A new opening date has been set for a television chef’s high-end authentic Italian restaurant.

Caldesi, in Belsize Lane, is finally ready to open its doors after it took over the former Calici restaurant which closed in December last year.

TV chef Giancarlo Caldesi had hoped to open on April 3, but this was delayed due to an “electricity fault” found during renovations.

Before this, Mr Caldesi told the Ham&High that his heart was set to welcome customers by the end of February.

It has now been announced that a new soft launch date has been set for next Saturday (April 13).

Mr Caldesi who first starred in the BBC series Return to Tuscany and has also appeared on shows such as Saturday Kitchen and MasterChef, hopes to be welcomed by the community in Belsize Park.

He has already established his name in London after living in the city for 50 years, opening his restaurant in Marylebone in 2002 and running his cooking school La Cucina Caldesi with his wife Katie for nearly 17 years.

He continued: “I’ve been in London in the last 50 years, and I’ve made sure that knowing Belsize Park, Marylebone, all of these places which are wonderful areas really.”

Robert Stephenson-Padron, co-ordinator of the Belsize Village Business Association, said: “A wonderful addition to the village.

"Welcome Caldesi to beautiful Belsize Village. Thank you for fittingly investing in the Italian piazza in London.”