The World of Bliss Cafe: A Vegetarian Adventure in Baguio
February 8, 2009 by lisa
Filed under restaurants & bars
The Cordillera Region supplies most of the Philippines’ daily requirement of fresh highland vegetables such as lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, potatoes and carrots, which are grown in abundance here because of the altitude, low temperatures and the fertile soil.
Visitors to Baguio City make it a point to bring home with them whole sacks full of assorted vegetables knowing, that for at least a few days, their families will be treated to naturally crisp, sweet and tasty greens, the best produce in all the land.
Naturally, visitors expect the Summer Capital of the Philippines to be a vegetarian’s haven and sometimes to their disappointment, find that there are few such restaurants to be found in the city, not realizing that the sometimes controversial Cordillera culinary culture prefers meat to vegetables.
Bliss Cafe is one vegetarian restaurant that conquers both the green and the red palates. It is the perfect Baguio restaurant to go to for true-green vegetarians, rabid carnivores like myself, health-conscious diners and regular folks who want to feast on really good food. With dishes like Vegetarian Chicharon mimicking the taste and texture, complete with a wonderful dipping sauce, of what would normally be a high cholesterol, sinfully fatty pork rind delicacy, followed by No Quack Duck, which dispels the myth that “if it looks like duck, tastes like duck, it must be duck,” this lovely spot of heaven in the City of Pines is not a place for just herbivores.
Everyday, a different selection of Heaven and Earth sets are offered in addition to the regular menu. Heaven sets are for those who prefer the taste of white meat, so the dishes usually mimic chicken or shrimp (there’s a Camaron Rebosado version made of cauliflower that tastes like the lightly breaded shrimp Filipino-Spanish dish) — I really love the No Quack Duck curry style — while Earth sets are those that mimic beef or pork like vegetarian Embutido, just as tasty but completely healthy.
A must try is the vegetarian barbecue which can be ordered either as a full meal (just order extra rice) or as a snack — or side dishes like Papadom, a thin, crisp, spiced Indian ‘bread’ made from lentil flour, eaten with chutneys as starters or accompaniments to a meal.
Personally, I find the Bliss Cafe vegetarian barbecue to be the best-tasting among all barbecues in the Philippines, including those made with real pork or chicken. The combination of a rich marinade and a light gluten simply makes for orgasmic taste buds.
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Wow! You had me at the vegetarian chicharon! Another thing to look forward to when I go visit.
Hiya Albert!
Jim says that 90% of their clientele is not vegetarian. Their chicharon is sooo comforting for us carnivores.
Definitely worth going to! Thanks again Lisa
hi lisa, reunion dao. rsvp naman para kung naandun e di oks! kung wala e di oks din lalo!!
oh i 4got i couldn’t nominate u as reunion organizer cuz u weren’t on FB. but what if u wanted to do it?
I was in Baguio over the weekend but tried nothing new.. I dined in restos where i was most comfortable eating alone – but with no regret of course. It’s just that I wish I read this article earlier than today. I’m not really a vegetable fanatic but that chicharon is so tempting, and the crepe looks yummy! Will try that when i get back on Feb 28. Hope it’s not too crowded though.
Hey Eugene & Kat,
Yup, keep Bliss in mind — it’s one of those restaurants that makes Baguio a wonderful place
Let us know how you like the place when you do get to try it. 
Hi Ida,
What reunion?! What FB? Am in Manila, just arrived from Dumaguete and will be back in Baguio for Valentine’s so let me know asap!
hi lisa,
missing you in baguio…..
Grace!
I will be back before Valentine’s Day (am still in Manila, just arrived from Dumaguete City) — will you still be there? Let’s go to watch Phantom on the Lake then dinner at Bliss?
Or will I be encroaching upon your romantic plans with NP?
Blissful place indeed…can’t wait to go back there again…
I would definitely go back to Bliss to try their veggie Chicharon. Thanks for bringing us there Lisa
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Happy Valentine’s Day!
i should have checked for your reply yesterday! haha…. wanted to see phantom on the lake, should have gone with you. hope you could do a feature on that. lets have a post valentines date then. missing bliss food too, especially seeing shanti and jim’s welcoming presence. and wanted to go back and check out their souvenir items as well.
see you soon lis…
Hey JM,
Yup, everything about the cafe is blissful, isn’t it? It’s not just good food, it’s actually a great dining experience!
Hiya Tina,
Remember how we caught them at their old location just when they were about to close it down (I somehow lost those photos I took then which is why this feature has come so late — when I clean up my computer I will find those precious photos of Little K). You should see what Jim, Shanti and friends did with this new location — it’s even nicer!
Hi Grace,
Post Valentines wou;d be great! Will call you in a bit as Manila’s calling me back down (as it usually does as soon as I get back up here — my uncle passed away last Saturday — got up Friday — and I have to go back down tomorrow or wednesday. Sigh …). Let’s do dinner ASAP!
Hi Lisa,
Where is the new location?
Hiya Tina,
Hotel Elizabeth lobby, Gibraltar Road. If you though the one at Munsayac Inn was pretty, this one is better.
That’s great! I heard the Hotel Elizabeth has a very welcoming front lawn. It’s also convenient from Wright Park. I hope they don’t mind us coming in smelling like horses…hehehe.
Hiya Tina,
I did not notice a front lawn, just a driveway. Nowhere we can park them horses.
Hi Liza,
Iam an OFW here in Ireland and my husband and I will be moving in Baguio City this October for good. I wonder if you could help me find Gluten Free Shops there in Baguio. Thank you and God Bless….. Thess
Hi Thess,
I would not know of any gluten-free shops. You should ask Jim Ward of Bliss Cafe about sourcing vegetarian ingredients, I suppose. He’s a sweet and helpful fellow.
Hi Lisa,
OMG! Those food looks yummy!!! I can’t wait to try them all (and I’m not a vegetarian)!!! I just wanna say I find ur site informative & entertaining. I hope I get the chance to thank u in person for the wonderful work u’ve done here. A million thanks for this site and also for the related links.
Hi Lea,
Bliss Cafe always has new items on the menu and the owners are lovely. Say hi to them for me when you go visit. Leave room for the crepe dessert.
Hi Lisa,
Im Eireen Diokno-Bernardo i am an eBay Specialist for the Philippines. Supposed to be I am going with Puchette Escano Oct 24 for her solo show in your cafe, but because of Pepeng and Ondoy the plan change. Im still going to Benguet State University Oct 24 2PM for eBay and Paypal Business workshop. I will also be in La Trinidad Mcdo 2PM for the onhand seller course workshop Oct 25. If you have time are is interested, you are welcome to come. I will make time to visit Bliss Cafe, your menu looks so outstanding. I would like to treat my self. I hope i can meet you personally.
My warm regards,
Eireen
Hi Eireen,
I do not own Bliss Cafe, am just a regular customer there. You may reach Jim and Shanti Ward at their multiply site.
im not a vegetarian but your post makes me drool!