Today’s post is an immersive experience. You will be fed doors for lunch in Tuscany on a glorious September day.
After yesterday’s new moon when our internet went on a 24-hour fast as well and I had to post via my phone, it’s so good to be back behind my big screen.
Our connection is at a quarter speed, but much better than nothing. If internet problems continue, I will be cut from my photo archives and forced to post only those photos that I can find in my email attachments, seeing that my phone takes photos too terrible to be posted.
It’s raining again, after a fully dry summer, and it was the thunderstorm that messed our connection (and bestia, but the older he gets, the more resigned he is). Today’s post is a memory of a lovely lunch from two weeks ago when it was still hot.
Uncle, bestia and I had just done a considerable walk along the Elsa river. It was more up and down than expected and we were tired and hungry. Our next stop was San Gimignano half an hour away, but it was already 2.30 pm and in Italy things stop and shops close for lunch, including most restaurants. I was not so eager to go to San Gimignano and fall into some tourist trap lunch. What do to?
As I was driving, I realised that there was a town around and I didn’t know what it was called. There are countless towns in Italy but I like to keep their names in check, especially of those that I have visited. And now I had no idea where I was. I kept seeing signs for centro storico, historic centre, but not of which town. Never mind, I said and turned that way. Centro storico means lunch.
The rest is history, as the photos will tell. We came, we ate, we conquered. The restaurant was open all day and everything was excellent, the view, the food, the service. I even discovered a new way of taking door photos: sniper style.
And finally, disclosure: The name of the town (and I had to check again since I forgot) is Colle di Val d’Elsa, and the name of the restaurant is Portanova Hosteria Enoteca. Welcome.
I saw this by the road and realised I had no idea where I was. Historic centre of something, here we come. Sensing another adult amusement park. But uncle doesn’t know that I have already spotted where I wish to go next. Sharp left. First up and inquire, and then down to tell uncle that they will feed us. Not our table. I want to dine al fresco. That’s more like it. I make a quick circle around the terrace. We will leave this town be after lunch so it’s catch-as-catch-can from up here. The neighbouring tower is under construction. This is how history is made. Appetizers. I am already thinking how I’ll make a Thursday Doors post from this experience. The lamp has a door… Here we go. Door sniper mode is on. Doors and flowers. A pharmacy. No green cross included. Crystal tells me in Oregon a green cross means something else. My main course, the most surprising dish I’ve had in Italy: some sort of filled pasta, scallops, zucchini, with fried zucchini flowers on top. We passed the wine cellar on the way out. A glass door to downstairs. The main restaurant door proclaims that no more than 54 persons can dine here at the same time. Hm… Exit from the inside. Opposite the restaurant, the St. Peter’s Conservatory. A look back to where we were. Across the street. The view from our car. I must have seen this after I parked. It didn’t fully register, but suddenly I knew where I wished to go.
For Thursday Doors challenge hosted by Dan at No Facilities

This day in my blogging history
This is just fabulous ! The story, the doors, the view, the food … all of it. I will make it there someday, but until then, I’ll live vicariously through you and your travels.
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That’s the spirit, Donna. I like sharing with you. Thank you!
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I do like the name Donna … 🥰
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Ahh, damn, Bonnie, I hate it when this happens. :p You do have the ‘onn’ in common. : D Sorry!
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How stupendous. All of it. Thanks for taking there. Splendid.
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You’re most welcome, Selma. Buon appetito!
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So many places to discover.
(It’s the thunderstorm to blame? Cute. Like the olden days.)
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This was the first rain to deserve this word since May or June. The cables got scared. Thanks, Bojana.
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Ah!
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That’s a delightful and serendipitous find. (K)
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Thank you, K. I thought so too.
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What a beautiful view to enjoy with your lunch, and the food looks fabulous! I want to be in Italy again …
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Thank you, Sarah. The wish comes first, and then the rest of you follows. 🙂
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Ooooh, take me to the wine cellar!
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Hehe, Sue, let’s go. Thanks!
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😊
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This was wonderful!! The views and the food….I could have made a meal off the appetizers alone. I liked this trip a lot. ‘Door sniper mode is on’….you are so funny. Great snaps, Manja.
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Thank you, Lois! I’m glad you enjoyed it. I aim to please – in the sniper mode. 😀
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“Door sniper mode” brought a wealth of great doors, Manja. That food looks so good, I am hungry now, and I just had breakfast. I like the carefree way you approached this visit. I’m glad you finally figured out where you were.
Speaking of where you are, I hope you haven’t been affected by the intense rain we’ve been reading about.
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Thank you, Dan. We just spent 19 hours without the internet and it seems it’s because of the first substantial rain in months. Cables got wet or what. However, here it was not nearly as dramatic as in some other parts in Italy, and the rains didn’t last long.
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I am so glad you said to click to read the captions. I am sitting here kind of on a miserable morning, and instead I am transported via your blog to sunny Italy. Thank you, thank you, thank you (imagine hand written in a circle)
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Ahh, I’m always glad when you visit, Carol, because you are always so cheerful. This is what we need, and Italy! Thank you!
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Your ‘sniper’ style photography worked well, Manja. 🙂 and the food looked great. I trust your uncle was duly impressed. Laughing about Crystal’s comment. There are green crosses all over Oregon. –Curt
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Thank you, Curt! Oh yes, we were both extremely pleased with this setting and food. A lucky find.
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Always fun when something like that comes together.
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My sister-and-law and I have had similar adventures in France, just driving around, sometimes with a destination in mind but finding interesting and tasty places along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed your little adventure!
jant
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Thank you, Janet! Then you know exactly how it goes. 🙂 Glad to be able to feed you this way.
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Beautiful photos, and the food looks delicious!
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Thank you, Lynette! This was a most memorable meal and setting.
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Can see so much of Tuscany’s atmosphere here. Oh, how I wish for a lunch at a a patio (it has been soaring hot here!) – a wonderful idea. These appetizers look very inviting. and wow, now that’s a wine cellar! That wall structure looks inviting to stay longer:) What a lovely outing, Manja! Emille (Jesh)
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Thank you, Emille! I’m glad I can take you there in this way. Buon appetito!
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My favourite door is the one that leads to the wine cellar!😎
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Thanks, TAB, for stating your preference. 😀
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Hi M3
What fun post!
The top image for me was the appetizers on the cutting board – mmmm
But all good and what a great country you live in
💛
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Thank you, Prior. 🙂 Agreed! Those appetizers clearly had their space in a door post. 😀
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☀️☀️☀️
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Wow! This town looks beautiful and the restaurant sounds perfect. What a fortunate thing to find it all unexpectedly. I enjoyed this post…felt like I, too, was traveling with you.🙂
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This is perfect, Smitha. When I’m putting such a post together, this is my intent, to bring you along, tell you what I would tell you if you were here with me, and then we have fun together. Thank you!
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