The Scheffer Group is proud to announce that Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian South and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House have both been recognized in Tripadvisor’s prestigious Best of the Best Awards. Vinnie’s South earned the #6 spot and Jettie Rae’s ranked #8 in the highly competitive Casual Dining category, recognizing them as two of the finest dining destinations in the United States.

Our Owner/Chef Eric Scheffer and Directors Jordan Taylor and Sean Cudmore have served as the main contact points between Moody Plumbing, Topwater Energy Solutions, and fellow Asheville restaurateurs, streamlining the logistics and administration of clean water access to multiple restaurants throughout Asheville. Our team has been helping to arrange routes and coordinate so that these resources are more affordable and accessible, and we’re making notable suggestions such as bringing in smaller tanker trucks so that more restaurant locations can receive the water they need

We are excited to announce that all Scheffer Group restaurants, including both Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian locations, Gan Shan West, and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, are now open and operating with clean, safe, and health department-certified potable water. Our hearts are full of gratitude as we welcome our beloved community back into our dining rooms. Over the past few days, it’s been a joy to see so many familiar, smiling faces, and we’re honored to provide a space for comfort, healing, and nourishment in these challenging times.

Nan brings her deep culinary roots and rich life experiences to every corner of Vinnie's South. From her beginning in Brooklyn, to 15 years in construction, to working her way through the culinary ranks to Executive Chef roles, Nan has done it all. Her leadership, warmth, and resilience unify the Vinnie’s family and make her an irreplaceable part of the team.

Chef/Owner Eric Scheffer has once again proven his commitment to providing exceptional hospitality as his three acclaimed establishments—Jettie Rae's Oyster House, Vinnie's Neighborhood Italian, and Gan Shan West—shine at the 2024 Best of WNC Mountain Xpress Awards.

Rick is a restaurant veteran with a passion for hospitality. From working on Cyndi Lauper and Pat Benatar MTV videos to bartending in NYC, managing the United Distillers bar program in Boston, and reopening San Francisco’s famous Balboa Cafe, Rick has done it all. Now at Jettie Rae’s, he is thrilled to work with a fantastic team and an already thriving culture.

At the Scheffer Group, we've always believed in the power of local partnerships and the importance of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Since day one, we've had the pleasure of working with one of the finest mushroom growers in the region, whose dedication and passion have enriched our culinary offerings.

Andrew Parker, Head Dishwasher at The Original Vinnie’s, explains the importance of the dish pit, or the “water park” as he and his coworkers affectionately call it, and how it affects a restaurant in service.

“Food is the soul of a restaurant, and the cooks are the spirit behind it. The plates are what carry all of that, they are the pumping blood source. The dish pit is the heart.”

Now in its 22nd year, Dining Out For Life has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for those affected by HIV/AIDS in our community and beyond. Learn more about the instrumental role that Eric Scheffer played in getting the event off the ground and running, and how impactful his support would be for years to come.

Former restaurant owner and teacher, and now General Manager at Jettie Rae’s Oyster House, Emily Abernathy has been on Guy’s Grocery Games and won, helped open Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian, and was part of the A-Team at Savoy, Eric Scheffer’s first restaurant, which put Asheville on the map as a dining destination in the early 2000s. We are thrilled to have her as part of our crew!

We are excited to welcome 5 new dishes to the Gan Shan West menu.

A note from Chef Eric Scheffer on the acquisition of Gan Shan West.

Chef Anai started at Vinnie's as a Pantry Cook, then worked her way up to become Head Chef of the #1 favorite restaurant in South Asheville.

In this article, learn more about Anai’s journey to Vinnie's South, and what it's like being a female in a male-dominated field.