Outstanding service. Ive come to this location a couple of times before, but yesterday the customer service was a game changer. I was greeted kindly and quickly during the Sunday rush. Lily was quick and just as sweet as I remember. Prompty after checking in Radean got my cocktail order. She went above and beyond to check on me and make sure I had what I needed to relax during the long wait. I really love how this location always has a cocktail service. My server, Jewel was a rockstar. So classy and friendly, by far my favorite Houstons location. read more

Consistently, delicious. Been coming here probably for more than 25+ years, this little gem in Pasadena never disappoints and always knows how to hit the right spots. My usual is always the Hawaiian Ribeye until several years ago, they had a guest star join the spotlight, the Wood Grilled Ribeye which made me a diehard fan. That guest star is now a regular on this delicious menu. And that wood fire aroma sipping from the grill right in front by the door to welcome you fills the air soon as you step through those elegant pair of gold framed glass doors will make you more hungry than ever before. You've been warned. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Pan-Asian Noodle Salad w/ Rotisserie Chicken - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Have enjoyed coming to Houston's for many years. Sadly their policy of not seating tables larger than 5, is going to be prohibitive. Guess they don't like family dining. read more

I was having an amazing anniversary dinner at Houston's Pasadena. Our waitress was wonderful, the food and service were great, and everything was going perfectly until an employee named Matthew Stover, who appeared to be serving the surrounding area, completely changed the tone of our experience. I was sitting with my partner and showing him a video of my nephew. The volume on my phone was fairly low. This was a very busy Sunday dinner, and the restaurant was already extremely loud with conversations all around us. Despite that, Matthew approached us and repeatedly told me that I needed to turn the volume down on my phone. I completely understand being considerate of other guests, and if my phone had actually been disruptive, I would have had no problem turning it down. But it wasn't. There were conversations around us that were significantly louder than the video I was watching, which made the interaction feel completely unnecessary and singled out. What made the situation particularly uncomfortable was that my partner and I are a gay couple and people of color, while Matthew is a white man. I cannot say what his intentions were, but the way the interaction happened left me feeling targeted and uncomfortable, especially because I was simply sharing a harmless video of my nephew with my partner during our anniversary dinner. The frustrating part is that this was otherwise a genuinely great experience. Our waitress was amazing, and I was having a wonderful time celebrating my anniversary until this interaction happened. Something that should have been a minor, polite request instead became the thing I left remembering about the restaurant. Management should seriously consider how employees approach guests and how these situations are handled. I came to Houston's to celebrate something special, not to feel singled out and uncomfortable at my table. read more

I have been going to Houston's for over 25 years, usually once or twice a month. It used to be my number-one favorite restaurant in California, both for the food and the service, and I have recommended it to countless friends. Unfortunately, last night's experience was extremely disappointing. After waiting 1 1/2 hours for a table, we were repeatedly pressured to order, treated rudely by the manager, and our food arrived missing several sides. After we had been seated for exactly 1 1/2 hours, we were told by the waiter that our time was up and we had to leave. I completely understand asking customers to leave when the restaurant is extremely busy, but there are much more respectful ways to do it. The restaurant was not even busy, with several empty tables. After 25+ years of loyalty, I'm very disappointed to say that Houston's is no longer my favorite restaurant. read more

This Houstons never disappoints. Everytime i come, service and food are always amazing. Ribeye medium rare, house salad with thousand island and sushi//crab cakes are my usual go tos. I love that they give seasoning salt for the fries and extra thousand island without us asking for it. Crab cakes are only sold at dinner time now. read more

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This is my second time here, the food is always delicious and our waitress was so sweet and attentive. The spinach and artichoke dip is always a favorite and is a good size, they also will give you extra chips. The california burger was good, I also love their fries and the seasoning it comes with. The french dip was also delicious, but I think this time when we got it, the dip was not as salty and the bun was not as soft as last time we had it. This was my first time trying the beans and rice, it was super flavorful. The beans tasted similar to barbeque sauce. The brownie was also really good, I like how most of the nuts were on top vs inside of the brownie Although this is a pricier meal, it is a good meal & ambience for a date night or girl's night' read more

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The last word 4: Going to Houston's is always an experience that I look forward to. I always rave about the highly professional servers and the excellent service, but during my last visit they came a little short of their usual attentiveness and attention to detail. Still a favorite restaurant of mine and highly recommended! Location 4: On the SE corner of S Arroyo Pkwy (a.k.a. Route 66) and Del Mar Blvd in the busy Pasadena, CA. Fortunately they offer free parking on the restaurant lot. Metered parking on the street is possible but limited. Venue 5: Upscale and trendy setting with comfortable indoor tables and booths. No outdoor seating. It is always very busy so be sure to make reservations way ahead of time Service 3.5: Our server this time was a little slow and casual, and not very attentive. This is unusual for Houston's. Food 5: Excellent, upscale comfort food. You simply cannot go wrong with anything on their menu. Drinks 3: Excellent (but small) list of creative specialty drinks. Full bar. Good list of beer and wine. While they do serve Espresso and Cappuccino and have a full bar, can you believe that they will not make you an Espresso Martini??? :D They also do NOT have decaf at all which is kind of unexpected. read more

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One of our favorite place in Pasadena, absolutely amazing place excellent food and service. Our lunch today was delicious and Natalie was absolutely fantastic. There's No Place like HOUSTON'S read more

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One of my favorite places to come to for drinks and dinner. Some of my favorite dishes is the pressed sushi, cheese burger, and a crisp martini. The ribeye was really good as well, it was super flavorful and tender. Service is always top tier which I really love. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Food was great, prices high. Service was fantastic.. EXCEPT ONE THING... We don't drink alcohol so we requested a seltzer water muddled with mint and cherries and THEY COULDN'T DO THAT!?!?! They COULDNT!?!? HOW ODD. We spent about $100 here and this was shocking. Never have we been told no for this drink order... Also, the hot towels are ridiculously hot-please turn down the temps. read more

My gf and I came to celebrate and we were so impressed with our experience! The food was phenomenal! Service was exemplary! Thank you Sky for your service! You were awesome! You are the best and we hope we get you next time! I got the Hawaiian Ribeye medium rare and it was cooked to perfection! Thank you Chef! My gf got the prime rib (French dip) and it was delicious! Prime rib was so soft and shaved thin. We also got the Thai Tuna Roll (recommended by Sky) and it was amazing! We both throughly enjoyed our experience and will definitely become irregular regulars lol! One of the best experiences I've had a restaurant in years. Well done everyone at Houston's (Pasadena). read more

Houston's Restaurant - Hawaiian Rib Eye Famous French Dip Au Jus - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

Love the service , food is top quality The ambiance is perfect for after a long day plenty of parking read more

This was my first time at any of the Hillstone restaurants and it did not disappoint. We had reservations and was seated relatively quickly, highly recommend making a reservation. We absolutely loved everything we ordered: -nigiri plate -rotisserie chicken -prime rib sandwich Everything tasted amazing (surprisingly the sushi was delicious!). We got cocktails and mid-cocktail the server came by and refreshed my martini glass to a cold one. The food quality and the service made our first visit so great that we are excited to try the other Hillstone restaurants. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Nigiri plate - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Our celebration go to for my dad. We always have a great experience and our meal is always perfect . Our staples are the Hawaiian ribeye with a baked potato and the French dip is a must. Great cocktails you can order while. Definitely a favorite read more

To the Management of Houston's Pasadena, I am writing to demand immediate accountability for the appalling humiliation my family endured at your establishment on September 5th. We selected your restaurant to celebrate my grandmother's 80th birthday, bringing with us a small, custom-made 6-inch carrot cake. From the moment we arrived, the service was shockingly unprofessional. Your hostess, Katie, immediately displayed open hostility, refusing to greet us, questioning our reservation without attempting to assist, and aggressively blocking us from bringing in our cake, baselessly claiming outside food is prohibited despite offering key lime pie. When we explained the cake was a time-sensitive birthday exception, she dismissively stated she would only "see if she could put it in the fridge," treating us like a burden rather than paying guests. ​The situation escalated when I returned from the restroom. Katie accosted me directly about a "dress code," demanding I remove my hat. When I pointed out that a man standing right next to her was wearing flip-flops and shorts, and a woman near us was in a revealing crop top, her hypocrisy was staggering. Instead of addressing that, she simply glared and walked away. ​Most egregious was the complicity of your manager, Jordan. We later realized she had been standing right next to Katie the entire time, silently observing our distress. Despite hearing our repeated pleas regarding my grandmother's age and the melting cake, she offered zero assistance. When we finally demanded to speak with her, she approached with a cold, condescending smirk. Rather than de-escalating, she audaciously blamed us for not "calling in advance." We were not hosting a raucous event; we were simply having lunch and wanted to share a small birthday dessert. To suggest that a milestone celebration requires advance clearance for a 6-inch cake is absurd, especially from an establishment of your supposed caliber. ​Furthermore, after being told we could not bring our own cake, and having our daughter's friend--a loyal patron for over 15 years--expressly state this would be her last visit due to this treatment, the manager showed complete apathy. Jordan did not even acknowledge the presence of a long-time customer making a very serious complaint, choosing instead to look away with an attitude of condescending annoyance. ​Most outrageously, because my grandmother was leaving to catch a flight and could not transport the entire cake, we were forced to cut and serve it in the parking lot, in the scorching heat. Your staff refused to provide even basic to-go containers for an 80-year-old woman, an act that can only be described as barbaric. ​We spent hundreds of dollars at your establishment, yet were treated with absolute disdain. Be assured that this experience will be documented in detail on public review forums, and this formal complaint is being forwarded directly to your corporate office. This treatment is entirely unacceptable. read more

Houston's Restaurant - While celebrating my grandmother's 80th birthday, us cutting her cake in the parking lot, citing a policy prohibiting outside food. ​ - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Houston's has been one of my favorite steak restaurants in Pasadena for years, and I'm happy to say it is just as good today as I remember. Even though it's part of a chain, the restaurant consistently delivers quality food, reliable service, and a comfortable atmosphere that keeps me coming back. The steak was cooked perfectly and paired well with their classic fries, which were crisp, flavorful, and always a satisfying side. The salad was also exceptionally fresh, with high-quality ingredients that made it feel more thoughtful than a typical steakhouse starter. What I appreciate most about Houston's is its consistency--whether visiting years ago or today, the food quality and service remain dependable. Service was attentive, professional, and efficient throughout the meal. The only downside is the long line at the entrance, even for guests with reservations. However, the staff manages the crowd well, and despite the wait, we were seated earlier than expected. Overall, Houston's continues to be one of the most reliable dining spots in Pasadena, offering a great steakhouse experience with solid food, excellent service, and a level of consistency that is increasingly hard to find. read more

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I came here for an early Valentine dinner but everyone seem to have the same idea as us so the wait was long. Note to self: Make a reservation next time. While waiting, there was a waitress who took drinks orders for people waiting. Other than the long wait, when my bf and I got seated, we were seated at the Bar. I ordered the Hawaiian steak and he ordered the wood grilled ribeye. I kept stealing my boyfriend's fries, the baked potato was alright. However for the medium Hawaiian steak, I ordered it was really good, the marinate was sweet and flavorful. My bf's wood grilled steak was very juicy. The service was friendly and kept asking us if we needed anything. read more

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Fast service on Thursday 5 pm . Party of 2 gets seated pretty fast and the bar is also available for singles . Courteous and friendly staff- the food is Delicious . I got a cheeseburger with cheddar cheese. Medium rare- delicious . I got a tequila shot with no additives anejo tequila. Best , best night ever. Come over and enjoy a lovely early dinner. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Tequila margarita - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I wish Yelp had half ratings because I would give this place a 3.5. Some dishes were great but others fell short. Reservations are a must, it gets busy even for lunch. And honestly if I were to come back, I would only go for dinner. The price you pay is too high for lunch. Inside is dimly lit, another reason it's better to go for dinner, has a more romantic vibe. Service was really good 5/5. We got some sushi and the spinach dip. I would skip the sushi, it was mediocre, not worth the price. Spinach dip as also just ok. They can do without the sour cream on the side. Main dish which was the sole was actually really good. Amazing flavor, I would recommend it for sure! read more

Houston's Restaurant - Sole - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

I probably would have given the restaurant a 3.5 but the main entrees were delicious. Okay, so I think the appetizers and sushi were lacking, especially for the price. The layered sushi roll is 5 pieces of low quality sushi. The spinach dip is like eating Applebee's spinach dip. I was scared our main dishes were going to be similar. Fortunately, the main dishes were great. We ordered the Hawaiian steak, which was seasoned and cooked well. The prime rib sandwich was delicious as well. Don't waste money on the appetizers or sushi. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Hawaiian steak - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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My wife and I came to Houston's for my birthday dinner, but we've actually been here many times because the food, service, and ambience are consistently top notch. Our go-to dishes are the Hawaiian Steak (medium rare) and either the Baby Back Ribs or the French Dip. The Hawaiian Steak is super juicy and flavorful, and the loaded baked potato is to die for. The Baby Back Ribs have a great barbecue flavor with a nice crisp texture, and the fries are always solid. The beef in the French Dip is also really tender and moist, which makes it another favorite. The service is excellent, from the hosts at the front to the wait staff. Everyone is friendly and attentive. The ambience is modern and dimly lit, which makes it a great spot for a date night or special occasion. Another plus is the free parking lot with plenty of spaces, which is always convenient. It does get pretty busy, so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Overall, Houston's is one of those places that's consistently good, which is why we keep coming back. read more

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Reservations were easy and was made directly through their website (https://houstons.com/locations/pasadena/). I made reservations the night before for a late lunch and was able to lock one in. We were a couple of minutes early and they already had a table set up for me and my wife. Leilani was our server and she was simply amazing! From the time we sat down, to ordering and food arriving to our table, everything was quick. Our go to items are always the Pan-Asian Noodle Salad and The Hawaiian (medium-rare). Food was made-to-order and portions were large enough to share between the both of us. The Spinach Artichoke dip is a must for us, but we were so full trying to finish everything. EVERYTHING was delicious! Overall, the staff was extremely attentive and were always checking in on us to see if we needed anything. At one point, we ran out of chips for the artichoke dip and they brought some more for us immediately. Houston's is always a nice treat for us when in the area and we can't wait to come back again! read more

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Always love coming here either for lunch or dinner. Dirty martinis are refreshing Ribs are always great, can't ever go wrong with ribs at Houston's. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Barbecue Ribs - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

The Spinach and Artichoke dip was definitely one of the best parts of the meal, and so was the Hawaiian steak. Not only is the food incredible, but the service is also fantastic. The ambiance is great. Highly recommend if you enjoy comfort foods but want to try going to a more upscale location. read more

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Just like a baseball player sometimes the best strike out but innings later they hit a home run, service starts out a little slow. Picks up and ends the night4/5 dip sandwich and ribs are always a go to and you know I appreciate I bit of "table touching" a manager did come by to say hello read more

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Haha I guess I'm updating my review. I just wanted to add pictures. Well still my favorite place to get a great steak and even better bistro burger. Houston's is a great place to go when you're looking for a little bit class and lots of quality. Everything is great from the apps to the mains. Plus the service is so kind and helpful. Still no high chair or booster seat option for the kiddos. A true 5/5 Always an easy recommendation. read more

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Emma is wonderful (more on that later)! I'm a Houston's regular and tonight's experience confirmed why it remains a great choice for fine dining in Pasadena. We ordered the grilled chicken sandwich and the wood ribeye steak (side of coleslaw for me). Both were excellent. Sorry, I was eager to dive in and didn't take pictures. The ambiance was also great, per the usual, and tonight's service was exceptional. Emma was kind, anticipated our needs with a precision that was actually quite frightening at first - I literally thought, "we went through our tortilla chips too fast" (a first, but it's been a minute since our schedules aligned for a Houston's visit), and before I could say anything she was there. Despite how busy it was, Emma was always a step ahead! Thanks for another great night, Houston's - and special thanks to the amazing Emma for making our night all the more special. read more

We made dinner reservations for Friday and found free parking pretty easily in their lot. Upon check in we were sat within 5min. Our waiter Madison was very attentive and had great recommendations! We tried the Hawaiian ribeye (10/10!) and the nigiri plate - both steak and fish were smooth like butter! Their chardonnay and hot fudge sundae were delicious as well. Will definitely come back for another date night! read more

Houston's Restaurant - Nigiri plate - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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I live near Pasadena and have been wanting to try this restaurant for a while, so I was really excited to finally make it here. I took my mom for a nice lunch, and despite having a 3:30 reservation, the restaurant was surprisingly busy. No big deal, though--we were seated around 3:37 in a cozy booth with nice, dim lighting. I'll admit, my expectations were pretty high because I've heard so many great things about this place. So far, everything was off to a good start. The service was friendly, and every staff member we interacted with was genuinely kind and welcoming. As for the food, we started with the artichoke and spinach dip. It was good, but unfortunately, I don't think it was worth the $20+ price tag. The portion and price made it feel more like it should have been an entrée than an appetizer. Unfortunately, my salmon was served raw in the middle. I had to send it back, and by that point, I had completely lost my appetite, which was disappointing. My mom ordered the Asian chicken salad. It was perfectly fine, but neither of us felt like it was anything particularly special or memorable. Overall, I really wanted to love this place, especially given how excited I was to finally try it. The atmosphere and service were great, but unfortunately, the food didn't live up to the expectations I had going in. Maybe it was just an off day, but for the prices, I expected a little more. read more

Hadn't been to this restaurant in many years, the food didn't disappoint however before we were even seated I was asked to remove my baseball cap, at 3:00 in the afternoon this didn't make sense. After taking the last bite of dessert and spending over $300 a guy approached our table and gave a song and dance about their full reservations basically asking us to leave, we were definitely put off by that and we were celebrating a birthday which was embarrassing for the birthday person. If you're spending hundreds of dollars at an establishment you should be able to stay for a little while to at least let your meal settle before being kicked out. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Key Lime Pie - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

A 10 out of 10 experience. I took my friend here for her birthday and between the both of us, we ordered the Caesar salad, the spinach and artichoke dip, the fillet, and the ribeye. Everything was amazing and the steaks were cooked to perfection. I am not usually a person who likes marinated steaks however their ribeye was tender and so flavorful I would highly recommend each and every dish that we got. Our server, Nico, ensured that our experience here was nothing less than wonderful. Houston's restaurant is definitely a gem of Pasadena. If you're looking for a great steak or a girls night or a date night, I would highly recommend this wonderful restaurant. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Center-cut Filet - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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Houston's is so good! I brought my mom for her birthday. Houston's is always a hit. The spinach dip and bbq ribs are my favorite. Last night, the line was crazy though! We waited almost 2 hours to be seated but it was well worth the wait! I will be back, wait time be darned! Our waiter was very attentive and the host was gracious. Free parking during the week! read more

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Houston's is one of my absolute favorites. I usually visit 2-3 times per month. The food and service are reliably good. Always. Their French dip and "adult fish and chips" (pan fried petrale sole) are two of my favorites. If you order a martini they provide a fresh cold glass half-way through your drink. In terms of ambience, it's classy and upscale. They do not do groups so you don't have to worry about big, rowdy, messy tables. There's also no children's menu so I find that there are very few, if any, children there. They have a dedicated parking lot (self-parking) as well as street parking and an overflow garage. read more

So disappointed in the quality of the food. It felt like i just went to a Chilis and not a "high end" Hillstone Restaurant. Everything we ordered was a 2/10 except the dirty martini. The sushi, the burger, the fries. They don't do espresso martinis, they don't have club soda, the artichoke was "out of season", they don't even have a dessert menu. Every ask was denied politely. The staff were really wonderful and sweet but wow the food was really awful. I used to love Houston's but I will never go there again. As a Pasadena resident, I expected so much more and left really disappointed. read more

Houston's Restaurant - Steakhouses Near Me - Pasadena, California

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5 star rating for years until now.. I use to enjoy Houston's. We have dined at this location for 20+ years. Customer service, managers, and the amazing meals. Came here two nights in a row and thought maybe it was a bad day for the manager and server. But no, I guess this is the new way. Customers are garbage because the restaurant is so busy now... very disappointed. read more

Sexy atmosphere. Delectable steaks. Amazing Asian noodle salad. Gorgeous sushi. Freshly grilled artichokes. Cocktails like Paper Planes and crisp martinis with goat cheese stuffed olives. Warm apple tart with walnuts and ice cream. A beautiful Koi pond in the lobby and outside. Every meal here has been superb. Free parking makes it even more sexy! Make reservations because otherwise your wait time will be 45 minutes to an hour. Be aware that there is a dress code. Nothing too fancy, but don't look sloppy. It's a beautiful place -- so go for it! read more

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Always consistently wonderful. The best margaritas and food. Fresh Fresh, Fresh ingredients are always used and it shows in the quality of the dishes. If you love french fries , they are a MUST try at Houston's. The service at the Pasadena location Is amazing and again always consistent. Not one complaint and plenty of accolades for Houston's Pasadena! read more

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I dine at Hillstone restaurants frequently. However I look at two reviews that are negative and I might add they shouldn't be commenting. One complains about the dress code...well that is because they want quality customers and the other about how terrible it was for someone took too long to finish their meal. So make a reservation if you know the chain they are all busy so plan aead. It's terrible people that make these comments don't appreciate a decent establishment that caters to a classy demographic. Go to Dennys where your people; wear kmart clothing and expect people to shovel food in their face at a fast rate. read more

It's been a long time coming since I've been back to Houston's. And boy do I miss it. Food was delicious. The service was excellent. I was seated at the bar and even though the bartenders were swamped they were still attentive and make sure everything was good and if anything else was needed. It was crowded for a Friday afternoon, you can imagine how bust it would be during dinner time and weekends. I would always recommend Houston's, you can never go with wrong with a Pasadena staple. I'll be making more trips back. I will say the sushi was okay, maybe because of the roll I got. But it wasn't bad either. Maybe I'll try a different one next time. read more

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