Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets in Westgate Center, Alabang celebrated its first anniversary last March 8, 2015. TUS’ Restaurant may look like just another modern European restaurant in the city, but wait until you step inside and you’ll be in for a treat! Owned by Maricar Sason and Chef Krsna Algenio (photo below), TUS (Spanish for “yours”) serves food in cazuela (Spanish clay cookware) and ceramic skillets. Considering the variety of interesting dishes they offer, this downright charming space can easily be your next favorite breakfast, lunch, and dinner haven.

Review ofΒ Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets (Westgate Center, Alabang)

Ambiance: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

“Cozy yet cosmopolitan” sums up the two-story TUS’ Restaurant as a perfect spot for romantic dates or even a reunion meal with your family on a weekend. Hardwood floors and good lighting lend an international feel, while wooden accents on furniture and decors show character and elegance that make you feel at home.Β I also love its Euro-hip ambiance filled with lots of quirky displays on the shelves and walls that make the place look even more unique and picture-friendly for the camera.

Service: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

As one would expect of a restaurant at this level, service was pleasant and remarkable. Above all, the servers here were responsive and eager to provide what the customers needed.

Food: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…

Appetizers

If you don’t like green food, do yourself a favor and break out of that shell even for a sec. πŸ˜› Tus’ Spinach Dip (PhP 220) is a must-try! Paired beautifully with bread, it appealed as hot and gooey and all that great stuff. Like a crowd-pleasing French take on the all-American spinach and artichoke dip, the Spinach Dip was made with tons of seasoned spinach blended with cream and topped with mozzarella cheese.

We also had the Jalapeno Croquettes (PhP 150) that were filled with mashed potatoes and jalapenos. These were insanely addictive and the accompanying cheddar cheese sauce ​rocked the taste just right. You may think of these croquettes as a carbohydrates-laden snack or a hearty helping packed with comfort.

Mains

Moving on to our mains, we were wowed by the size of the BLT Calzone (PhP 460). It appeared too big to be all eaten at once! With great fillings and solid texture, TUS’ folded pizza was a simple and straightforward rendition executed very well. It was stuffed with BLT (bacon, lettuce, tomatoes), mozzarella cheese and served with aioli sauceβ€”just what you think of when you imagine a great Italian calzone.

Next, we were served with three kinds of pot pies cooked upside down on a clay pot with a variety of ingredients, mozzarella cheese, and homemade dough. The Chicken Ranch (PhP 270) was made with pan-seared chicken tossed in alfredo sauce topped with homemade ranch dressing. Its filling, complete with cubes of chicken, was flavorful.

Topped with homemade sausage pizza with basil and marinara sauce, the House Sausage (PhP 390) was spot on. There’s a hint of a dash of spices in the sausage that made its flavor pop. The crust was also crisp and not too soggy and not too burnt.

For vegetarians, the Margherita (PhP 390) must be a hit. Baked with marinara sauce drizzled with olive oil, this pot pie was a delight in our palate, stopping just shy of filling our appetite. Toppings included freshly sliced tomatoes, fresh basil, and sea salt.

If you’ve been looking for a credible burrito, I can safely say that you’ll find one at Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets. Its Wet Beef Burrito (PhP 390) is highly recommended. Basically, it’s burrito rice and beef wrapped in a tortilla, lathered with tomato sauce, covered with mozzarella cheese and salsa, topped with sour cream and jalapenos. All ingredients were put together like a match made in heaven. Mmmmmm!

Now, we’re down to the steaks. Tus’ Skillet Steaks are quality rib-eye steaks cooked according to the customer’s done-ness and served with the choice of side: fries, smashed potatoes with gravy, butter, sauteed corn, or rice. You can’t go wrong with any of the following: Herbed Butter Steak (PhP 620) topped with a mix of fresh herbs and butter, Cheese and Onions Steak (PhP 660), and Spicy Lemon Pesto (PhP 660). Combining ultra glorious fifth taste, these cuts of meat were so rich, buttery, tender, and beefy that you really can’t resist to get a big hunk of the steak yourself. Savor, and not gorge. :mrgreen:

Desserts

Warm and chewy, the Half Baked Cookie (PhP 180) was gooey and creamy. I appreciated that it wasn’t too sweet but just sweet enough. The flavor boasted nice notes of chocolate (kinda like Milo in powder form). Eating the half baked cookie with ice cream was extremely satisfying. There’s no wonder that it got lots of compliments from our table.

Tus’ Tiramisu (PhP 220) was moist and decadent, with the familiar taste of coffee-and-cream. If you’re not concerned to welcome summer with a dent on your diet, all you have to do is dig in and devour.

Drinks

Finally, for our drink, we shared a pitcher of Pineapple Float (PhP 445). What seemed to be an innocent pineapple juice was anything but. It’s pineapple juice with scoops of vanilla ice cream! Ahh… it’s so good. There’s not much more that needs to be said.

To view more items on TUS Restaurant’s menu, click here.

Price for Value: β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜†

Tabs are quite on the expensive end, but payoffs include a marvelous team of staff, high quality food, and the privilege to dine in with style. Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets’ location may be pretty out of way for some (1-2 hours drive from Manila in my case), but this gem in Alabang is worth the trip for superior variants of modern European fare and an overall relaxing meal. It’s a good idea to book ahead or make a reservation in advance. Enjoy! πŸ™‚

D1 Westgate Center, Commerce Avenue cor. Filinvest Avenue Alabang, Muntinlupa City
For inquiries, contact (02) 828-3178 or +63917 5680964
Date Published: 03/16/2015
19 / 20 stars

Operating hours:
Mon-Thu 8:00AM-2:00PM, 5:00PM-9:30PM
Fri 8:00AM-2:00PM, 5:00PM-10:00PM
Sat-Sun 8:00AM-10:00PM

About 

Health and technology freak. Food and lifestyle blogger with a large appetite for food and travel.

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105 Responses

  1. Jeremy

    Omg… my mouth is literally watering from reading this post! This food looks so delicious, you must have loved every minute of this review lol πŸ˜€

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yeah haha I was craving for each of those dishes while writing the review since I was trying to remember the tastes as well as the experience. Oh! This restaurant is lovely and everything is a must-try! πŸ™‚

      Reply
  2. mindy

    Ohhh, i’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, i’m a huge steak person and i began salivating instantly when i saw the pic above hahaha. Looks super duper yum! (i’m gonna demand for a steak dinner soon now *LOL*). And the half baked cookie OMG, i wanna try! I always like soft baked cookies (crunchy ones are so not for me), so this one looks heavenly!!! Thx for making me hungry, Roch *stare*. LOL

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha well well… you must take note of TUS. πŸ˜› Decor is unique and well thought out. Service is friendly and on point. This should be a priority for anyone looking for a good steak in Alabang. That’s all. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  3. Robin (Masshole Mommy)

    Another great restaurant review. I think the food at this place looks absolutely amazing. It sounds like a great place to eat.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Thanks, Robin! The place is electric with diners enjoying their meals and company. No question – this is the place to be. Based on our experience, it’s no wonder.

      Reply
  4. Alli

    It would be difficult to decide what to order. It all looks delicious – from the spinach dip to those amazing desserts. I would definitely try one of the pot pies cooked on the clay pots.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Yup, from the starters, main courses, down to the desserts and drinks – all selections worked! You’ll definitely have a wonderful dining experience here. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  5. mr_jeng

    I enjoyed all the dishes, that we tried. But special mention to these: The Chicken Ranch was the bomb! I enjoyed having that, with every bite! I totally enjoyed the desserts as well. Love the half baked cookie!!@ Wohooo!!!!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Hehe I love everything about the experience. I’m glad to have said yes to the invite even though Alabang is far away from home. πŸ™‚ TUS is simply iconic!

      Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      You know a place is good when your mouth waters just because you’re reviewing it right? TUS has a bit of an upscale ambiance which makes me feel the need to dress up a little but it’s worth it for the food. Spinach dip was super good!

      Reply
  6. CourtneyLynne

    omg this restaurant sounds pretty amazing!!! And that spinach dip!!! Droolsssss!!!!! Wish this place was closer!!

    Reply
  7. Victoria

    I made the mistake of looking at this post while hungry. Now I want to try all the food. When I see spinach dip on a menu I always want to try it when out with friends.

    Reply
  8. Cara (@StylishGeek)

    The food photos are wonderful. Makes me feel really hungry…specially for that spinach dip and Jalapeno Croquettes! This place sounds amazing! πŸ™‚

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Great choices! Each bite was like the first and last rolled into one. Each hint of perfection went down like mmmmmm… absolutely delicious. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  9. Kori

    This looks like my kind of restaurant! I love the menu choices and the ambiance looks very cozy yet modern.

    Reply
  10. Tammilee Tips

    That bread looks amazing that is one of my favorite parts of meals!! This looks like a great restaurant to go to on a date or to meet a girlfriend for dinner! All of the food looks amazing!

    Reply
  11. Chubskulit Rose

    Why oh why you are making me drool every time, lol. I have never had a croquette before and those looks delicious! All of these actually looks sumptuous!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      A good rule of thumb is to invite a bunch of friends when you’re planning to dine here so you can taste more food in one go–and share the bill. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  12. Amy @ Will Run For Ice Cream

    Now, this definitely looks like a place that I could totally enjoy! The food looks delicious. You had me at appetizer. I love jalapenos πŸ˜‰ And my sweet tooth was totally wanting the desserts. I would love a half baked cookie right now!

    Reply
  13. Ricci

    That’s a gorgeous little restaurant. It looks like someone’s home, very cozy! The food looks amazing also!!

    Reply
  14. Pamela

    I’m ready to go eat there right now. I’m a vegetarian, and I think I would put it down for one night of the food. Everything looks awesome!

    Reply
  15. Elizabeth O.

    I love how the food was presented! Everything looks so nice, rustic and delicious! Yum!

    Reply
  16. Marjorie

    I loved Butamaru, but I enjoyed our dinner with TUS more because there was just too much food on the table haha… I know there are many restos along Westgate Mall but when I go back to Alabang I’d probably still choose Butamaru and TUS. I believe there’s so much about these two restos that we still need to discover. And oh yeah, that half-baked cookie still haunts me in my dreams. It’s just too good!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Haha wow. I’ll also pick those two and some other restaurants which have not yet established a good presence in Manila area. I’m actually looking forward to a return visit here. Grabe, everything talaga was good. The ratings say it all. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  17. Roselynn

    Everything looks so incredibly delicious, I wouldn’t know what to choose from! The Jalapeno Croquettes really stood out to me though, I’d definitely would love to try them out myself.

    Reply
  18. Lynndee

    Love the look of that restaurant – so sleek. And you had me on those desserts. They’re definitely mouth-watering!

    Reply
  19. brook devis

    oh my God. i am totally loving these beautiful corners places etc. i want ot eat all that stuff i see in pictures. these post is beautiful but also yammi πŸ˜€

    Reply
  20. Donna Ward

    Each meal sounds and looks amazing at Tus’ Clay Pots and Skillets and the atmosphere is yes – has that wonderful modern feeling about it – very different from my area in the alpines!

    Reply
  21. Bonnie @ wemake7

    Oh wow! All this food looks so good! It also looks like a really nice and pleasant place to have a meal.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Overall, this is one of the few dining experiences where I would gladly pay for the experience, the food, the service, and wish I could go back again and again.

      Reply
  22. Yona Williams

    Seriously, EVERYTHING featured in this post looks mouth-wateringly good. My favorites are the spinach dip and the pizza. Oh, and how can I forget the dessert and pineapple drink!

    Reply
  23. Jesica H

    I love the Big home family atmosphere it has. It reminds me of the Parenthood series for some reason! The food looks absolutely mouth watering! Thanks for making my stomach growl!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I don’t have the slightest clue on the Parenthood series, but whatever it is, I’m glad you love how the atmosphere here appears to be. It’s better in real life. πŸ™‚ You must drop by and check out these items soon!

      Reply
  24. Krystal

    This sounds like a great place to experiment with new kinds of foods! This Jalapeno Croquettes that are filled with mashed potatoes and jalapenos is something like I have NEVER had before. I would totally love to try this or recreate my own. YUM!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      It was not just a meal; it’s a true dining experience for us. TUS might get cramped on a busy weekend night so make sure you have reservations. πŸ˜€

      Reply
  25. Chrystal @ YUM eating

    I love that this place has normal size portions. That is really hard to come by around here unless we eat at a tapas (small plates) restaurant. All of this looks amazing.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      If you’re looking for an amazing steak and ambiance in Alabang, TUS is definitely the place to go. It’s certainly has its own unique dining experience.

      Reply
  26. ma Ibbott

    I am always amazed at your reviews they always cover everything you need to know. The pictures of the food look really good. The deep dish pies look so yummy.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      I can’t decide which would be my favorite because all of them were really delicious. It is an excellent place for a date night, anniversary or special occasion.

      Reply
  27. Lauren Harmon

    This restaurant looks absolutely amazing! I really want to dig into that spinach dip and the bread that comes with it looks perfectly baked! Those steaks definitely caught my eye as well!

    Reply
  28. Rosey

    It really does look cozy but cosmopolitan! I think the food looks great. I think both of those pairs of shoes are awesome too!! (It had to be said). πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  29. HilLesha

    Wow, the food looks delectable in every sense of the word! I wish there were a restaurant like this within my vicinity.

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      So clearly I am a fan and if you have the chance to try it, I can guarantee that you will be, too. Just make sure to leave room for dessert, to top off your perfect steak dinner. πŸ™‚

      Reply
  30. Breanna

    Oh my goodness! My mouth is watering. The pictures are gorgeous – though I’m sure they don’t do it justice! πŸ™‚ What an amazing place! I love the atmosphere. So inviting!

    Reply
    • Rochkirstin Santos

      Oh yes. πŸ™‚ This restaurant should be considered a “destination restaurant” by anyone who enjoys a great dining experience. You must try the food!

      Reply

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