Pepe's Birthday Giveway #1: Simplé Lang Proves with the Pancit Tinola That Not All Pancit Were Created Equal

There is nothing like Filipino food to comfort the senses. A taste of what’s familiar—something we are accustomed to or grew up eating—is a surefire way to ease up a stressful day, or to satiate a relentless craving. There are days when all you want to do is finish work and get home as soon as possible so you could dig into your mother’s adobo, or your Lola’s caldereta, but admit it, most days are not like this. Luckily for us, there are restaurants like Simplé Lang in Makati—a Filipino restaurant serving up local dishes with a few inventive twists.


Situated in Ayala Triangle Gardens, Simplé Lang is a casual restaurant boasting of a simple, friendly façade. The interior is cheerful and well-lit, with floor-to-ceiling windows, long tables perfect for communal dining, an open kitchen, and red, gray, and black fixtures. A loft serves as an extension of the dining space, as well as a few tables in the alfresco area. Simplé Lang’s understated motif invites diners to enjoy no-fuss Pinoy food that are lovingly cooked and creatively presented.

The restaurant’s high regard for local cuisine and the chefs’ inventiveness show not only through their well-loved specials (Sinigang na Bagnet sa Watermelon, anyone?) but also through their new dishes. Take for instance, the Chicken Inasal Sisig (PhP250): a platter of chopped-up chicken inasal, slightly toasted to give the meat a nice amount of crisp, then tossed together with grated cheese, onions, and crispy chicken skin. It’s a balanced mix of savory and creamy flavors, of soft and crunchy textures. I bet this is awesome with beer!

I love laing, so naturally the Bicolano-Style Laing with Daing na Bangus (PhP225) excited me. Simplé Lang’s rendition of the gabi (taro) leaves dish is creamier than I would’ve liked (I prefer more gingery versions), but taste-wise it was still good. I didn’t try the fish as I wasn’t a big fan of it.

But here’s the thing: I stopped eating the abovementioned dishes when I got my first bite of the Pancit Tinola (PhP195). Simplé Lang combines two of your favorite Pinoy dishes into an ultimate treat. Imagine your regular pancit transformed tenfold by cooking it in tinola broth, the flavors of ginger, garlic and fish sauce permeating each strand. The noodles were already flavorful on their own, but of course, tinola wouldn’t be complete without chicken and sili leaves. I swear this has got to be the most brilliant pancit dish I’ve tried yet! Who would’ve thought that the combination would work so perfectly?

As for their specials, take a look at the Sinigang na Bagnet sa Watermelon (PhP395). One sip of the broth instantly showed me why it's a bestseller. This viand has just the right amount of sourness, thanks to the watermelon providing the balance in the flavors. The fact that chunks of bagnet swim sinfully in the soup makes this dish even better!

Speaking of bagnet, you must try the Bagnet Espesyal (PhP295): thick slices of crispy, tender bagnet served with KBL (tomatoes, shrimp paste, onions). I found this perfect with the flavorful Binagoongan Rice (PhP180/platter), which is like the ones you could order from Thai restaurants.

Until now I'm still craving for the Crispy Dried Shrimp and Sambal Kangkong (PhP140), which is an addictive, spicy mix of baby shrimps and kangkong leaves in a soy-based sauce. OMG, I want some now! The chef passed by our table and I asked him what else he would recommend, and he pointed at the Longganisa Tortang Talong Pancake (PhP160). Boy, was I glad we ordered this! BEST TORTANG TALONG IN MY LIFE! Chopped onions, tomatoes, salted egg, and the ground meat from longganisa sit atop the omeleta savory delicious mess!

Left: Crispy Dried Shrimp and Sambal Kangkong; right: Longganisa Tortang Talong Pancake
This summer, Simplé Lang also launched the Doublemint Sago’t Gulaman (PhP110), a refreshing pearl-and-jelly drink spruced up with the extracted flavors of Juicy Fruit Doublemint bubble gum. I loved the minty and sweet tastes of this summer drink!

A subtler version, using iced tea as the base, is also available—the Juicy Fruit Iced Tea (PhP95). If you like fruity drinks, there's a refreshing Watermelon Shake (PhP150) and a Mango Sago (PhP150), which I wish I had ordered for myself!

The Pinoy diner is not one who would skip dessert, and at Simplé Lang there’s an adequate selection. Try the Ube Leche Flan (PhP225): ube cake topped with a thick layer of leche flan. Heaven is finding two of your favorite Pinoy desserts together. The cake isn’t too sweet, even with the addition of chocolate drizzle and condensed milk. This is something I wouldn’t mind hoarding at all.

Of course, they also have the Halo Halo (PhP175), which is—for the non-Pinoy readers—a huge bowl of sago pearls, gulaman (jelly), sweetened mung beans, garbanzo beans, nata de coco, rice Krispies, sliced bananas, leche flan, ube halaya, and two scoops of ice cream. Simplé Lang’s version came topped with whipped cream and a cherry. I say, you can’t go wrong with this one.

For a sampling of inspired and innovative Filipino food and cooking, traipse over to Simplé Lang in Ayala Triangle Gardens and indulge in a comforting feast with your friends or family. What I loved the most about Simplé Lang is how it manages to deliver a familiar experience yet elevates it a few levels higher by adding a few twists and surprises you never thought of doing yourself—or you never had at home. Drop by for lunch if you work around Ayala, or schedule a weekend visit with your family for that “something new to try” item in your foodie bucket list. Whether you’re just hungry or you’re in a celebratory mood, Simplé Lang can definitely deliver.


 -------- And Now… The Giveaway! --------

I like forcing encouraging my friends to try things and places I really love, and I want to do the same thing with you with the Pancit Tinola (and the Sambal Kangkong, Bagnet, and Tortang Talong)! Want to try these awesome dishes from Simplé Lang? Just follow the simple instructions below to win PhP500 GCs which you can use to enjoy Simplé Lang’s delectable offerings.

Five (5) winners shall win one (1) PhP500 Simplé Lang Gift Certificate each!


How to Win:

  1. Share this post on Facebook with the hashtags #PepesBirthdayGiveaway and #DeliciousRaintreeSummer(Make sure that your Facebook post is set to "PUBLIC". Otherwise, your post will not turn up in hashtag searches.)
  2. In the comments (Disqus) section below, tell us about your favorite Pinoy dish. I know it’s hard to choose just one, but try! (You can comment using your Facebook account. Just log-in using your Facebook details. You may also leave your email address in the comment!)
  3. Like Simplé Lang and Pepe Samson on Facebook. (I will check!)

Who are Qualified:

  1. Anyone with a Facebook account.
  2. Anyone living in Metro Manila and nearby regions (Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, Cavite, and Batangas only).
  3. Anyone who loves awesome Filipino food!

THIS GIVEAWAY EXPIRES ON: 21 MAY 2015

Winners shall be contacted via Facebook/email. Spread the news!


-------- Winners of the Simple Lang Giveaway --------

Congratulations to the following:

  1. Krizzia Anne Pedrera
  2. Rhea Marquez
  3. Rnz Frago
  4. Lei Arceo
  5. Nats Francisco

Please claim your GCs directly from Simple Lang by presenting a valid ID. Check your Facebook for more instructions. Enjoy!


~*~
Simplé Lang
Ayala Triangle Walkways, Makati City
(02) 621.6162
10:00AM – 10:00PM
Budget: around PhP400/head

Have you tried Simplé Lang? How did you find their Pancit Tinola? Can you make/have you made your own version of this at home? Share a comment below!


If you like my posts and would love regular updates on travel photos, food finds, restaurant reviews, dance articles, and drunken tales, follow Pepe Samson on Facebook!

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10 comments :

  1. Krizzia Anne PedreraMay 11, 2015 at 2:16 AM

    My favorite Filipino food, especially during a rainy day is sinigang na baboy. I love it sour with the right balance of sweetness from ripe tomatoes and spiciness from finger chilies.

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  2. Loida Ramos BensonMay 11, 2015 at 6:24 AM

    i love tinola. cant wait to taste the pancit tinola.

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  3. One of my favorites is Kalderetang baka. I love the creamy spicy sauce.

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  4. Malou Dargo MalinaoMay 11, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    It's hard to choose just one. Hmmm.. My most favourite Filipino dish is Sisig!! I love the combination of salty, sour, and spicy taste that it gives plus its' crunchiness. Can't wait to taste their version of Sisig!!!!

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  5. I love Pork Sinigang since childhood days.

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  6. I love Bicol Express. Specially if it's extra spicy. Yum!

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  7. Had a hard time choosing 😂 but as far as my tummy's concerned, Bagnet will forever be one of my top choices. I always love to try Bagnet in different Restaurants. Also love Bagnet dishes that comes in a vinegar sauce :)

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  8. Nothing beats the pinoy food and adobo will always be my first love! I'm going to try to cook an adobo pasta soon! <3

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  9. My favorite Pinoy dish is sinigang-- sinigang na hipon/baboy/isda/manok sa sampalok/miso/kamias/bayabas... Anything sinigang is love! This dish plus hot steamed rice is a perfect meal :)

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  10. my favorite pinoy dish would be the kare kare, esp if it has the creamy nutty flavor. perfect with bagoong

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Let me know what you think!