Lingling Garden Restaurant — Restaurant in Pilar

Every time my niece and I pass the road to Ling Ling, my niece raves about wanting to enjoy a meal there. I understood her excitement after finally dining in for a light dinner.

Well, that was the intention, at least.

But we ended up with a platter of tofu with garlic, beef with sweet bell pepper, pork sisig, and assorted seafood with vegetables.

There were three of us, but Fr. R was off rice, so Kuya M and I shared a cup of rice. I'm happy to note we left no morsel on the serving dishes!

The tofu was soft, buttery, and perfectly seasoned, though I wondered at the copious amount of melted butter on the plate. The beef was tender, with a light and tasty sauce coating the meat.

While I did not try the sisig, I could tell my companions enjoyed the sizzling favorite because it disappeared fast from the table.

I'm saving the seafood with vegetables for last because I enjoyed it the most. It was steaming, with perfectly cooked, savory veggies and juicy strips of what I imagined was a squid.

We shared a pitcher of iced tea to round up a wholesome, filling meal.

Typically, I go for desserts first, but at Lingling Garden, I marveled at the simple decor and roomy areas for birthday celebrations (there were at least two loud bursts of happy birthdays in the half-hour we spent there.

I didn't even think of desserts.

People go there for the great ambiance. Our hut was clean, and there was a fan to ward off the heat.

The evening crowd was busy, but there was ample room for parking. Kudos, too, to the staff for prompt and efficient service. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes homecooked meals filling for the heart and...

Lingling Garden Restaurant in Pilar, Bataan, is a beloved local dining spot known for its comforting Filipino and Chinese fare. Nestled in a tranquil subdivision, this family-friendly venue offers a relaxed ambiance with bamboo huts, air-conditioned rooms for larger groups, and even karaoke for added fun.

The highlight here is undoubtedly the Crispy Pata—crispy, tender, and flavorful, earning it a reputation as the best in Bataan. Other standout dishes include buttered chicken with golden garlic bits, sweet and sour pork, and the rich and savory kare-kare. For dessert, the taro ice cream and buko salad are delightful treats. The adobong itik sa gata is also a must-try, praised for its rich and creamy flavour Service is generally quick and friendly, though it's advisable to visit during off-peak hours to avoid the weekend rush. The restaurant offers ample parking, clean restrooms, and both dine-in and takeout options. While not located along the main road, its reputation has made it a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.

Whether you're visiting after a tour of Mt. Samat or simply seeking a satisfying meal, Lingling Garden Restaurant provides a warm and flavorful...

Food:4/10 The food was satisfactory, but the Beef Kare Kare was below average due to the blandness of the sauce; shrimp paste is needed to enhance the flavor. Unfortunately, the shrimp paste was not properly cleaned, as I found plastic in it (as shown in the photos), which was unsanitary. The young chow fried rice had an unusual, jackfruit-like taste. Finally, the buttered chicken was simply fried chicken dipped in melted butter.

Service: 4/10

-The crew is very accommodating, but because the restaurant is quite large, serving food quickly can be challenging. You may experience a wait of 20-40 minutes for all your dishes to arrive, which is somewhat inconvenient.

Atmosphere:4/10 The restaurant is quite warm this summer. While they have an air-conditioned area, the cooling system seems insufficient. The building appears quite old, and it seems there haven't been any significant renovations over the years.

Considering its price, I find it rather expensive for the food's taste...