"It will be straightforward, clean food, but serious food, in a casual setting, " he said. "The restaurant will be very open, with a social atmosphere but there will also be snugs and high-backed booths for those people who want a bit more privacy."

Mooney said the kitchen will be on open view to the public, running along one side of the restaurant. There will also be an Oyster Bar, serving a variety of seafood.

"You'll be able to sit up at the bar before your dinner and have some wine or champagne with some oysters. Or maybe some poached lobster, or crab claws, or prawn cocktails. It's all about relaxation and quality."

The restaurant's name, the Saddle Room, is a throwback to the hotel's dining area of the 1970s and 1980s. It will seat 170 people, with most of the produce being sourced directly from Ireland.

Mooney's move to the Shelbourne is a new step in what has been a high-flying and varied culinary career. He recently spent some time in India, where he opened the only organic restaurant in the country. In 2004 he was named 'Best Hotel Chef in the USA' by the James Beard Foundation and before that he did a stint as executive chef in the five-star W Hotel in New York city.

With Mayo-born grandparents, Mooney says he already feels at home in Ireland and can see himself settling here. "There was no problem with the transition at all, " he said. "I've lived here since September and the people are very friendly and there was no problem finding a place to live. I could very well see myself staying here."

The top chef said he expects much the same clientele in the Shelbourne as he served in New York. "Dublin is a metropolitan city, and I'd imagine it will attract a little bit of everyone from everywhere, " he said. However, the Saddle Room won't be serving traditionally large American portions. "They will be sensible portions, and very much value-orientated, " he said.

"I'm not interested in breaking the bank for anyone."

The fully refurbished hotel is due to open in early February next year, more than six months behind schedule. The landmark building was closed in April 2005 for a Euro40m renovation and was originally due to reopen its doors in September this year.

The building will have 265 guest rooms, including 19 suites, 12 of which will be named after famous guests who stayed in the hotel in the past. The famous Horseshoe Bar has been "restored to its original glory", with the installation of a white marble bar and the trademark elevators have been removed from the entrance hall. There will also be 12 conference and banqueting suites - the largest of which will seat 360 guests - and the Constitution Suite, where the Irish Constitution was drafted in 1922.