Crusted in Makati: Handmade Sourdough Pizzas with Bold, Comforting Flavors
In Makati’s vibrant dining scene, Crusted is winning over pizza lovers with its handmade sourdough pizzas, crafted with balanced flavors, quality ingredients, and a crust that is crisp on the outside and delightfully chewy inside.
Born from friendship, shared experiences, and a love for food that brings people together, Crusted is a young restaurant with a clear and heartfelt mission of empowering customers with better pizza options.
IMAGE from Crusted
Officially opened on October 8, 2024, Crusted was founded by siblings Johan Marfil-Tan and Jas Marfil together with their close friend Arriane Enriquez under their registered business name, JJAbiliter Inc. The name itself comes from the initials of the founders and the French word habiliter, which means “to empower” or “enable.”
IMAGE from Crusted
That sense of empowerment lies at the heart of the brand. After spending years working abroad and later returning to the Philippines in 2023, the founders began conceptualizing a business of their own, one that would reflect both their personal journey and the kind of food they genuinely wanted to share.
IMAGE from Crusted
Pizza became the natural choice. For them, it had long been part of celebrations, milestones, birthdays, and promotions, serving as a centerpiece for connection and joy. With Crusted, they wanted to create pizza that feels satisfying yet thoughtful, and a dining space where people can gather and make memories just as they once did.
While pizza may be rooted in Italian tradition, Crusted gives it a distinct local soul. The restaurant takes pride in offering handmade sourdough pizzas and housemade dishes, with several menu items infused with Filipino flavors and made using carefully prepared ingredients. This balance of comfort, creativity, and craftsmanship defines the Crusted experience.
IMAGE from Crusted
At the heart of Crusted’s menu are its signature pizzas, each one reflecting the restaurant’s handmade philosophy and creative spirit. Among its standout offerings is the Humba Pizza, a signature creation inspired by the Filipino classic.
Topped with slow-cooked Humba pork prepared in-house and laid over Crusted’s handmade sourdough crust, it captures the sweet-savory richness of a familiar local favorite in pizza form.
Humba Pizza (9″ – Php 490; 12″ – Php 780) / IMAGE from Crusted
The Creamy Spinach Pizza is another bestseller that has earned its place among the restaurant’s most recommended dishes. It is topped with a rich mixture of pure cream cheese and fresh spinach, notably made without added sugar or mayonnaise fillers. The result is creamy and satisfying without feeling overly heavy, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a rich yet balanced flavor.
Creamy Spinach Pizza (9″ – Php 490; 12″ – Php 780) / IMAGE from Crusted
For diners looking for something playful and hearty, the Burger Pizza offers a creative twist on comfort food. It comes topped with signature sauce, mozzarella, pure beef meatballs, pickles, caramelized onions, and cheesy sauce, bringing together familiar burger flavors on a handmade sourdough crust.
Burger Pizza (9″ – Php 490; 12″ – Php 780) / IMAGE from Crusted Ph’s Facebook page
Meanwhile, the Pesto Caprese Pizza presents a premium vegetarian option with a bright and balanced Mediterranean-inspired profile. Made with Crusted’s housemade pesto sauce, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and arugula, it delivers freshness and depth in every bite.
Pesto Caprese Pizza (9″ – Php 970) / IMAGE from Crusted Ph’s Facebook page
Beyond pizza, Crusted also offers a selection of dishes that carry the same commitment to quality and housemade preparation. One of its popular non-pizza offerings is the Truffled Linguine, a rich pasta dish coated in creamy white sauce and layered with shimeji, oyster, and shiitake mushrooms. Finished with truffle paste, white truffle oil, and parmesan cheese, it offers a deep, earthy flavor that appeals to those looking for something indulgent and comforting.
Truffled Linguine (Php 395) / IMAGE from Crusted Ph’s Facebook page
Another recommended dish is the Penne Pesto, which highlights Crusted’s housemade pesto sauce made with fresh basil, cashew nuts, and olive oil. Topped with chicken breast and parmesan cheese, it delivers a fresh, herbaceous flavor that feels both hearty and satisfying.
Penne Pesto (Php 395) / IMAGE from Crusted Ph’s Facebook page
To complement these dishes, guests may also try the House-blend Iced Tea, a refreshing beverage brewed from black tea and blended with real calamansi. Light and citrusy, it adds a refreshing local touch to the meal.
About Crusted’s Pizzas
Crusted describes its pizzas as contemporary Italian in style, but what sets them apart is how this foundation is interpreted through housemade components and local influences. Its sourdough pizza dough undergoes 24 to 48 hours of cold fermentation with approximately 68 to 69% hydration, producing a crust that is light, airy, and pleasantly flavorful. This long fermentation process helps create a balanced texture—chewy yet delicate, with enough structure to carry generous toppings.
A great deal of care also goes into the ingredients. Crusted emphasizes housemade components across its menu, with many meats and sauces prepared in-house. Its Humba, for example, is slow-cooked for four to five hours using muscovado sugar instead of refined white sugar, while the meatballs used for its Burger Pizza and Spaghetti Meatballs are made from 100 percent beef and seasoned naturally. The restaurant also prepares several sauces from scratch, including its pesto made with olive oil, fresh basil, cashew nuts, and garlic.
Its pizzas are baked in a gas brick oven at around 300 to 350°C, allowing the dough to develop a beautifully baked crust while preserving the character of the toppings. This method helps bring out the full potential of the sourdough base while giving the pizzas their appealing texture and flavor.
What makes Crusted especially unique is its intention to keep its food as natural as possible. The dough contains no additives or preservatives, allowing guests to enjoy each slice with greater confidence.
The team also enjoys experimenting with flavor combinations, as seen in creations like the Brownie S’mores Pizza, where the tang of the sourdough base balances the sweetness of the brownie topping, resulting in a flavor reminiscent of pandesal with chocolate. Although some ingredients are still store-bought, Crusted continues to work toward its long-term vision of making more items fully from scratch while keeping its food affordable despite its premium process and ingredients.
Brownie S’mores Pizza (9″ – Php 480) / IMAGE from Crusted Ph’s Facebook page
Events Reservations and the Man behind the Kitchen
For gatherings and celebrations, Crusted is also a practical venue option. While it does not have a dedicated VIP room, the restaurant can accommodate around 50 to 54 guests and accepts private event and function bookings for a few hours upon request. For groups of 31 to 50 guests, exclusive use of the restaurant is available at Php 18,000 for the first two hours, with an additional Php 3,500 charged for each succeeding hour.
IMAGE from Crusted
This makes it suitable for intimate celebrations, casual corporate gatherings, and special occasions centered around good food and shared moments.
IMAGE from Crusted
To help shape the menu, Crusted collaborated with R&D Chef and consultant Chef Gino Catalon, who played a key role in transforming their initial ideas into the dishes served today. Through his guidance, the team was able to refine its concepts, develop the first Crusted menu, and train its initial chef team for the soft opening.
Chef Gino Catalon / IMAGE from Crusted
In addition to dine-in service, Crusted also accepts bulk orders and event bookings, offering more flexibility for customers who wish to enjoy its food for larger occasions. Bulk orders are available through Viber at 0995 223 2348.
