A NEW restaurant hoping to bring the taste of America's Deep South to Worcester has officially opened in Cripplegate Park, Worcester.

A £1m plus refurbishment of the site is now complete, and new Hickory's Smokehouse restaurant, opened its doors to the public on Friday, August 17, creating 80 jobs.

The restaurant based on the site of the former The Pavilion in the Park pub, located in Tybridge Street, has been completely transformed with every aspect of the venue redesigned.

The venue has an open kitchen and chef’s bar, booth seating, a cinema room, along with dining areas for up 150 guests internally and more outside seating available.

The outside area is now home to a sheltered veranda and outdoor seating, together with children’s area and table tennis zone and firepit.

During a special preview event, on Wednesday, August 15, Worcester News editor Michael Purton and reporters Liz Sharpe, Grace Walton and Jess Charles tucked into a range of dishes including, cheesy American pretzels, a 340g rare steak, Hickory slow smoked beef sausage, the Smokehouse Platter and roasted cauliflower mac 'n' cheese.

They also tried out a range of cocktails including the cute Daisy Duke cocktail made with beefeater gin, Briottet peach, huckleberry and apple and the Campfire Old Fashioned, delightfully mixed with Hickory's own Andy Beedle Select Eagle Rare 10 Year Old whiskey, maple syrup and black walnut bitters.

For dessert the reporters were treated to the indulgent ultimate giant chocolate-coated eclair, filled with Oreos, Nutella, brownie pieces and whipped cream.

The menu includes Southern classics with wings, ribs and brisket, all smoked ‘low and slow’ for up to 16 hours.

It also offers breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes and Southern inspired desserts.

Hickory’s Smokehouse General Manager Steve Bonnington said: "We have been getting to know the local community and have a tremendous amount of support so far and we can’t wait to unveil the new restaurant to the people of Worcester and beyond."

Hickory’s Smokehouse owner Neil McDonnell said: "We have loved getting to know the area during the re-development. We’ve met some really great people and the support we have had has been quite humbling, so we really are thrilled to be finally opening our doors."

Hickory's Smokehouse already have two other branches in the West Midlands, plus restaurants in Coventry, Chester, two in Merseyside and another in North Wales.

To book, or for more information go to: www.hickorys.co.uk or call 01905 677373.