Noted west London Italian restaurant L’Amorosa finally reopened this week after a catalogue of disasters forced a complete overhaul of its premises, extending its closure well past lockdown.

Chef-patron Andy Needham, a former head chef at Zafferano near Knightsbridge, has won consistent high ratings since opening L’Amorosa eight years ago. The latest Harden’s Best UK Restaurants hails it as a “superb neighbourhood Italian”.

In the summer of 2020, during the first lockdown, a balcony was illegally added to the flats above the restaurant, breaking the waterproof membrane and causing water to flood through the building. The restaurant had to be completely dried out, replastered, and a new floor, electrics and alarm systems all installed, at the snail’s pace dictated by insurers.

When the lockdown was lifted and other restaurants reopened, most of L’Amorosa’s staff left to find other jobs, while Andy kept himself ticking over by preparing meals for collection. He says: “So now we have a nice new building ready to go – and no staff! Ironic, but we are determined to get through it, we’ve come so far now!”

Initially, L’Amorosa will only be open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings.