OUR STORY

The Majestic serves classic New York–style Chinese American food, inspired by the kind of places you remember long after the meal is over.

person holding The Majestic sticker on Mott Street

For owner Eric Scheffer, that place was Brooklyn and Long Island. Growing up in New York, he spent countless hours on Mott Street in Chinatown, especially around the holidays, where families like his felt welcome. In a city shaped by immigration, Chinese and Jewish communities lived alongside one another, and food became a place of comfort and connection.

Those meals left a lasting impression. They were not just dinners out, but moments of warmth, belonging, and care. The Majestic is inspired by that feeling.

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.

This is classic New York-style Chinese American cooking, a cuisine shaped by generations. Our goal is to get the classics right, honor the history, and let the food speak for itself.

To bring his vision for The Majestic to life, Eric partnered closely with Chef Ray Hui, Executive Chef of Gan Shan and a first-generation Chinese American. Ray’s lived experience, cultural understanding, and culinary expertise were essential in developing the menu. Together, they focused on food that feels true to the tradition, respectful of its roots, and honest in its execution. The menu reflects a shared commitment to honoring the food and the community it comes from.

That vision will continue in the kitchen under Executive Chef Kaya Rehnberg. Kaya brings more than a decade of experience, including leadership roles managing a Korean restaurant and becoming the first woman to work in the kitchen at Café Soriah in Eugene, Oregon. She has worked closely with Chef Ray as Sous Chef at Gan Shan, developing a strong foundation in Asian flavors and techniques that she now brings to The Majestic.

MEET THE RABBIT

Lucky Rabbit

In the Chinese zodiac, the rabbit symbolizes luck, harmony, and prosperity. It became a natural fit for The Majestic’s logo and a quiet nod to Eric Scheffer’s daughter Jordan, who was born in the Year of the Rabbit.

Around here, the rabbit has become a small symbol of good fortune at The Majestic. Some say he brings a little extra luck wherever he appears.

You may spot the rabbit hopping around on chopsticks or a few pieces of The Majestic merchandise. Take one home and see if a little extra luck follows you around.

Kaya Rehnberg
Executive Chef

chef ray

Ray Hui
Executive Chef - Gan Shan