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It was a sunny Sunday afternoon when #TeamDDI proceeded to try food from the buzzworthy 1953 Kusina Leticia. 

My first impression of the lot was that it was cozy and modern. The feel of the entire place was chic with modern Filipino motif dropped about. The white walls and the glass windows made the place feel open and welcoming. Kusina Leticia’s interior is definitely notable. 

The food, much like everything else about Kusina Leticia, impressed us as well. We were presented with three dishes: The Sisig Nachos, The Crispy Pata Kare Kare platter, and the incredible Sizzling Bulalo Steak.

The first one to arrive at the table was the appetizer: the Sisig Nachos. Hearing ‘sisig’ and ‘nachos’ together definitely made me raise my eyebrow. But 1953 Kusina Leticia boasts of serving traditional Filipino dishes with modern flair and this dish definitely embodies that. This presentation of the tortilla chips topped with crunchy pork bits sided with this cheese sauce was something that exceeded my expectations.

When it comes to nachos, I have a criteria: tortilla chip crunchiness, the taste of the sauce, and the amount of beef in it (or in this case, sisig). Their tortilla chips were exceptionally crunchy, they presented the consumers with two sauces: the chimichurri and the queso, both of which I liked. The meat to tortilla ratio was average. This is a dish for those who seek innovation and adventure.

The second dish to arrive was the Crispy Pata Kare Kare plate. This dish showcases their deconstructed Kare Kare with their take on the classic Crispy Pata. As you can see in the photo, the arrangement of the ingredients is neat and appetizing. Being a picky eater myself, I like the option of choosing what goes in my Kare Kare sauce. The Crispy Pata was crunchy and the meat was tender. It was cooked well and not at all rushed. This dish is perfect for family lunches or even date nights.

The third dish to arrive was the amazing Bulalo Steak. They serve it in a sizzling plate and I don’t know about you but sizzling plates just seem to make everything more appetizing, don’t they? Here’s a gif of the actual presentation of the bulalo steak for your viewing pleasure:

I am a fan of bulalo in a way that most Filipinos are fans of bulalo. My first word was “baloola”, trying to ask my parents for dinner that night. I’ve tried bulalo steaks before and I have to say that 1953 Kusina Leticia’s bulalo steak is a definite must-try. The meat is so tender it melts in your mouth, the sauce is tasty and its viscosity was perfect for rice coverage. (We didn’t try it with rice that day because diet kuno but boy, did we regret it.) The marrow was not at all malansa or too much. This dish is a new favorite of mine but I suggest bringing meds for those hypertensive readers. (Lol!)

The last dish they served us was their Tablea Truffle Cake. Just look at that beauty! I was initially intimidated by the idea of Tablea truffle but the moment I tasted the cake, all doubts were forgotten. The famous bitterness of the tablea was missing and what came was the incredibly rich taste of chocolate. The side of vanilla ice cream paired well with the richness of the truffle and it was the perfect way to cap off the meal.

They also have function rooms at the second floor. Their rates are the following: for 10 people, they charge Php 4,000.00. For 15, it’s Php 5,000.00 and for 25, it’s Php 8,000.00. All rates are good for 4 hours and is consumable.

Overall, I think 1953 Kusina Leticia is a great restaurant for family lunches and dinners, dinner dates and even business meetings. The place is chic and modern, the food is great and the service is great, too!

For more details about 1953 Kusina Leticia, visit their Facebook page here!