Wanted to try this place since I heard it was also Korean-inspired. The place was so crowded even though it was quite spacious but got lucky with a table on at a busy brunch time. The coffee & kimchi fried rice were to-taste but the chicken & croffle was absolutely a game changer (first time trying) - amazingly tender/juicy chicken and crispy croffle with a hint of sugar. Will definitely come back to try out more on a less busy day! read more

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A cute concept and aesthetic space, but the food didn't quite come together for me. Stopped by Cafe Etoile after a doctor's appointment because I was in the mood for brunch. Their menu showed items like waffles and croissant French toast, which sounded really promising. I decided to try the croissant French toast and really wanted to like it. The croissant itself had potential, but the egg mixture was very heavy and lacked some of the warm flavors you typically expect in French toast, like cinnamon or vanilla. Even with the berries and syrup, it still leaned very egg-forward. I also ordered a side of bacon for some extra protein, and that was actually cooked really well. For drinks, I tried the strawberry latte with the vanilla bean soft top. I initially expected more of a coffee-forward drink, but it was much sweeter and reminded me more of an elevated strawberry milk. The space itself is cute and gives more of a social, aesthetic hangout vibe than a traditional brunch spot. Parking can also be a bit tricky. There's free parking in the Trader Joe's garage nearby, but it's unclear whether parking there while dining at the café is allowed. Overall, I liked the concept and atmosphere more than the actual food during this visit. read more

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Came here on a weekday around noon. The staff were super friendly and provided great service! Ordering was quick, took about 5 minutes, but the food did take a bit longer, around 20-30 minutes, which was understandable as it was a little busy inside. There's both indoor and outdoor seating. The interior has a warm, inviting atmosphere with plenty of windows, making it perfect for a coffee chat or study session. Based on rush, you may not get a buzzer, so watch out for your order at the pickup window! I got the Chicken Croffle, and wow, the chicken was incredibly juicy and flavorful! It was so tender, literally shredding so easily with just a stab of my fork. The savory chicken paired perfectly with the slightly sweeter croffle underneath. The croffle itself had that perfect crunch from all the layers of a croissant but with the softness of an actual waffle. One thing I did notice is that the croffle was a bit challenging to cut with the knife provided, but it was still totally worth the effort! Overall, the food was great! I love that they have other Korean-inspired dishes. I definitely want to come back and try those! read more

Café Etoile - Chicken & Croffle - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Dropped by Cafe Etoile in Berkeley recently and it was so good. You can see the huge portions in the pic I took. The food is amazing . the fried chicken and waffles were super crispy and savory, and we also got a sweet waffle loaded with fresh berries and chocolate that totally hit the spot. The ambiance is really chill and rustic with nice wooden tables, making it a super cozy place to just hang out and eat. The service was also really fast and friendly, and they made sure we had everything we needed. Definitely coming back! read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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This is one of my favorite cafes ever - will definitely be back!! The staff are SO lovely and accommodating. The matcha cloud was delicious and so was the food! Came a couple times with a friend to check it out and see if we could host a larger group event. It was fantastic every time and the event went super well. Great ambiance, easy street parking, and incredible food/drink/staff. Thanks so much!!! read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

This is overall a decent cafe with good food. I would recommend any of their signature meals: the croffle, salmon avocado toast, and Korean-inspired food is all delicious and interesting. The drinks aren't anything special, especially for the price. The interior is a bit dim but welcoming and often has space on weekdays. You could sit here for a few hours with a laptop, but the data and WiFi here are both bad. If I was ever working on an offline project or sitting with friends, this would be a good place to go. They also run big sport events (e.g. March Madness) on the TV. read more

Café Etoile - Salmon Avocado Toast, Chicken & Croffle - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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We came here on a Saturday as soon as they opened. The place is right on the corner so there's plenty of street parking. The place is nice and open. There's a ton of seating. The menu is on the wall on clip boards. I ordered a turkey sandwich and my husband ordered chicken and waffles. They bring the food to you so you sit anywhere you want . There's free water but they do sell a good amount of drinks. The food is made to order so be patient. They use good fresh ingredients and portions are generous. The food is delicious and service is great. We had a great experience and will definitely will return. read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Warm, cozy brunch vibes! You order at the register, seat yourself, and come up to get your food once your pager buzzes. They have water and condiments at the front, just take what you need. I ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict with roasted potatos ($19) and it was so yummy! I think the price is fair for the quality and portion. The potatoes were a little undercooked in my opinion and could've used more seasoning, but they do have salt and pepper at the front, so it wasn't a deal breaker. Eggs Benedict itself was delicious, the eggs were cooked perfectly. We came at 11am on a rainy Saturday and were able to find free 2-hr parking a block down. The ambiance was so lovely and cozy - soft holiday instrumental music, cute Halloween decor, surrounded by friends catching up or studying together. Would come again to try one of their drinks! read more

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The bulgogi sandwich was amazing!!! So flavorful and filling. I also had a rose latte as well. The service was good and people were friendly. The cafe was packed when I went in about noon today. We'll be back to try that Korean ramen. read more

I visited for weekend brunch and, while it was busy, it was also cozy. I was lucky enough to grab a high top table by the window. The ordering process was easy; simply order from the menu and find a table. I went for the chicken croffle with two eggs on the side. The food arrived promptly with generous portions, honestly enough to share with another person. The best part was how everything looked just as delicious as it tasted. The coffee was great too, rich, bold and packed with flavor. I took off one star because the employee at the register wasn't very welcoming, but thankfully it didn't impact the quality of the food. read more

Café Etoile - Chicken & Croffle + Chicken Croffle Egg Benedict - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Everything I've ever purchased has been delicious and the staff is very nice. It's a cute place with plenty of sitting for for yourself, a pair or a large group. I highly recommend the Chicken Croffle Benedict. read more

Café Etoile - Chicken Croffle Benedict - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Quint Cafe is in the heart of Berkeley, and I really appreciate its relaxed atmosphere. I tried their cheese corffle, which was crunchy, sweet, and savory--a great combo. The Crunchy Spicy Chicken Sandwich had a good-sized piece of chicken; it was filling. I did wish it had a bit more seasoning on the chicken and more flavorful coleslaw. The Croque Madame with a fried egg was quite enjoyable. The salad on the side added a nice touch and complemented the dish well. Good place for hangout! read more

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Decided to try this place for breakfast. Had hard time finding parking, you order your food and find a seat. The cashier was not helpful at all, told her it's our first time here what to recommend, handed us a paper menu and asked us to step a side to look over the menu and took the next person in line. Had to get back in line to order. Not the cleanest place I've been to. The floors are not so clean and some of the tables are not cleaned. The place is overwhelming with signs of everything they serve on the menu... The egg Benedict was ok... tried their bacon and egg croffle it's a croissant smashed into a waffle didn't care for it at all because though it would be crispy, not at all it was just sticky and stretchy like a smashed croissant... read more

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Doordashed. Everything was good! Better than expected. I wish they had breakfast sausage--that would be so great! The breakfast sandwich was good, but if they had a sausage option--oooweeee! The basil pesto croffle was really tasty. Tastes just like a pizza, kinda. Friend got the avocado toast--i didn't get to taste if, but she really enjoyed it. read more

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This may be the perfect cafe: big windows, a jumble of bistro tables and two big communal tables for getting your work done. Add to that some sweet, cool jazz and luxurious drinks menu. But mainly: THE FOOD! The chef is a true artist who composes each plate as a painting, with perfectly balanced ingredients and satisfying takes on Benedict's, chicken waffles, and croque monsieurs. read more

Café Etoile - Veggie Bene - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

The food is good. Lots of flavor. The avocado toast, I added a poached egg, was very good. I loved the little extras on it. Cucumbers, tomatoes, and picked red onion. The fried chicken and waffles was the best, tender juicy chicken, and nice a crisp on the outside soft on the inside flavorful waffle, with eggs Benedict to top it off. The crossiant French toast was yummy. My friends got it with the waffle and that was better than the crossiant in my opinion. The coffee cake is the only thing I had that I would not recommend. It was dry and a weird consistency, it just crumbled up. The lattes were very good, the tiramisu latte taste just like tiramisu. The service was a little slow to get our order. The inside is small and they do have people who are just hanging out and visiting, they had finished their food and drink. So it took us a bit to wait for a seat. Perhaps having a sign of etiquette if you are done and others are waiting to be mindful. read more

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I went here around noon with my family and partner making for a group of 5. Luckily, we were snag two tables next to each other and get some extra chairs as there weren't many people inside. People are usually in here, though, to eat and/or do work. I ordered the Chicken & Croffle Benedict and when the food arrived, I realized how big this serving was. I was excited for this, especially for the egg benedict part of the dish. It gets to become a rather messy meal once you've pierced through the egg along with all the sauce and syrup that's added in, but it's a tasty, filling meal! The chicken is really crispy and juicy. The croffle is quite hard to begin with, but it softens up throughout the meal because of everything on top. Everything in the store is self-serve when it comes to utensils, napkins, condiments, etc and they're located by the register. There were a few flies in the store which weren't aggressive or bothersome, but I did have to swat them away at times. The café is right by Trader Joe's, so street parking may be difficult to find at times. Overall, this is a nice place to grab brunch or do work if you need to study! read more

Café Etoile - Chicken & Croffle Benedict - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Nice coffee shop on the corner. Great for small parties. Get pretty packed in here. We got some coffees. Pretty standard stuff. You know what...it wasn't that memorable... But let me tell you about their food stuff! Chicken Croffle, its a large piece of tender fried chicken on a croffle. What's a croffle?? Well, its when a croissant finds its way into a waffle maker. Super delicious! Then we got the bulgogi sandwich. Its exactly what it sounds like but with a little bit of light greenery in there. We came for the coffee but really enjoyed the food. read more

Café Etoile - Chicken Croffle (front) Bulgogi Sandwich (back) - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

I stopped by not long before closing, it was quick to order and get my drink within 2 minutes as there was no one ahead in line. I got a matcha latte, half sweet, hot, 16oz; there is no price difference between getting it hot or iced. I definitely felt lower sweetness was the right move to be able to properly taste the matcha. I would've still liked the matcha to be even a little stronger, but overall I was satisfied by the amount of bitter savory flavor of matcha. They have a decent amount of tables of varying heights inside and a couple of outdoor tables, but they close at 3pm so if you're looking to work later into the evening, you'd need to go somewhere else. read more

Café Etoile - Matcha latte 16oz - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Little hidden gem in Berkeley, can't believe I've never noticed before. Korean fusion breakfast with a small but inspiring menu. We got the kimchi fried rice and a fried chicken and croffle. Both delicious. They drinks were also noteworthy, trying the tiramisu coffee for the first time and highly enjoyed - rich but not too sweet, good balance with the bitterness of the shot. The only issue I had was that you have to bus your own tables, but they do not have a garbage/recycling can so you have to just haphazardly put the dishes in the single small tray without clearing them. read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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Lots of breakfast options and quality food. I had come back after a long flight and it was perfect way to start with comfort food.

The breakfast sandwiches here are really good. I recommend checking out this spot. there's a few more things I haven't tried, but everything looks so good read more

I like this sunny, welcoming dining room. The Berry Croffle was delicious. The cream was sweet and the texture of the croffle (what the heck is a croffle anyway) was really really good. I also thought the avocado toast bread texture was perfect... Reminiscent of Intermezzo bread and the toppings on the avocado toast were excellent. Pistachio latte... Just OK. Very much liked my breakfast here. read more

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Very cute cafe / restaurant! I love their selection of Asian fusion dishes twisted with classic American favorites. They also have an assortment of lattes that tasted so yummy! I loved their iced pistachio latte which is the perfect mix of coffee, milk and pistachio. Parking is a bit hard to find for this place - you will need to look for street parking. Their sandwiches are always great and my friend loves the eggs Benedict here. read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

It's a small, lively cafe that offers an assortment of Asian-fusion dishes and specialty lattes. I was about to get the pistachio latte, but there was a tiramisu latte posted on a separate piece of paper next to the big wall menu and by the counter. There was also a peppermint mocha available too, but that menu posting was further from the register and closer to the pick-up area. The tiramisu latte was excellent, it has a good amount of sweetness while the coffee can still be tasted. The various food items sounded good and I'll probably try them next time I go. Staff is super friendly. If you need to use the restroom, a key is required so just ask the register. This place is located on a corner in downtown so parking is limited to street parking. Overall, I'll be back to try the pistachio latte and also the food! read more

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One of the best breakfast sandwiches in Berkeley. Made fresh to order. Toasted brioche bun and thick slices of smoked bacon. Super Yum! Lots of other reasonably priced breakfast items. Lots of seating. read more

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Had a great time here! The food was really good there's a lot of options and they're very filling I had the salmon avocado toast and my partner got the salmon benedict with a toffee and tiramisu latte .... I kid you not the lattes here are crafted to perfection !! The right amount of sweetness and foam. Highly recommend giving this place a shot. The service was quick and friendly and the place itself is set up really well with plenty of tables. I'd definitely come back to study or do some work here. read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Etoile has been on my Yelp bookmarks for a while. It always catches my eyes whenever we drive past it, but today was the chance to try it since we were around the neighborhood and looking for a quick bite. It's located right next to Trader Joe's - street parking only. It's a casual and quick setting. When we arrived after 1PM, this place was popping. We placed an order at the counter and we were given a buzzer. I ordered an Avocado Toast with a Gingerbread Chai Latte (oat milk) and my partner got a Chicken and Croffle with a Lemon Iced Tea. A lot of a tables were taken, but thankfully, table turnaround is fairly quick. We were able to find a small, tall table next to the windows. Other than that, everything else is self-serve - utensils, water, napkins are all available near the counter. Although self-service, the barista who made my Gingerbread Chai Latte noticed that because I got alternative milk, dairy may be an issue, so she came over to ask me if I wanted whip on top of my drink. I'm glad she did because I normally do not add whip to my drinks! So I'm really glad the barista was attentive to that. Order came fairly quick, and although I wasn't expecting much from an Avocado Toast, this is an avocado toast I can actually get behind. It's ~$10, it's a substantial avocado toast. The avocado is nicely mashed up and they lathered the bread with it. The addition of cherry tomatoes, pickled onions, and radishes made it kinda refreshing and added a lot of mouth feels with the different textures going on. But I have to say, the balsamic they drizzled on top added some depth of flavor. The whole wheat bread they used was fluffy and kinda thick, which added to the overall satisfaction. As for my Gingerbread Chai Latte - it smelled fragrant. I love the smell of cinnamon. It's toasty and comforting. The actual drink itself was okay. Not particularly strong, more milky tasting than other flavors, but it was comforting and what I needed on a chilly day to warm up. As for my partner's meal - wow, his Chicken and Croffle looked magnificent. The fried chicken pieces were massive and the Croffle was pretty big too. I would definitely say the chicken is the star of the show even though I assume you're supposed to eat it with the Croffle. The chicken was crunchy, and crispy, but moist dark meat. It was decadent, haha. Paired with the Croffle and syrup, you get a delicious sweet and savory bite. By itself, the chicken is still fantastic. But when you try the Croffle by itself, it's a little dense and hard. I'm pretty sure croffles are basically flatten croissants, but it doesn't have the flakiness of a croissant. My partner devoured that though, haha. As for his drink, it was not to our taste. The syrup was a bit weird, almost medicinal tasting. Other than that though, our experience here has been quite pleasant. We were satisfied and happy with our meal. Definitely recommend Cafe Etoile for a quick and casual bite! read more

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My visit took place some Fridays ago and it was great. I love the openess of their space for those who want to work or catch up with someone. Also, the music isn't too loud inside. My visit was on the professional side where I needed a private table to talk to a client partner. The food was tasty and reasonably priced. I got the salmon avocado toast and Cafe Etoile didn't skimp on the ingredients. I also tried a bite or two of the Spicy Basil Croffle, all the seasonings paired nicely and the croffle had a nice chew. This cafe shares a parking lot area with Trader Joes (next door) with the entrance to the mini structure off of Berkeley Way. Metered parking on the streets is also available. Great 1st experience, will be back again to try other items. #7/2024 read more

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Met up with a friend for lunch around the Berkeley area. School wasn't in session so the area wasn't as busy. Seems like people normally come here to do work. I got a spicy chicken sandwich. It was so affordable. The sandwich was less than $15 and was very filling. Chicken was crispy and juicy. Cole slaw could've been more seasoned as it was on the dryer side. I didn't order a drink, but they have an extensive drink menu. They also have water on the side. Seems like it would be a popular place for students when classes are in session. read more

Café Etoile - Spicy Chicken Sandwich - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

From great customer service, delicious food and a cozy ambiance, I would have to say this is one of my new favorite spots for a nice chill brunch or get together to catch up with some old friends! This cafe is great for studying, doing work, as well as just relax and enjoy your day! They offer indoor seating as well as outdoor seating! On Saturdays and Sundays, they do have a 2 hour limit just because of how popular their location is! Parking is street parking, so you either will have to pay for the meter or find a nearby neighborhood for free 2 hour parking! This cafe was super easy to locate where it's at a corner of street! I ordered their Chicken and Croffle; it was delicious! The chicken reminds me of a giant popcorn chicken where you get at boba shops or Taiwanese street snacks! The chicken has no bones, super soft & juicy as well as a lot of flavor! They pair this dish up with their house made spicy sauce. Their Croffle is on the sweet and chewy side, but it was a great balance for both of them! I would definitely come back here again to try their other entrees! This is a must try in the Berkeley area :) read more

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My coworker took me here for lunch, and I'm so sad I haven't eaten here sooner. I ordered the Madame Croque, which I've never had before. Filling and delicious, a pretty heavy meal so it definitely required a lie down afterwards. But soooo worth it. read more

Café Etoile - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cute Korean cafe next to Trader next to Trader Joe's. I ordered a pistachio coffee. They also have the usual Western pastries along with Korean meals and sweets which I will have to come back to try. read more

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The breakfast sandwich was delicious but it fell apart upon grabbing it, I had to eat the bits with a fork Flavor 10/10 Sandwich infrastructure 1/10 read more

A modest cafe style fusion neighborhood spot. Most of the seating accommodates small parties of 2-3 people. There's a couple of long tables to accommodate large groups. So if you come in with a party of 6 and you don't mind sharing a table with others then you're all good! It's self-serve so I can't really comment on the service. Plus, you bus your own table when you're done with your meal (which I don't mind). The food came out quick and well prepared. Every item we ordered was scrumptious!!! The mint latte had a subtle hint of mint (not overpowering) and was very good. Will definitely go back to try more delicious food! read more

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This café a few doors down from Trader Joe's is the perfect spot for brunching and working/studying! There is wifi, plenty of seating for individuals or small groups, and outlets near the big tables. The chicken and croffle is just as good as everyone says it is. The chicken is a thin slice of juicy chicken thigh meat, fried to perfection (I personally think the texture is reminiscent of popcorn chicken). The syrup isn't too spicy despite the name and pairs well with both the croffle and the chicken. If I were to get this again, I'd add some more spice on top. I also got the cherry blossom tea, which is a flavor I haven't seen other cafes offer. They were also nice enough to refill my hot water for me! :) Despite the growing lunch crowd, my food and drink came out speedily. As a side note, I loved the little flower vases they put next to the small tables. Really enjoyed romanticizing my remote work experience here! read more

Café Etoile - Chicken and Croffle - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Having driven by here countless times on my way to and from Trader Joe's, I finally stopped in to meet a friend for tea and will certainly return, thanks to the friendly folks, pleasant atmosphere, very nice chai and tasty basil pesto croffle! They have an interesting menu, including many Korean items. I'll be back! read more

I came here with two friends on a Sunday morning for brunch and to work and loved it. It was my first time there and the inside was super cozy. However, it was pretty crowded so if you want to study then 10am-1pm would not be the best time to go since they're pretty busy. I got the avocado toast + a scrambled egg and it was so good. The bread was super fluffy and chewy and they didn't skimp on the avocado or eggs. A perfect lunch and would definitely recommend stopping by here!! read more

Café Etoile - Avocado Toast + Eggg - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

Cafe Etoile was super cute! I was 8 months pregnant so that means a lot it's in the Berkeley area. We wanted to go somewhere cute and quiet for breakfast while attending a family reunion and we stumbled across this spot. We found street parking right across the street ( it's the Bay Area so please leave nothing in your car. My partner ordered the Chicken and Croffle it had like a sweet and spicy sauce over the waffle, it was really tasty and had great texture. I had the back on and egg sandwich with an over easy egg and I was definitely pleased. I also had an iced matcha which was also impressive. It was a pretty simple menu but the food was really good and the service was nice as well. Definitely worth a try! read more

Café Etoile - Dining area - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

I've driven by Café Etoile countless times and have always been entranced by their croffle photos. I tried a croffle elsewhere so the idea of popping in kind of disappeared. Aside from that point, but I was Yelping cafes with ample seating inside, accessible parking, and different drink and food choices. Café Etoile seemed like the best option that fit all categories. Located on the corner, the cafe is fairly easy to find. Outside there are a few tables while inside is more spacious. Plenty of space to work, study, or hang out with its close proximity to Cal. The communal and individual tables seemed popular for those working plus they have free WiFi. The baristas working were helpful and accommodating with our questions and requests. They remade our drinks after an error which was appreciated. Items come out staggered one at a time where they're retrieved at the bar. It can be hard to decide on what to get! The humble cafe offers small bites such as pastries and sandwiches. Plus beverages like espresso, tea, and iced drinks. As a tea lover, I couldn't pass up on an Iced Chai with Almond Milk. I asked for light ice and light sweetness; it's nice they offer alternatives. Unfortunately, the drink didn't shine. There was barely any chai flavor and it was more milky than I had expected. My Pop got his own drinks and a Cheese Croffle. He said it was okay but not noteworthy. If you're looking for a mix of French and Korean pastries, desserts, lunch items, and beverages then Café Etoile has your back! I recommend coming here if you're a student or worker at Cal due to its close proximity. Parking can be found in the shared Trader Joe's lot or on the street. This may not be a place I'll often seek out but I know if I come I'll get a decent beverage or small bite. read more

Café Etoile - Iced Chai Latte (Almond Milk) - French Near Me - Berkeley, California

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