If you check out the slightly tricky graphics of the signage for Shift Eatery you’ll note that the feel is contemporary, with a technological edge. This is not how, in the past, you’d try to sell people on vegetarian (or vegan) food. But it’s evident they’re trying to *shift* people’s ideas and consciousness away from old-fashioned restaurants with names like Green Goddess Harvest Bounty Cafe or We Don’t Kill Animals Lentil Shack to something else. Or perhaps they’re just fitting in with the Surry Hills hipster vibe.
We were impressed the moment we arrived, on a rainy Wednesday at noon. It was busy and by the time we left really crowded. There seemed to be a buzz about the place. We had some very tasty coffees (mine with macadamia milk) and I couldn’t pass up trying the raw zucchini pasta with red pesto. My god, it was soooo tasty. I loved the texture of the zucchni, and yes, they really did kind of taste like noodles.
My pal loved his Big Bowl, which has brown rice with quinoa, sweet potato, smokey beans, greens, slaw, cherry tomatoes, sauerkraut, turmeric hummus, lime and tahini dressing.
I was too full (and in a bit of a rush) but the desserts counter looked scrumptious. We’ll be back for dessert.
The only strange thing was that the kitchen is huge (and somewhat empty) and all of us patrons were crammed in together at small tables close together. While it would be a bit better in good weather when people could use the outdoors seating, Shift Eatery seems more popular than it has space for patrons!