A man could be left blind in one eye after having a steak knife thrown in his face during a brawl at a Brazilian restaurant in Kensal Green last night.

Police say the victim, 37, has potentially life-changing injuries after the shocking incident in Harrow Road’s Touro at about 9.15pm.

Terrified diners watched on as a man covered in slash wounds ran into the restaurant to get away from a gang of eight men who were chasing him. As they closed in on him and punched him he picked up a kitchen knife from the restaurant and launched it at one of the men, hitting him in the eye.

One staff member told The Times the men were all white and aged about 30. He said: “He came in looking for shelter from the guys, I think they came from a nearby bar. He had slashes on his arms and stomach and chest.

“They threw salt and pepper shakers at him and he grabbed a knife. One guy punched him from behind and he faced up and pulled the knife and threw it at the guy. It hit him in the eye.

“His friends took him out and they went towards Kensal Green station. As soon as they left we locked the doors.

“The man went to the bathroom and we closed him in there to wait for police but they didn’t come for like half an hour. He came out and started freaking out that we’d locked the doors.

“He threw a chair and tried to break the window but staff and customers stood in front of it.”

Staff eventually let the man out and he ran off. Meanwhile most customers were left with little appetite, although some did carry on eating. The restaurant didn’t take any more diners for the night, though.

“We said to them: ‘We can’t serve you all, some staff are not okay and the service won’t be good.”

Police came and took statements from staff and diners. No arrests have been made.