Bliss Garden

Bliss Garden reminds me of the Chinese restaurants of my childhood, and the food tastes the most like American Chinese from what I’ve managed to try here. China Garden was my childhood venue. The proprietress knew all of our names, and gave us Chinese Zodiac place mats and extra fortune cookies when we would come. My parents would let us pay the bill there, which made me feel adult. It was always a fun, interactive family experience. I’ve found over my life that if there is a Garden in the name then it’s trustworthy.
At Bliss Garden, the owner is always there and is just as kind and hospitable. He speaks several languages, and personally addresses customers, creating an atmosphere that is warm and friendly. If you order the Peking Duck, he comes to your table and carves it up for you. I recommend the Peking Duck. It comes with crepes and a thick plum based sauce. Two people can easily go through one.
For other dishes — they have the best Hot and Sour soup I’ve had in a very long time. Warning — it is spicy. The rest of the dishes are poultry, pork, beef or fish based, (I suppose there are vegetable ones too) and there are four or five dishes for each meat group, which indicates to me that they do each one well. The sauces are thick and rich, not these watery gravies that are common in other places. I’ve tried the Sesame Chicken, and most of the plum-​based sauce dishes. The portions are small, but shareable. The price to quality/​quantity ratio is satisfying.
To find Bliss Garden you have to go down to the fountain square in Mariensztat, look up the hill toward the line of buildings at the back of the square and go to the far right side where the entrance is. Basically, this place makes me feel warm, fuzzy and nostalgic. The food is good and I’m not afraid of getting something different or trying different menu items. It’s a great place to take your family or to go on a romantic date and share some golden duck. It makes me happy — blissful even.