It was our first time here, so we asked for seats at the bar, which looks directly into the kitchen. We had so much fun, and we could see that all of the staff were also having a good time. Nothing but positivity, and it transfers into each and every delicious dish! We absolutely loved the complimentary cheese puffs (Gougeres). It was the perfect start to a fantastic meal. I enjoyed a starter of beet, walnut and cheese tart, and my dining partner thought his French Onion soup was stellar. I chose Monkfish stew for my main dish. It was incredible....silky, savory broth with melt-in-your-mouth monkfish plus tender shrimp and asparagus. The bread served with the stew was so delicious to soak it all up. My dining partner thoroughly enjoyed his Bistro steak with king trumpet mushrooms. The mushrooms were so elevated and so delicious. We shared a side of charred carrots and thought very highly of them, too. We closed out our epic meal by sharing one slice of Gateau Basque cake. It was served with a side of a tart cherry compote, and together this dessert was perhaps THE BEST dessert outside of France. Incredible! Sitting at the bar, our server was bartender Nina W. She was entertaining and didn't mind all of our ongoing questions. She added a another level of true enjoyment to our experience. Just as we were finishing up our dining experience the orchestrating chef stopped over to introduce herself. Once Annemarie said her name, I knew she was one of the founders of Lallander and next-door Bloom Bake Shop, having been a customer ever since their first bakery in Middleton. I told Annemarie how impressed we both were with the food, and how all the staff seemed so happy. She said something like a restaurant is only successful with good people. It seems she is keeping her people, and her customers, very happy. read more

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This French inspired place was on our list to try so with a reservation made two weeks in advance we arrived on a cold snowy Friday evening. We were ten minutes early and they had just opened - strangely they would not seat us though our seats at the kitchen bar were open. So we huddled on the bench five feet away from our seats. It was not a great start but that was soon forgotten given the rest of the evening was fun. When I went on-line to make a reservation the only seats available were at the kitchen bar - that turned out to be fortunate because it was highly entertaining. When we return we will book these seats again as a couple (if you are with a group it is not a good place to hold a conversation). The bartender/ our server Jackson was super friendly and did a great job answering all our questions as we quizzed him on the action in the kitchen which was right in front of us (it's a small tight space). We ordered a beer and a wine followed by a small cup of French onion soup which was very tasty and a serving of their pate which was also very good. It was good that we had these front row seats because for some reason the kitchen appeared to be running a bit slow so the wait for our mains was pretty long. We did notice that when the owner arrived she started to direct the kitchen staff and the pace picked up! I got the pork tenderloin which was very flavorful and done with a bit of pink so it was not dry. It was a large serving. My wife got the sea bass in a puff pastry which was beautifully presented. The sauce was essential otherwise the dish would have been a bit plain. She really liked it. We were too full for desserts but they looked tempting though they did give us some savory cookies from their Bloom Bakery which is next store. This is not an inexpensive place to dine but it was well worth it. We will be back! read more

Lallande - Sea bass in puff pastry - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Excellent dinner spot! We enjoyed a meal with another couple and our dining experience felt special. We were celebrating a birthday and the birthday boy got a free dessert. Everything we ate was delicious and it was fun to try a lot of different dishes. The favorite entree was the fish special. You can't go wrong with whatever you order! Enjoy! read more

We came here for the first time to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We made a reservation online (a must!) and chose to sit at the counter adjacent to the kitchen, and I'm glad we did. (like a chef's table) It was so interesting to watch them prepare the food and watch the dynamics of a busy kitchen. We noticed the dining room was dark and romantic but no regrets on sitting where there was more light and entertainment. That also made Nina who was taking care of us that night (and bartending) close by in case we needed anything. Nina, btw, and all the staff were exceptional. The seasonal cocktails were perfect! I wanted to have room for dessert but it wasn't going to happen! So much food! (they have their seasonal menu available on their website so you can check it out in advance) We will be back! read more

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This was my first experience at a high end restaurant in Madison and they really set the bar high. We sat at the bar and got to awe everyone working in unison. The head chef is also the restaurant owner and clearly has a passion for excellence and hospitality. The escargot was my favorite but all of the dishes were topping 9/10 (I prefer the bigger American steaks but that's personal preference). Can't go wrong with French onion soup, leek vinaigrette, sea bass, or the squash! I'm usually a one and done for expensive places but I would definitely come back here again for a special occasion! read more

Lallande - French steak - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Date night at Lallande is a must! This restaurant is so cozy and romantic. They even have a fireplace and an open kitchen, so bar seating is dinner and a show. Food was phenomenal and we were able to get so many gluten free items. The charred carrots and the potatoes au gratin were my favorite but truly everything was delicious. Service was also excellent and quick. I really enjoyed this meal/restaurant and I love how they switch their menu up frequently so I can always try something new. read more

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Hands down best French restaurant the Captain has ever been to. Escargot was like back in Paris. Warm and quaint atmosphere with great service. Will definitely be back. Fois gras would be a nice addition. The Captain loves it. read more

Best restaurant in Madison. Great food, great ambience, great service. I'll definitely be back

It was a surprising coming here but my partner made reservations at the bar, which I actually highly recommend. I'd say table seating might be good for a social interaction but for date night, sitting at the bar was exciting to see all the action. Service was phenomenal and I wish I had gone with the servers recommendation of the seasonal halibut. We ordered some NA drinks which were delicious. I loved the seasonal tarte flambee: such a nice crisp, light from all the veggies. We got the charred carrots that came with the meal and we left stuffed. We loved the sweetness they added with the dates and a zing of the lemon. I loved the steak. The green sauce was so herby and flavorful. I was a bit disappointed in my dish, I think it could've used a bit of salt but it was very creamy. Lastly the dessert! I wish they had a dessert sampler . Literally my favorite part of the meal. The dessert was not too sweet which made you wanting more! They sent some shortbread cookies home too that (in hindsight) would've been great with a cup of tea at home. I would 100% come back here to try the other dishes! read more

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Cannot say enough good things about Lallande. This French inspired restaurant pays attention to the small details and its staff go above and beyond to provide excellent service. The interior is small and intimate and the kitchen is open to the dining area. You can also get a seat at the bar and watch them prepare the food. We tried the leak and goat cheese starter, as well as the escargot. The pastry of the goat cheese dish was flakey and the buttery escargot was mouth watering. The seabass entree was unreal and my steak was cooked to perfection. The Maverick was one of the best cocktails I've tried lately. The warm citrus flavors were unmatched. The is a must try in Madison, I cannot recommend Lallande enough. read more

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Arrived for our reservation at the kitchen counter. Very warm and friendly greeting. Nina did a wonderful job welcoming us and as first timers. Covered everything very well. The staff and the food were amazing. Annamarie the owner was orchestrating the kitchen symphony but took the time to talk with us when time allowed. DEFINITELY worth a trip, we live out of town but we will be back read more

Lallande - Lamb lollipops - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

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Celebrated a special anniversary at Lallande for a weekend dinner. We had made the reservation a few weeks in advance (highly recommend as spots fill up quick). This was the first French-style restaurant that I visited. The service was exceptional. Our waitress gave us complimentary champagne to celebrate our special occasion. We started with madelines with a dill yogurt spread (on the house). The dish was really unique, hadn't tasted anything like it before. We ordered cocktails that were really delicious and paired them with a salami and cheese charcuterie board. Next we had roasted eggplant and poissan en croute (highly recommend this!) which were both great as well. To end, we had the arroz con leche which was served with a slow cooked apple that was delicious. Overall, had a great time - would recommend! read more

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I have finally crossed escargot off my bucket list! Lallande has been recommended to me for far too long, so it was about time I finally gave it a try. When we first arrived, the hostess was very attentive and kind. We were escorted to our table ahead of our reservation time. The menu was explained to us in a swift, yet understandable manner. The waitress was incredibly kind and checked on us many times. The hostesses also came around often to make sure we were never without food or beverage. We felt so welcome and taken care of! The Sauvignon Blanc was the perfect accompaniment to the cheesy, buttery goodness of the escargot. Our waitress was very knowledgeable to suggest the perfect drink! She even came back to ask if we needed more bread to "soak up the garlic butter" - UM, YES! We didn't even have to shamefully ask for more The croque monsieur was SO salty and cheesy and good. I could eat that every day! And I loooove baby pickles. Literally the best. The house made chips were the perfect salty side dish. I have had 3 different people rave to me about the charred carrots, so of course I had to get them. Since it was an early birthday dinner for me, I received a complimentary slice of lemon mascarpone cake, and I've officially decided I need to get them to make my birthday cake every year. TO DIE FOR! Oh, and before we got the bill, the chef came out to the table to personally wish me a happy birthday. I'm blown away by this place! Next time I'm excited to try the Tarte Flambée! read more

I stopped by for dinner. The place was on the smaller side. But the ambiance is very good. I was there on a Wednesday evening. The place was almost full. I got the last table. The complimentar radish came with miso chilli sauce. That combination was really good. Seems they make the miso chilli sause inhouse. The water has mint leaves infused. That is a nice touch. Charred carrots was my favorite dish here. Carrots were nicely charred, with pistachios, and it had nice flavors. For my entree, I went for a croque monsieur. I also added an extra egg on the top. It was a good sandwich, but I think it was saltier than I would like. Probably I would have liked croque forrestier better. They surprised me with 4 complimentary cookies to take home. read more

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I've been meaning to dine here since they opened and last week 2 different people said it was great. OK. We were there last Thursday and enjoyed our meal choices but not so much where we were seated - by the hallway when there were several tables available in nicer places. This I don't understand. We started with martinis. Asked for NO vermouth but both arrived with vermouth. Plus they serve only one brand of gin or vodka. They replaced the bar order error. Anyway, I'm a chicken liver fan and the chicken liver mousse with onion jam earned a 10/10 on my tasty scale. We ordered the petite salad and it was quite petite. Perfectly dressed. Then to our main, the "bourride setoise" but the monkfish was replaced with cod. The fish was perfectly cooked as were the shrimp and we were very happy with the dish. Service was attentive and professional. read more

What a gem of a place! This restaurant is the perfect addition to Monroe street. Quaint, upscale, but homey. The restaurant is named after the owners grandmother and she was amazing to stop by the table and introduce herself. They've only been open for 2 months but i know they are going to be one of the places to watch. With a simple rotating menu, inspired by all regions of France it's a perfect date night or place to celebrate! We went for our anniversary and got the escargot, single cheese offering (pecorino), chicken dish, and monkfish entree. Everything was fantastic, well portioned and timed. If you haven't had escargot before it's a good place to try it. Tbh it reminds me of clams or muscles. The cheese is probably something you can pass on but was a nice snack. Oh how could i forget the free appy of radishes and miso paste. That was delish, but onto the main courses, to me the chicken had too much mustard on it but my partner thoroughly enjoyed it. As I did with the monkfish dish. It was perfectly balanced and textured with a very savory soup and perfectly crusty but soaked up saucy bread. Absolutely Divine. For dessert we had the pear tart and it was incredible. Flaky, not too sweet and just overall a perfect way to end the meal. The only critique I have is expanding the bar options a bit as they mostly had gin and vodka drinks. Would have loved to have a vesper added to the menu. Be sure to make a reservation as this place is popular!! Happy eating! read more

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Every dish is excellent, every time! I don't know how they do it but one of the absolute best in Madison.

Another outstanding meal at Lallande on Monroe St.!We ordered the Fromage Fort, Salad Lyonnaise, Magret Duck for Two, Duck Fat Potatoes, and an amazingly decadent chocolate "cake" with buttermilk ice cream and caramel. Since it was our birthday, they brought us a complimentary chocolate and buttercream cake with candles. We love sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartender while watching all the action in the kitchen. The fall menu is full of so many great dishes! Unfortunately, the molten cake was too delicious to not eat right away read more

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Safe for me as a person with celiac. Staff is very kind. The space is the perfect temperature.

I think this might be my new favorite restaurant in Madison! I was blown away by the entire experience. The host was extremely pleasant and she brought over champagne for us as we were celebrating our anniversary. The food was amazing. I could eat the herb butter and baguette from the escargots for every meal. I really enjoyed the skate as well and my boyfriend loved the chicken dish. Our server was incredible and didn't miss a beat. The restaurant itself is cozy and homey. I love the open concept - I can't wait to go back and dine at one of the barstool seats next to the kitchen! Really outstanding meal and I would highly recommend to anyone for any meal!!! read more

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Such an incredible meal and experience at Lallande. The space is beautiful and has a European feel to it. The staff is extremely knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and detail oriented. Our waiter explained their menu, how to set up the meal, and provided excellent suggestions. Everyone at Lallande worked as a team. We had our main waiter, a wine specialist, servers, etc. I loved the way they worked together to provide an amazing experience. Their menu includes charcuterie or cheese boards, soup and salad, main dishes, and dessert. You order everything together and then the chef and the waiter coarse the meal for you. We started off with a crisp bottle of white wine from Bordeaux. They brought out little pastry type bites to start, they were delicious! Next we had the escargots. If you read other reviews everyone says to get them and they are right! Buttery and delicious! We then enjoyed the Little Mountain Fromage plate however the portion size was a bit small for our table to share (4 people). We then had the leeks in vinaigrette and the charred carrots. I think both of these were my favorite dishes out of the whole meal. They were so good! For my main I had the Parisienne Gnocchi. It was served in a small skillet, not your normal gnocchi. The flavor was rich and incredible. Others at my table had the Croques sandwich with homemade chips and the skate. Everything was delicious! We were here celebrating my birthday and were surprised with two pieces of incredible chocolate cake with some type of peanut butter frosting. They even added a birthday candle to it. Because they also own Bloom (next door) all of their baked goods are from the bakery. I love this! Lastly, the chef came out while we were finishing up to check on tables. She is such a genuine, kind person. If you haven't been to Lallande already you have to go, you will be WOWED! read more

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Wonderful restaurant in Madison. Cozy atmosphere. We sat next to a fireplace and the ambience is fantastic. Excellent service. Highly recommend the drink "maverick". Delicious. French onion soup was amazing as well. Highly recommend checking out. read more

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Great experience here. We got reservations at the bar and were able to enjoy the activity in the kitchen. Staff was attentive but not annoying. The food was soooo top notch fresh. If I go back I will try different things to mix it up. The flatbread looked amazing as did the escargot people were raving, but I was too timid to try this time. Pretty garnishes and details abound! read more

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We made reservations for a Saturday night, and they were running a little bit behind, but they offered us drinks and drinks and ended up being on the house, which I thought was a kind gesture. From start to finish, the service from the hostesses to our waitress were also knowledgeable and kind. We started out with the chef's choice of cheese, in which the chef came off and described their excitement about each one and how they all go together and where they are sourced from, which I thought was such a personal touch because it felt more like we're eating inside someone's home than it was a more upscale restaurant. All of those were so delicious from start to finish, because in reality, where can you go wrong with cheese, crackers, and delicious spreads? I shared two mains, the first being the croque Forestier, which was a delightful and savory sandwich. Despite the cheesy top common it was not as heavy in the stomach as I thought it would be, and I feel like I really disabled each bite. The chips were few in a little too salty for my taste, the pickles were excellent and a great little crunch in the meal. We ended with the stuff squash, which I seriously want to try to replicate at home but probably won't be able to - the beans were tender, the soft was perfectly roasted, and it was just a really satisfying entree that was well seasoned. Give Lallande a try if you have a soft spot for farm to table cooking and seasonal ingredients. The ambiance is great for date night, wouldn't necessarily recommend it for large groups - but it's dimly lit and feels like an intimate space that I'm sure we'll host many more in the future! read more

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out of this world!! the staff the food them menu all of it is perfection!! Already thinking of the next reservation

Delicious and fresh food, lots of vegetarian offerings - we will be back! We were so excited to try this new neighborhood spot. The prices are pretty good and we were delighted to see the many local ingredients highlighted. Service started with an amuse bouche of radishes and an spicy aoli dip. They have plenty of wines, a small list of cocktails, as well as a few mocktails. We ordered quite a few items so we could try a lot- not realizing that the portions were pretty large! We had food to take home. The cheese list has something for everyone and our sever did an excellent job explaining each cheese to us. We then ordered the squash tarte which was AMAZING. So light and summery. Next were the carrots adorned with dates and pistachios- a fun and unexpected combo to add some sweet and saltiness (menu said cilantro, but I couldn't taste it). Last we ordered the Croque Forestier - a vegetarian play on a croque madam but with mushrooms. We were too stuffed to order dessert but the options looked unique. This place is still finding its legs: no screens/blinds on the windows and with the sun setting it was a bit blinding (they said these are on order). The spacing of the dishes was too quick. We asked for our dishes to be spaced out so we could enjoy each as it came out. But they came out too quickly and by the time we ate our main, it was tepid. They also don't have a phone listed, which we tried to call to let them know we were running a few minutes behind. Not sure how to get ahold of them. The service was lovely and the space is intimate- about 5 seats at the bar looking into the kitchen and 8 or so tables. We will be back- as I am guessing the menu will change based on what ingredients are in season. Plus I want to try the desserts read more

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Fantastic French restaurant. Every dish was outstanding. Service very good, lovely ambiance. Will definitely return.

We had a wonderful dinner. The location is small but they do a great job delivering a wonderful dining experience. I was impressed with the unique food menu. We enjoyed the steak, carrots, cheese and a meat charcuterie. read more

Lallande - a plate of food with bread and dipping sauce - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Lallande was incredible. From first bite to last; everything was perfect. Staff were welcoming and knowledgeable, service was impeccable. Wine recs were spot on. The baked goods are from Bloom next door and melt in your mouth. The French onion soup is to die for. Loved the quiet sophistication and ability to leisurely enjoy our courses. First visit and can't wait to return! read more

Excellent service and food. Hands down 10/10. From the concierge to the wait staff very professional and friendly. Chef and staff - excellent presentation favor and taste. One of the Best In Madison! read more

THEY HAVE A VEGAN MENU, despite the first glance. Call and ask if you are unsure, but they come through every time! Simple and fresh ingredients wielded by a master flavor maker. This chef understands the power of a vegetable and how to tease out its highlights through texture, temperature, or seasonings. Delicate find in a meat and cheese covered city. Our last visit, we ordered lentil butternut soup, leeks, carrots, and a vegan Coq au vin. Sounds basic, but it wasn't! No weird gastronómica, but a Frechified step up for Wisconsin. Ps. Don't worry meat-eaters, they DO have meat. read more

The food was fun and good Only complaint is thst it was expensive so more of a special occasion place , rather than a place to go on a monthly basis read more

The food was fantastic... we had cucumber soup , and escargo appetizers, salmon and steak entrees with a carrot torte to share. The server Sadie was terriffic..... very personable and informative as well as efficient without rushing us. We skipped dessert... but they sent my husband home with a beautiful piece of chocolate cake since it was his birthday... a lovely suprise! read more

Lallande is a gem to Madison, and should be praised and loved by everyone. Service is impeccable, food is some of the best I've ever had, the wine list and cocktails superb, and the ambiance is perfection. If you love French wine, then the list will blow you away!! Love this place!! read more

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They do everything right. Being able to see in the kitchen is pretty cool. If you're sitting at the bar, you get quite the show. They do it so well and they take great joy in how they do things. It's evident that they did their homework on how to run a very cozy, intimate and efficient operation with incredible ingredient sourcing. They make you feel special. Everything on the menu is awesome. It's also run in conjunction with Bloom bakeshop, next door. That helps too... read more

Service was inviting and knowledgeable, fairly gracious when I mispronounced one of the wines. Attempted to up sell us on some roast vegetables to "complete the experience" but they didn't go that step further and say "you shouldn't miss the ______, it's stellar". Maybe they honestly don't have a strong recommendation. The commitment to seasonality and locally produced products was explained but there was no portion of the menu highlighting local ingredients or what's in season. At the very least early ramps are popping, walleye or pike perhaps, something, anything other than cheese. We arrived at 5:30 on a Wednesday and found we should have made reservations. Came back and had an abbreviated experience with a couple of drinks and entrees. The cocktail menu was repetitive, lots of Elderflower. There isn't much inventive or broadly/"interpretatively" French about the cocktails. There is an opportunity to feature Rhum Agricoles or Haitian Clarins with a bright and funky Spring offering. The wine menu was not as diverse or eclectic as you'd hope, especially as Natural Wine and Wild fermentation are booming right now. I opted for the skate because it's in season (not in the Midwest but...) and I'm a sucker for brown butter/skate dishes. At $38 it fell very flat. No brown butter detectable at all. Completely missing that nuttiness. There was also a component of the dish that was not a part of the menu description. It looked like it was maybe deep fried spinach but it was SO salty. Crunchy salt crystals in those bites. It was very confusing. The dish did need salt but it was all concentrated in whatever that was. The skate itself had no crust or crunch, which could just be a choice, but I was hoping for some caramelized sear. The portion was very European which is fine if the flavor hits. I ate it all but that wasn't indicative of how much I liked it. This was just my first experience so I'll be sure to give them another shot but probably won't drop $$$ next time. I'll check out the sandwiches. They NEED frites on the menu badly. Since Brasserie V is closed and their replacement is underwhelming there's an opportunity for a frites game. Finally, ambiance...it was fine. So many employees for a not so busy night. This baffles me about Madison restaurants. The bustle is lost and the prices are high. I gave 3 stars because they're trying but for the price I'd give a 2.5 if I could. read more

We just dined here and everything was excellent. The menu apparently rotates often but if you go soon we thought the shishito tarte flambée, bavette, and herb potatoes were standouts. The carrots and the late summer salad were great too. By the way, the drink menu is well thought out and even the non-alcoholic options were excellent (we loved the blueberry nojito in particular). The service was excellent and timely without being overbearing. So great job there as well. We will be back soon! read more

Today I discovered the new restaurant which became our favorite in Madison. Everything was outstanding at this small and cozy family run establishment: very attentive and friendly service, lovely background music, comfortable seating, and of course, the perfectly cooked dishes. The escargots that we shared with my husband were truthfully the best outside of France, not overly garlicky with a touch of cheese and parsley, they were a real masterpiece. My halibut was flaky and very tasty. My husband absolutely loved his bistrot steak with king trumpet mushrooms. We finished the dinner with a Rhubarb Sundae, At the end of the dinner, chef came to our table to check how we liked the food and to share the family story. How delightful! With the bill we were presented a small packet of cookies to take home and a lovely postcard with the name of the restaurant. We had an amazing experience and cannot wait to be back! I highly recommend! read more

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This is such a new neighborhood gem! We are so lucky to have such a special place right in our backyard. The atmosphere, food and drink were all just perfect!! read more

Lallande - French martini - French Near Me - Madison, Wisconsin

Tried a new French bistro, Lalande. As you can see, we attacked the fromage plate, had a little resistance with the pain covered in onions and lardon. I LOVED the chilled beet soup, but I have found very few chilled summer soups that I don't love. We had the fish, beef and eggplant. They made a beautiful plate and were delicious. read more

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