A restaurant which specialises in “meat and music” has been crowned the winner of the Times Series Restaurant of the Year award.

Guns and Smoke, an American-style bar and grill in Church Passage, High Barnet, received the award after being judged the best place to eat in the area – despite opening just eight months ago.

Manager Matt Hope, 42, who runs the restaurant on behalf of owners Riz and Rahil, said: “We were absolutely chuffed to win, especially as the new kid in town. We are too busy to celebrate, but it is a very nice accolade to win.”

Live music takes place every night at the restaurant, including blues on Tuesdays, country music on Wednesdays and an open mic night on Thursdays. Full bands usually perform on weekends.

Mr Hope, originally from Kent, said: “It is great, everyone has been very friendly and welcoming. It is the first one, but we hope to open more in the future. We are getting this one as right as possible. It is all about meat and music.

“We buy our meat directly from a farm in Hertford. It is the best meat around without a doubt. All the burgers are handmade. We take pride in the fact all our meat is ethically sourced.

“I don’t think people got what we were at first, so we had people coming in for a romantic dinner for two, and then finding there was a six-piece band in the background. It’s a cowboy bar, there is certainly nothing else kicking around like it.

“As we have gone on people are starting to understand what we are, and how we are trying to achieve it.”

Mr Hope said the restaurant supports a lot of schools and charities in the area. It held a fundraiser last Sunday, July 26, for Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice, which had ten bands play.

In September, the restaurant will start running karaoke sessions for children. Inspired by Mr Hope’s children, it will be Called Harry and Olivia’s Kiddy Cowboy Karoake, and will take place every Sunday.

Mr Hope said: “The idea behind it is people come in for our version of Sunday lunch and the kids will be entertained. It is a family-oriented karaoke. I don’t think I have ever come across it before.”

The restaurant is open from 7am to midnight Monday to Friday, and 7am to 1am Saturdays and Sundays.