AMESBURY — Those craving barbecue and some good old Southern comfort food are in luck, Low & Slow Southern Kitchen + Tap opened its doors for the first time on Friday.
After months of preparation, the restaurant at 11 Elm St. officially welcomed customers into its downstairs restaurant and upstairs bar, the 1874 Bourbon Room.
The restaurant will offer local residents and visitors the chance to indulge in shrimp and grits, smoked wings and a pork belly Caesar salad, while those visiting the bar can drink bourbon and cocktails, such as espresso martinis and old-fashions.
Co-owner Gidi Goldberg said opening day brought a plethora of emotions.
“It’s a combination of relief, stress, excitement. But overall, I’m extremely happy and proud to be able to serve our community,” he said.
Opening day has been months in the making as the space has received a facelift recently, with its decor being changed out and the building being properly outfitted for operation.
“We’ve been renovating, resetting the space, giving it its new life,” Goldberg said.
But for Goldberg, the lead-up to opening day has been more than just a few months, as owning a restaurant has been his lifelong ambition.
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve had the dream to have my own restaurant since I was a kid, and now just seeing it come to life is just unbelievable,” he said.
Now that his dream has been realized, Goldberg said he is thrilled for his business to officially become a part of Amesbury, a community that has welcomed him with open arms.
“Everyone’s been so gracious and amazing and helpful. I couldn’t be happier,” he said.
The community’s support of the business was evident on Thursday, when local people attended the restaurant and bar’s soft opening for friends and family — an evening Goldberg called a success.
“It went great. The reviews of the food and service have been glowing,” he said.
Among those attending was food influencer and Amesbury resident, Craig McPherson, who said he was glad to see a new business in the former Hoppy’s Cantina space.
“There’s just been a lot of buzz around that location for a while. So it’s been great that they’ve opened up, and we’re excited,” he said.
Now, Goldberg said he is excited for what is to come and for the chance to be able to interact with new faces in the community.
“It feels great,” he said of people in the community now being able to sample Low and Slow. “And I look forward to being able to meet everyone and welcome them into our home,”.