Perivoj – a little light lunch in Split

Lunch recommendations from our friend Čedo always lead us to somewhere special. Perivoj restaurant in Split is a graceful villa set in its own gardens deep in the backstreets of the city. Villa Tončić is a large villa, almost a mini palace, with a huge garden, a short walk from the old city core. The villa was designed and built by Kamilo Tončić, one of the best known architects of Croatian Secession style in 1922.

It’s an elegant and peaceful place whether just for a coffee and snack, a light lunch or a full-on gourmet dinner.

Perivoj restaurant

The young chef is Marko Gajski, who we first encountered at DiVino in Hvar town a couple of years ago during a spectacular thunderstorm. He originally graduated in information technology, but decided instead that cooking is his passion. After leading DiVino for four years and gaining international experience in London (Alain Duccase – Dorchester, Daniel Boulud – Bar Boulud, Alexis Gauthier – Gauthier) Marko became the Chef du Cuisine at Perivoj. Marko’s signature dishes are his interpretations of traditional Croatian dishes in a thoroughly modern style.

Also now at Perivoj is confectionery chef extraordinaire Tea Mamut, who prepared such a memorable birthday dessert back then at DiVino. Tea has meanwhile been a TV star, hosting her own programme on Croatian TV (search for Tea Mamut on Youtube) and is also launching her own patisserie brand O’š Kolač (wanna cake?). She is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America in New York, but after working overseas for several years decided that Croatia is where she wants to build her future.

The interior of the house is decorated in beautiful art deco style, with lovely wallpaper and light fittings, and even some of the original artwork from when this was a private residence. This is a very classy place to eat, and the food was superb! One of these days we shall have to come back for dinner!