The World of Bliss Cafe: A Vegetarian Adventure in Baguio
February 8, 2009 by lisa
Filed under restaurants & bars
Of course those with a mainstream palate (read as “unadventurous”) will find a good selection of pastas and salads to try, but these are easily found in other restaurants, of course. The delightful thing about Bliss is discovering how Shanti Ward, who is boss of the kitchen (while her husband Jim is the one who calls himself “the GRO” or Guest Relations Officer) can create different dishes that rock one’s palate.
I would recommend that first-time visitors try the complete set meals, Heaven or Earth. These cost about Php200.00 — not bad! Then there are the other mainstays of the menu — the Seoul set comes complete with vegetarian kalpi, a viand similar to the Filipino pork tocino, kimchi of course, white rice while the Mexico set has a veggie burrito, Spanish rice and salsa. Both meals come with dessert and a choice of beverages (usually a nice, dry Chai tea or a glass of soy milk or dalandan juice).
And of course, there’s the perfect ending, the Bliss Crepe, which is more of a pancake topped with your choice of fruits, mango, banana and/or strawberries with maple-cinnamon syrup, crushed nuts, whipped cream and ice cream.
Tip: I always start with this luscious dessert, and have another one after my main course if there’s still some room. The crepe comes in two sizes now, full and mini, and guess what? I have both full crepes usually!
A recent addition to the Bliss Cafe menu is mini banana turones which, technically, is a dessert but I also like eating the bite-size pieces on the side along with my main course.
This is why this carnivore (my family owns and runs a steak house in Metro Manila) is hooked on Bliss Cafe: on top of fabulous tasting food that has the taste and texture of meat and the likes of which one will not find anywhere else in the Philippines, Jim and Shanti Ward are such a warm and fun couple who make their guests feel welcome all the time.
Their warmth and artistry is reflected on the beautiful design of their vegetarian restaurant, the activities that they are constantly creating like weekly art movie nights or themed events like that special night they had Sing India perform, playing traditional Indian songs of course with Cynthia Alexander as special guest, complemented by a taste bud-popping vegetarian Indian buffet, or art exhibits by painters who come from Manila and other areas in the Philippines.
And how much will this taste of heaven set you back for? Bliss Cafe is unbelievably reasonably priced, the vegetarian chicharon comes in two sizes 100 and 70 pesos, the barbecue is about 75 pesos, the set meals are 200-250 (highly recommended!), the large Bliss Crepe is 100 pesos (share the first one as a starter, share the second one as a dessert, if you like), the large chocolate flavored soy magic that I always have two orders of, about 70 pesos.
In my book, Bliss Cafe is tops — an exciting menu, superb food quality, tastefully decorated (oh, I haven’t even started on the interesting collection of Asian art that Jim has slowly accumulated through his 40 years living in Asia, value for money, parking of course, and a lovely crowd in an intimate setting where new customers are made comfortable by friendly regulars (and Jim the GRO, of course).
Bliss Cafe is serenely exciting, a wonderful blend of Shanti’s Eastern flavors with Jim’s Western enthusiasm. Bliss Cafe is one restaurant that will make folks want to visit Baguio over and over again.
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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!