" ... a flying meals trolley ..."
Problem is it's flying on its old trajectory while the surrounding aircraft is being accelerated in some direction, right?
Ya know, any place that has earthquakes anticipates suddenly accelerations up, down, or sideways with a force of more than one gravity will happen.
They keep the San Francisco streetcars down on the ground, with perfectly good pre-aviation technology -- a slot in the pavement.
That could be done right down the middle -- or on either side -- of the walkway.
In fact it's how the seats are attached -- that's how they can snug them up to remove excessive legroom when people are feeling lonely and far apart.
A couple more of the exact same little slots -- barely noticeable underfoot -- in the aisle would let the carts be anchored all the way, and yet easily released when needed.