Davao has never been healthier, or so I think it is.
Recently, I’ve noticed that there is a growing community of health conscious and physically active individuals in Metro Davao. From increasing number of pickleball courts and number of marathons held almost every month to a steady emergence of restaurants that are vegetable-forward or position themselves as healthier dining alternatives, shows that Davaoeños are paying closer attention to their health and lifestyle choices.
However, when it comes to special occasions and celebrations, there is still a market gap for restaurants that cater to diners who want to eat mindfully without having to sacrifice the celebratory experience.
And this is where Made Simple Restaurant comes in. They offer a dining experience that bridges the gap between eating mindfully and celebrating life’s special moments.
Made Simple Davao may not be for everyone, but it is for everyone. If that makes sense at all.
It’s a restaurant that will likely appeal more to people who follow specific diets, have dietary restrictions, or just simply conscious on what goes on their plates. But at the same time, the philosophy behind every dish curated on their menu is something everyone can appreciate.
After all, we could all benefit from eating more vegetables and being more mindful of our food choices. Eating healthily doesn’t have to mean depriving ourselves from good food. Made Simple Davao breaks it down simply – finding balance.
Personally, this is what makes Made Simple deserving to have a place in Tatler Asia’s list of restaurants here in Davao. It delights diners the same wine-and-dine experience without relying heavily on usual indulgent, meat-heavy menu. As Filipinos, celebration always have to mean indulgence on meat, liquor, and vegetable rarely becomes the star. With Made Simple, it doesn’t take away the pleasure of dining; it simply offers a different perspective on what an elevated dining experience can look and taste like.
Beyond the dishes, this philosophy resonates throughout the restaurant. From the way they curate their menu to the interior design, atmosphere, and overall dining experience, every element seems thoughtfully designed around the idea that mindful dining can be just as enjoyable, sophisticated, and elevated.
Menu
Photo of Menu may be outdated. Please refer to their actual menu for current price.
Food Review
Made Simple Davao is an interesting restaurant concept that I have admittedly shied away from for quite some time. I, personally, have this preconceived notion that vegetable-forward dishes or vegan options cater to a specific target market, a market that I thought I don’t belong to.
But I am proven wrong, time and again whenever I try to make an effort to explore more of what Davao’s food scene can offer. Restaurants like Made Simple continue to push the boundaries of flavors and creativity and challenges our notion of what good food should be.
Sometimes, it all just takes one bite to open the mind.
Note: There are two individual raters for this, and scores were averaged.
Enoki – 10/10 (10,10)
We started our meal with an order of their small plate made of Enoki mushrooms. It is beautifully arranged into what looks like a towering hill of blooming enokis. They have presented a simple appetizer but presented it in a way that it provided the dish a character.
There are other restaurants who serve fried enoki mushrooms so it’s not totally new. However, I do enjoy the presentation of putting it like a hill instead of just placing it as it is.
While the flavors are relatively simple, the texture is what makes the dish shine. There are people who enjoy taste and there are people who enjoy texture. This one serves both.
Having prepared enoki at home, you’ll have familiarity on how slippery and slimy its mouthfeel is when not cook right. I don’t particularly enjoy this texture, and I am always keen when ordering dishes with enoki on them. However, Made Simple prepared their enoki perfectly just as how I liked it to be. It is perfectly crisp and still remained the natural tenderness of the mushroom taking away that slimy texture I dislike.
The batter itself is fairly simple, but this works into the advantage of the dish. It doesn’t overpower yet a strong complement to the garlic aioli. The dip has a pronounced garlic flavor, with a little hint of tang that I associate with calamansi. Together, it becomes a dish in perfect harmony. Simple dishes when crafted right, can be a 10 too.
Scampi Pasta – 8/10 (9,7)
Their Scampi Pasta is an enjoyable dish, with a little twist from the paprika that gives it a noticeable kick of spice. It’s an interesting touch that adds another layer of flavor to what you’d typically expect from a scampi pasta.
The shrimp deserves a mention, too. They’re generously portioned, succulent, and have a satisfying bite to them. There’s also a distinct oceanic flavor from the shrimp that comes through quite strongly. What makes the pasta somewhat addictive is that lingering tingle of spice. It keeps you coming back for another forkful. It’s like trying to push your tongue’s tolerance for heat and spice with each bite.
While it’s generous in portion and enjoyable overall, it’s not necessarily a dish that will leave you in awe. Still, it’s a good plate of pasta that delivers on flavor and adds additional excitement to the overall spread.
Fish and Capers – 10/10 (11,10)
I don’t usually order fish dishes when dining on upscale restaurants because I have a bias towards red and pink meats. A lot of restaurants only offer salmon or cream dory for fish dishes, and I don’t really like both. I often find myself thinking that I’d rather order or splurge on a good piece of beef or pork to enjoy a nice dinner. Somehow, I have this mindset of “Why should I pay that much for fish when it’s just fish?”
But after trying Made Simple’s fish and capers, it truly opened my palate and my mind. It turned me into a fish convert making me more adventurous in exploring fish varieties and preparation whenever I get the chance. Their fish and capers are made out of mahi-mahi fish which has solidified my realization that this is my favorite fish to eat.
Their fish and capers is a little pricey considering the portion size, though admittedly it’s because I wanted more of it and I shared it with my partner. What it lacks in quantity, it truly compensates in the quality and flavors.
The smoky flavor is what really stands out. It’s almost like enjoying a freshly caught fish, perfectly grilled over good wood somewhere on a quiet island. There’s a beautiful smokiness that permeates the fish without overpowering its natural flavor. The texture is just as impressive: perfectly grilled, tender, and moist without being dry.
Every element in the dish was thoughtfully put together. The subtle freshness of the dill adds another layer of flavor without overpowering the fish while the capers briny and slightly tangy character perfectly cuts through the smokiness. The small potatoes add a delightful bite and contrast to texture while the sauce brings a delicate sweetness that ties everything together. Nothing really feels out of place, and you can imagine how much thought goes through to create a harmony of this dish.
And this is exactly why I’d give this dish a solid 10/10, with my partner even taking it a step further and rating it an 11/10. For a fish dish, it certainly exceeded my expectations and challenged my usual mindset about ordering fish at upscale restaurants. If anything, it reminded me that a well-executed fish dish can be just as indulgent, memorable, and worth the splurge as a good steak.
Torrijas (Brunch) – 10/10 (10,10)
Made Simple, apart from being known as a vegetable-forward restaurant, is known for its brunch selection. So, we did not hesitate to add brunch dishes to our tab.
Torrijas is an intriguing dish for me. It’s unusual and not offered in other restaurants. It is a Spanish delicacy equivalent to French Toast. Some articles on the internet mentioned that this is a usual treat served during Lent season in Spain. It’s traditionally made out of bread, milk, egg, and spices that are different from French toasts (as French toasts usually just have cinnamon and sugar).
This is so intriguing to me so we ordered one and we absolutely love Made Simple’s version of Torrijas. Their torrijas is plant-based.
I absolutely love the texture of their bread. It reminds me of a crumbly bread, with a soft and moist texture that makes every bite enjoyable. There’s a certain lightness to it that makes it easy to enjoy and it’s not overly sweet or saccharine. I could be mistaken, but I suspect some of the sweetness comes from the whipped cream, which seems to have a natural sweetness with a hint of carrot. If that’s indeed the case, it’s a lovely touch that adds another layer of character to the bread.
Lastly, what brings everything together is the spiced sauce poured over the bread. It has a caramel-like consistency and sweetness, with a gentle warmth. I could be mistaken, but I picked up notes of cinnamon and perhaps a hint of cardamom, giving the sauce a subtle spice that complements the bread beautifully. It’s also sprinkled with sea salt which heightens the flavors.
While each component is enjoyable on its own, it’s when you bring them all together that the dish really shines. The bread, whipped cream, and spiced sauce work harmoniously, creating something far more delightful than the sum of its parts.
Pesto Eggs (Brunch) – 8.8/10 (9,8.5)
Personally, I think this Pesto Egg dish is something every pesto lover should try. It’s one of those dishes that’s hard to be disappointed with. Despite its simplicity, bringing together just eggs, pesto, and potatoes, it’s a lovely combination of a meal to start your day.
The potatoes are generously portioned, providing sufficient carbs to boost your energy for the day. They’re baked and crisped to perfection. A nice contrast of crispy exterior and soft and tender center. I also love that the eggs are prepared in the traditional Filipino style favorite, with the yolk a little runny or as we call it ‘malasado’ while the edges are crispy.
I am not a pesto fan but their pesto is something I genuinely enjoyed as it is not overwhelming to the palate.
Restaurant Rating – 4.7/5
Food:
So, while not every dish received a perfect score, Made Simple is one of the restaurants that I appreciate the thought and intention behind every dish served. It’s amazing how simple ingredients can come together in harmony to create food so memorable and delicious.
Of the five dishes we ordered, every dish was consistently impressive. Flavors were memorable and something I would crave or think about for days. The presentation and showmanship also deserve recognition. The experience was enjoyable visually as it is gastronomically.
I particularly appreciate the balance of flavors and textures. Most of the dishes were thoughtfully executed. Every element goes in harmony and not just placed there for artistic purposes.
Another thing worth mentioning is how after the meal, despite eating five dishes, I didn’t left the premise feeling heavy or gross from eating.
Despite being on the pricier side, I’d still be willing to spend on again as it offers something that no other restaurants can offer (at least for now): a restaurant where vegetable-forward dining doesn’t feel like a compromise but an experience worth seeking out.
Value for money:
Value for money for me has never been solely about affordability.
For me, it’s the return I get for what I’m paying for. It’s when a restaurant delivers in quality, presentation, consistency, satisfaction, and how it goes against its competitors within the same price bracket.
While I do agree it is on the pricier side, I believe there’s more to what you’re paying for than just the portion size of what’s on your plate. You’re paying for premium quality ingredients, thoughtfully curated and well-intentioned menu, and the passion and artistry poured into preparing and presenting each dish.
When measured against restaurants I’ve tried within the same price category, I believe Made Simple can hold its own. Not only does it offer a wine-and-dine experience, but I find that the philosophy behind vegetable-forward dishes and providing options for people following certain diets is what sets them widely apart from other restaurants. This is why I think it is deserving of recognition such as Tatler Dining’s selection.
Location:
I also appreciate Made Simple’s location. It’s accessible and has convenient parking, although the parking spaces are shared with other establishments within the compound.
The restaurant itself has a quiet and serene atmosphere, which I find particularly appealing. It’s not noisy or overwhelming, making it a lovely spot to enjoy a slow morning over a good breakfast. The interiors are also well-aligned with the restaurant’s overall concept. The predominantly white palette gives the space a clean energy to it, while maintaining a touch of elegance and sophistication. It manages to feel both inviting and elevated without being overly extravagant. It’s as their restaurant name is – the interior and ambiance made simple.
However, one thing that took away from our overall dining comfort was the temperature inside the restaurant. During our mid-afternoon visit, it felt rather warm, almost as if the air-conditioning wasn’t functioning at its best. It was a little uncomfortable, particularly when you’re hoping to enjoy a leisurely meal.
That said, I consider this a minor setback rather than a dealbreaker. It’s something that can be addressed and improved, and doing so would make an already enjoyable dining experience even better. To be fair, the restaurant is situated on the second floor, with its location facing the afternoon sun. It was particularly hot that day, which may have contributed to the temperature inside. Still, I hope they can find a way to keep the dining area comfortably cool, especially during warmer afternoons.
Service:
I also genuinely enjoyed the customer service at Made Simple. The servers were knowledgeable, attentive, and very helpful throughout our visit. What stood out was how their servers went out of their way to help us capture better photos of our meals. They offered additional lighting by putting up lamps and adjusting the lights and even helped position the dishes to get better shots. I genuinely appreciated these little gestures.
And this wasn’t done exclusively for our table. I noticed them extending the same assistance to other diners as well. It’s a small but thoughtful detail that says a lot about how they approach customer service. This is an independently written review, and I wasn’t expecting or asking for any special treatment. Their willingness to help guests simply made the experience more memorable.
If there’s one area where I think the service experience could improve, it would be the restaurant’s temperature management. During our mid-afternoon visit, we found the dining area rather warm. I also noticed that the air-conditioning settings were adjusted as more diners arrived, although the temperature remained a little uncomfortable for us.
Given the quality of the food and the overall dining experience they’re offering, I hope this is something they can look into.
Overall, the team made us feel welcome, and their attentiveness contributed positively to our visit.
Variety:
They offer unique dishes and a diverse selection of options that you don’t easily find in other restaurants. It’s also great that they have a brunch menu, with an extended brunch period that gives diners more flexibility to enjoy a leisurely morning meal or just enjoy breakfast food even after breakfast time.
I also love how thoughtful the menu is. Each dish comes with descriptions and clear options or labels for those looking for 100% plant-based, gluten-free, or vegetarian selections. At the same time, you can enjoy even if you don’t subscribe to any specific diets.
While the menu isn’t particularly extensive and the dessert selection is somewhat limited, I wouldn’t say that it lacks variety. There’s still a good enough range of dishes to choose from, and I appreciate that the menu feels curated rather than unnecessarily large.
Recommendations
Enoki – I love the texture and simple flavors to start the dish
Fish and Capers – absolute favorite! The smoky mahi-mahi is something I still think and crave.
Torrijas – such a delicious way to end the meal. It’s spiced caramel-like sauce and balanced sweetness is great for wanting to enjoy something sweet but wanting something less sinful.
Information
- Payment Method: Cash, Mobile wallet/E-wallet, Credit Card
- Budget: P1,500-P2,000 for 2 pax
- Type: Vegetable-forward, All-day Brunch
- Facebook Page: Made Simple
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