“The Majestic” to bring NYC-Style Chinese American food to Asheville
ASHEVILLE—The Scheffer Group is transforming the former Musician’s Workshop on Merrimon Avenue into The Majestic, a New York City-style Chinese American comfort food spot. The Majestic draws inspiration from the Mott Street classics that shaped owner Eric Scheffer’s upbringing in New York’s Jewish community.
As a child, Scheffer, one of the more the more successful and long-standing restaurateurs in Asheville, spent countless hours in the heart of New York City’s Chinatown, especially around the holidays, where families like his felt welcome.
With a menu created by Gan Shan’s Executive Chef Ray Hui, the kitchen will be led by Chef Kaya Rehnberg, a Scheffer Group veteran from both Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian and Gan Shan. According to The Majestic’s web site, “The Majestic reflects the next chapter of Chinese American cooking at a time when many first-generation family-owned Chinese restaurants across the country are closing as owners retire and the next generation moves into other fields. Our goal is to bring you the nostalgia, flavor, and neighborhood traditions tied to Chinese American food culture and Eric Scheffer’s childhood in New York.
The Majestic will join The Scheffer Group’s three other Asheville restaurants: Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian, Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, and Gan Shan Neighborhood Asian. The counter-service restautant is scheduled to open its doors in late May.