CERA - Upper Thomson

I have been writing about the vegetarian/vegan food scene in Singapore for many years now, and I am delighted to witness a significant increase in innovative and creative meatless eateries over the last couple of years.  In terms of 2013, CERA probably represents the most unique and captivating new vegetarian eatery in Singapore.  Having opened in July 2013, CERA is still new to the vegetarian game.  CERA offers a truly mesmerizing menu, unique ambiance and friendly humble service.  Is this the future of vegetarian dining in Singapore?  I'm not complaining...


CERA
Location: 906M Upper Thomson Road
Contact: 65542372
Opening Hours: Tue-Thur 12pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am, Sun 12pm-11pm.  Monday Closed.


The concept of CERA comes from the head of Beatrice Wee, 23, who has always had a fascination with dinosaurs since watching 'Land Before Time' at a young age.  Therefore, when she made the decision to launch a vegetarian restaurant, she decided to create a theme based around this.  The name 'CERA' comes from the ancient herbivorous dinosaur triceratops. On a side note, it is fantastic to see someone so young entering into the vegetarian eatery business.  Nowadays it seems like the youth of Singapore put money as their number one priority.  So to see someone following their heart, and doing what they are really passionate about is wonderful.


Let's now get to the important stuff.  The menu at CERA is completely 100% vegetarian.  For vegan customers (like myself) you will be happy to find a heady amount of options available.  This menu is undoubtedly the most unique menu I have ever seen in Singapore.  Instead of reciting all the dishes they sell, I advise checking out their website for a full guide to the dishes available.  For a more affordable option, CERA have a $10.90 set lunch (pictured), which I will definitely have to try next visit. 
Near to the cashier counter, there are a variety of vegetarian and vegan cakes, cookies, and ice cream that customers can drool over.  All the ice cream at CERA is totally vegan, most is made from brown rice.  The signature flavours are strawberry and dark chocolate.  Many other interesting flavours are available, such as chendol, peanut butter caramel and pistachio.


The first dish to arrive to our table was Curry Fries with Pumpkin Ice-Cream.  Ever been curious what a fusion between ice cream and french fries would be like?  Well, this dish answers that question.  Chef Beatrice concocted this dish based on her childhood preference for dipping her McDonald's fries into McFlurry.  The vegan pumpkin ice cream is mild and really captures the natural sweetness of pumpkin.  The french fries are infused with a number of spices, along with fresh curry leaves that have also been fried.  Curry leaves always give such outstanding aroma to any dish.  Prior to eating, I did have the mindset that ice cream and fries is probably a little too wacky for me.  However, after eating, I found the food combination did work quite well together.

Price: $9.00.     7/10


One of the many non-vegan options available is the Oyster Omelette, also known as orh-lua-lao-nua.  Traditionally, when buying vegetarian oyster omelette the chef will use mushroom to replicate the texture of oysters.  Interestingly, CERA use a leafy vegetable called oysterplant (Mertensia maritima), also known as sea bluebells.  This leafy vegetable provides a shockingly authentic oyster texture.  This vegetable is seldom used in Singapore, mainly due to its high cost, but certainly I hope it is used more. 

Price: $6.50.     9/10


Being a self-confessed pizza addict, I simply couldn't pass up the opportunity to sample one of CERA's interesting pizzas.  Dear CERA is the only vegan pizza, so by default that was the one I selected.  Instead of cutting the pizza into conventional triangle shapes, the chef cuts them into thin horizontal strips.  The customer is meant to place sprouts inside and roll up each strip of pizza to consume.  Ingredients included jalapenos, olives, capers and tomatoes can be found on top.  The tomato base for this pizza was deliciously zesty, and I loved the fact that capers were used (one of my favourite ingredients).  For future improvements, I would like to see a greater charring on the base and corners of the pizza, as currently the base is a little too soft and doughy.  This pizza contains onion.

Price: $15.00.     7/10


Although I don't have much of a sweet tooth, I was curious to try some of the desserts available at CERA.  All Things Mango is certainly a dish that lives up to its name.  Eating this dish is like a mini-exploration.  Customers will find dried mango, fresh mango, mango pudding and sago all swimming in a shallow mango puree pool. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of this dish are the two green cubes with raspberry on top.  These green cubes (known as pâté de fruit) are made out of pectin, sugar, lemon juice and mangoes, and had a sweet gummy flavour.  For those who don't subscribe to the 'less is more' philosophy, then probably you will feel the portion size is too small.  But those who prefer the delicate intricacies of flavour, matched with artistic presentation - Then this dish will appeal to you.

Price: $7.00.     7/10


Along with a fixed dessert menu, CERA also have a variety of cookies and cakes to choose from at the front of the restaurant.  These cookies and cakes are a mixture of non-vegan and vegan.  Pictured is the Vegan Chocolate Cake.  Making vegan desserts (especially cakes) is not an easy task.  Every vegan cake I've tried so far has a certain plastic taste, which even experienced vegan dessert cooks like Delcie can't escape.  This is one of the few limitations with cooking desserts without dairy or eggs.  Moving on from that though, this is a very rich and moist cake, with the centre layer of nuts providing a creating crunchy texture.

Price: $6.50.     7/10


Conclusion - With innovative and creative restaurants like CERA cropping up, it is impossible not to be optimistic about the future of vegetarian/vegan food in Singapore.  If you want special eateries like CERA to thrive, there is only one thing you need to do - Support!  I can't emphasize that word enough.

Overall Rating
Food - 7/10
Ambiance- 8/10
Service - 8/10
Value - 7/10