A man has been arrested by police after trying to smuggle chicken into a Surry Hills vegetarian restaurant.

The local man, David Barnhill 24, was on a second date at the time.

His date a Russian au pair, spotted the pieces of chicken he had in a plastic seal-lock bag.

“He tried to distract me, but I saw him” she said. “This goes against everything we believe in, we don’t abide by the slaughter of innocent animals to bring meat into a vegetarian restaurant is unconscionable, it’s disgusting.”

When it was revealed the man had brought meat into the restaurant word quickly spread throughout the restaurant. Whimpers of objection turned into a roar as the diners whipped themselves into a frenzy torrid abuse was hurled at the man by the vehemently outraged mob. Eventually utensils and plates were gently thrown at the man/”

Mr Barnhill, a tradie, tried in vain to explain himself.

“I’d been up since 5am. We didn’t even have time for lunch. I was famished. I just wanted some protein, something too fill me up.”

In response the vegetarian patrons of the restaurant began menacingly chanting “To-Fu!” repeatedly.

No meat here. Here no meat.

Police were called and the man was charged with being a public nuisance.

Constable Constance from Surry Hills Police stated, “At 9.43pm a 24 year old male Surry Hills resident was arrested for inciting violence and being a public nuisance. The incident stemmed from the man’s decision to bring meat into a vegetarian restaurant.”

His Russian date said “That’s it. It’s over. I was willing to give him a chance, but he disrespected me and my life choices, and plus he’s a tradesman. That’s gross.”