“Our mission is to share Bliss by nourishing our thriving community with wholesome, energizing foods & experiences.”
-Co-Owners: Kyle Fintel, Palaka Sauer, Dara Stepanek, and David Fintel
Evolution is on the horizon.
Our brick & mortar restaurant of 12 years in Downtown San Luis Obispo ceased daily food service operations on Sunday Feb 4, 2024. We continued to serve our fresh food and flavors on Thursday evenings at Downtown SLO Farmers Market and deliver to your door via Harvestly until June 28, 2024. We continued to nourish the community through Cooking Classes, Catering, & Recipes until December of 2025.
We acknowledge that for some of our loyal clientele - especially those who enjoyed our food daily - this may be heartfelt news. Thank you all for being part of a growing and thriving community. Our service has been to generate opportunities for a blissful future, and it has been an honor.
THE
JOURNEY
BEGINS . . .
The original Bliss Ship
Two Partners Meet
In 2011, David, a Cal Poly student, organizes & produces an awareness benefit concert for Haiti Relief Fund while Palaka, a local restaurant owner/chef, agrees to be a food vendor at the event. The event gets rained out, but a lifelong relationship forms.
Food Truck Adventures Turn into A Lifelong Dream
SLO County has a hearing to allow Bliss to be the first mobile food facility in SLO!
The 2013 Ribbon Cutting (David Fintel with scissors; Palaka Sauer on left)
Vegan Community Staple
In 2012, David and Palaka officially partner and find their first dining location in Downtown San Luis Obispo. Mayor Jan Marx attends our Grand Opening Celebration in The Network in 2013. Bliss produces the First Official Vegan Week in SLO in 2014.
Family Business
In 2018, the Bliss ownership team expanded to include two high school math teachers, Dara & Kyle. Kyle, David’s brother, remained in the classroom and has been the company’s steadfast bookkeeper (and occasional dishwasher). Dara, after learning the business from the ground up, became the President and General Manager of Bliss.
Transition
In fall of 2024, Dara returned to the classroom in favor of offering our flavors and knowledge via Catering & Recipes.
