the a great complimentary filling for the already tasty exterior.
 

Nutty Dracula Donut (42 php)

While in terms of flavor, I prefer the Trapped in a Web, how can I resist a vampire character?  In films, I'm more into the cool vampire characters like Spike (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Lestat de Lioncourt (of Interview With The Vampire), Damon (of Vampire Diaries), Edward Cullen (of Twilight) and even in animes I'm a fan of Zero Kiryu (of Vampire Knight),  Hagi (of Blood +),
Kojou Akatsuki (of Strike the Blood) and Mosquiton of (Master Mosquiton).  But, this adorable
Nutty Dracula Donut soothes my appetite more.  Gotta love that big gem sized strawberry sauce eyes and chocolate hair doo and fangs.

Nutty Dracula Donut (42 php)

It comes with sweet and nutty peanut butter cream filling that both kids and kids at heart will enjoy.

I guess since the family is mostly ladies, we were all attrached by the cute signage of Mirinae Tea.

I mean how could we resist the color pink with matching cute little hearts right?

So we decided to make a quick stop to try it out.  Because of the cuteness, we thought it was Taiwanese or Korean.  To our surprise, it was actually a local concept.  Also, the counter had a  different sign "Milky Way Tea" which was it's former name according to the staffs.


It has a nice interior.  I love the colorful place mat idea.  It was very spacious too.  But, the electric fans were a bit of a turn off to the overall atmosphere for me.



Food


Moffle (Mochi + Waffle)

Green Tea Moffle Large (170 php)

We were curious to try the Moffle which was said to be the mochi plus waffle so we wanted to order the Green Tea Moffle in regular for sampling.  Unfortunately and odd enough, they didn't have the regular size available but the large size was available so we had no choice but to order it in large instead.  

We liked it.  I'll try doing this at home.  It was basically mochi flour mixed with matcha powder then cooked in a waffle maker.  I think you can even use the Beksul Instant Sesame Glutinuous Bread Mix with this. For topping, I'd prefer if they only added red beans as the condense milk made it a bit too sweet for me.  We also did not like their cream.  After tying the cream, no one wanted it.  "Nakakaumay siya".

Drinks

Rock Salt and Creamy Cheese Tea

Green Tea Rock Salt and Creamy Cheese Tea R (85 php)

For the record, the Green Tea Rock Salt and Creamy Cheese Tea is by far the worse tea drink we've tried.  Their Creamy Cheese topping is really bad that it ruined the whole experience.  

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
I don't think we'll be visiting Mirinae Tea again due to our disappointing experience. 

I'm rarely in the Katipunan area so when I'm there I always grab the chance to try one of the student favorite places there.  And, that is how I ended up in Engine 46.

Engine 46 is located near F.B. Dela Rosa Street Cor. Katipunan Avenue which is near to Ateneo Gate 3.  It has a few parking slots which is a plus.



I don't recall encountering a fire station inspired restaurant before so I really appreciated the concept for its creativity.  I have high respect for fire fighters are they are really the modern day heroes which is probably why I loved the movie Firepoof and Flashpoint is one of my most favorite cooperative board games.


Check out these cool bulbs.

There are vintage memorabilia too.


Food

Appetizers

♥ Mozzarella Sticks (225 php)

I know there are other options for appetizers but I'm telling you that their basket of Mozzarella Sticks is the best pick. 

♥ Mozzarella Sticks (225 php)

Don't believe me?  See how creamy and gooey their jumbo Mozzarella Sticks holds? 


Entrees (Comes with rice, drink and mixed vegetables)

T-Bone Steak (195 php)

Engine 46 is famous for their steaks especially among athletes.  I got to try their T-Bone Steak.  It was served medium which for me didn't work so well because they provided the usual bread knife which made slicing through the ligaments quite tough.  On the bright side, I liked their blend of seasoning and gravy. 

Red Iced Tea

Pizza
I was able to try their Engine Special Pizza and ♥ Four Cheese Pizza.  I liked the latter.  Their pizzas are thin and crispy without being oily and soggy so it's great to order for sharing.

Pasta

♥ Tutto Mare (225 php)

The Tutto Mare earned all our approval.  It was a zesty tomato-sauce based fettuccine pasta topped with generous portion of shrimp and squid rings.

Tsinoy Foodies Verdict
Engine 46 Pizza Pasta Steak has a pleasant comfortable vibe.  But perhaps, because of that and the food quality, the pricing isn't exactly student price. 

Arla Foods is the world's largest manufacturer of organic products.  Sharing with you recipes using Arla Foods as it is now available in the Philippines. See here for more details. 

Arla Potato Cheese Balls Recipe by Chef Gino Gonzalez
For this recipe, the cooking stages are divided into three:
(1) Mashed Potatoes
(2) Filling
(3) Sauce

Arla Potato Cheese Balls Recipe by Chef Gino Gonzalez

Ingredients for the Mashed Potatoes
500 grams potatoes
6 tbsp. butter
2 Cups Arla Full Cream Milk
Arla Natural Cream Cheese 
Arla Natural Emmental or Gouda Cheese (finely chopped)
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 tsp. paprika picante or biblbao
2 tbsp. fresh basil (chopped)
Salt and Pepper
 

Arla Potato Cheese Balls Recipe by Chef Gino Gonzalez

Ingredients for the Filling
Arla Natural Mozzarella Cheese (formed into 1/2 inch cubes)
Salt and Pepper
All Purpose Flour
Eggwhites
Japanese breadcrumbs
Curly Parsley (finely chopped) 

Ingredients for the Sauce 
1 cup whole peeled tomatoes
1 tbsp. garlic (minced)
2 tbsp. onions (finely chopped)
2 tbsp. olive oil
1 pc. bay leaf
1 pinch Italian seasoning
Salt and Pepper
1 tbsp. fresh basil (chopped)

Procedure for the Sauce
Step 1: Saute garlic, onions and whole peeled tomatoes. 
Step 2: Add the bay leaf and Italian seasoning with Salt and Pepper. 
Step 3: Simmer for 10 minutes. 
Step 4: Add fresh basil last.

Procedure for Mash Potatoes
Step 1: Boil potatoes. 
Step 2: Drain and while it is hot. 
Step 3: Add Arla Full cream milk, cream cheese, emmenthal or gouda, nutmeg, paprika picante or biblbao.  Step 4: Cool down completely and form into 30 gram balls. 
Step 5: In a scooper, make an indentation using your finger. 
Step 6: Put 1 tsp stuffing and form into a perfect ball. Step 7: Add some mashed potato mixture if necessary to seal. Step 8: Dredge in All Purpose Flour, dip in eggwhites and breadcrumbs mixed with curly parsley. 
Step 9: Deep fry balls until golden. Make sure inside is not cold.   
Step 10: Serve with sauce and top with sprouts.

Tsinoy Foodies Recipe Rating
Recipe Difficulty Level	★★★★
Estimated Preparation Time	30 minutes
Estimated Cooking Time	20 minutes per batch

 
Arla Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake Recipe by Chef China Cojuanco-Gonzalez 

Arla Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake Recipe by Chef China Cojuanco-Gonzalez

Ingredients for Arla Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake
1/2 cup unsalted Lurpak butter
1 cup packed brown sugar
20 pcs. fresh pineapple rings (sliced into half)
3 cup cake flour
2 tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tbsp. baking soda
1/4 tbsp. salt
1 cup Lurpak butter
1 2/3 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 tsps. vanilla flavor
1/2 tsps. pineapple flavor

1/4 tsps. yellow food color
4 pcs. eggs
1 cup sour cream

Ingredients for Frosting:
2 cups pineapple tidbits, drained, retain chunks
¼ cup white sugar
2 Tbs. butter
dash cinnamon
pinch salt
450 grams Arla Pineapple Cream Cheese
450 grams unsalted butter, cubed
3 cups confection sugar
 
Procedure for Pineapple Upside Down Cupcake
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350.  Grease 3 loaf pans 9” x 5” x4” rectangular pans with butter or muffin pans.
Step 2: Set aside.
Step 3: Brown unsalted butter in a saucepan.  
Step 4: Add brown sugar.  
Step 5: Allow to melt then add pineapple rings in batches.  
Step 6: Cook until slightly softened.  
Step 7: Cool slightly then arrange in the bottom and sides of pan and pour syrup
Step 8: Sift together dry ingredients.  
Step 9: Cream butter and granulated sugar until light.  
Step 10:Add  vanilla flavor, pineapple flavor, yellow food color then eggs and alternately add dry ingredients with sour cream. 
Step 11: Pour into pineapple lined pan.  
Step 12: Bake for about 50-55 minutes or until done.  Step 13: Cool in pan for 10-15 minutes, then invert.

Procedure for Pineapple Cream Cheese Frosting

Step 1: Cook the pineapple tidbits in butter and sugar.
Step 2: Add in cinnamon and salt to cook until caramelized.
Step 3: Drain and set aside.
Step 4: Whip the cream cheese and butter together.
Step 5: Slowly add in the confection sugar and continue mixing until proper consistency.
Step 6: Add in the caramelized pineapple.

Tsinoy Foodies Recipe Rating
Recipe Difficulty Level	★★★★
Estimated Preparation Time	30 minutes
Estimated Baking Time	1:30 minutes per batch