It is the most eagerly awaited restaurant opening of the autumn.

The legendary owners of the Wolseley, who also oversaw the success of The Ivy and Le Caprice, are expected to launch their latest venture in the capital next month under the name of St Alban, the Evening Standard can reveal.

The project has been shrouded in secrecy since April, when Chris Corbin and Jeremy King bought the leasehold on premises in Lower Regent Street for £2.8 million.

The 8,000 sq ft building, called Rex House, used to house an Italian restaurant called Il Pomodorino.

The Standard has learned that the new 130-seat restaurant will take its name from St Alban's Street, along one side of the property.

A friend of Mr Corbin and Mr King said: "They prefer to use names that don't say too much about the restaurant.

"They have always rather liked the fact that The Ivy is a lousy name really, but it became a great restaurant."

St Alban will be uncompromisingly contemporary in ambience and design - in stark contrast to the Twenties, Viennese - cafe-inspired look of The Wolseley.

The architects are Stiff and Trevillion, the firm that designed the look of Wagamama, Island and Satsuma.

Although little has been revealed about St Alban by its publicity-shy owners, it is believed the restaurant will take its inspiration from southern Europe, particularly Portugal, Spain, France and Italy.

It will be run by Mitch Everard, known as the stars' favourite restaurant manager, who previously oversaw The Ivy.

A head chef, believed to be Sicilian and a well-known name in London, has also been recruited.

Menus will be priced in the "upper-middle" bracket associated with the Ivy.

Other restaurant openings expected in the run-up to Christmas include the Chelsea Brasserie at the Sloane Square Hotel, Scott's in Mayfair and Theo Randall at the InterContinental in Park Lane.