In the magnificent setting of Villa Skärtofta in Saltsjöbaden, old meets new in an authentic food and
drinking experience. The restaurant, which is part of Vår Gård, offers a unique tasting menu where it
Italian cuisine is blended with Swedish ingredients in an exclusive atmosphere. Head Chef John Bråsth, With experience from Michelin-starred restaurants in Milan, he leads the kitchen with passion and creativity, offering guests an unforgettable taste journey.
Three years ago, John Bråsth moved back to Sweden after spending eleven years with his partner in Milan, Italy. There, he worked as a chef in Michelin-starred restaurants and trattorias and grew to love it
Italian cuisine. John has been working as head chef at Villa Skärtofta for the past year.
– It has been an eventful year for us! We had a soft opening last autumn and the grand opening took place in February 2024. It has gone very well and we have received lovely and positive feedback from our
Guests. It's great fun, says John. In the Skärtofta kitchen, it's like stepping into a kitchen in Italy. It smells lovely, it's high tempo and loud. When John accepted the role of head chef, some of his old colleagues from Milan followed him to the new adventure in Saltsjöbaden.
From November, there will be further additions from Italy. It's fun, there will be a lot of Italian chat in the kitchen, says John.
Tasting menu
Villa Skärtofta offering a unique tasting menu where ingredients such as halibut, celeriac, king crab, cod and lamb take centre stage. Each dish is carefully composed with inspiration from Swedish and Italian cuisine. The restaurant's sommelier creates perfect harmony by carefully matching each dish with suitable drinks.
– We always strive to capture that Italian feel in our menu. We put it together just as we would have done in Italy, but with a twist. At the heart of the menu, there’s always a pasta or risotto dish. On the menu, we have our take on minestrone, served with a small costad stuffed with vegetables and a deep-fried cheese ball. Instead of the traditional Parmesan, we use Swedish cheese, which gives the dish a unique and exciting flavour,’ explains John.
Everyone is welcome!
It's impossible to ignore the beautiful exterior of Villa Skärtofta, which was built as Det Vår Gård's oldest building. At the time, it was one of Saltsjöbaden's most exclusive villas. Today, it offers a magnificent and luxurious atmosphere.
– It's incredibly magnificent. In Italy, it's common to find palaces and castles with similar architecture and history, but in Sweden, it's quite unusual. It's fantastic that the restaurant is located in this beautiful villa and that it's open to everyone. We usually say that our restaurant is ”a fine establishment for all tastes,” explains John.
Unique dining rooms for private parties
For a more private dining experience, there is also Chambre Séparée, a secluded room for parties of 6–10 people. The walls throughout the restaurant are adorned with fine art, and there are ongoing vernissages and art exhibitions in collaboration with various artists.
– It's fun to be able to add a creative dimension during the meal. When our guests leave, they are not only full, but also enriched by an exclusive experience. That's what makes Skärtofta so special, John concludes.
Isabelle Ibérer
www.Guard.se
