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Porta’Vino

4.2 (224 reviews)
Open • 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated 2 months ago

Porta’Vino Photos

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PORTA’VINO ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Trendy
Classy

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Recommended Reviews - Porta’Vino

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Mini dessert
Anna K.

A year ago I accidentally stumbled across this casual spot and fell in love with it. Gradually the experiences got a little worse and the service more harried. This could be due to the management change but I both the food and service took a major turn. The last visit, which was for a birthday dinner, was abysmal. We basically served ourselves our wine and had to ask for everything - glasses, open the next bottle, place our order. Then they forgot to place our order and never even checked on us for 30 minutes until we again asked for help. The calamari was so over-fried, it was mostly inedible. The ravioli was very mediocre. The truffle pasta was good. The manager's uncaring response and offer for dessert (two people had birthdays, dessert was a given) was not sufficient. The dessert was a tiny sample-sized milkshake that we observed they gave to every table anyway. It's sad that a small local business treated regulars this way. I do not plan to return.

Pizza
David P.

Nut Allergy friendly. Still don't believe that their cauliflower pizza is actually cauliflower crust. Reasonably priced wine and Italian food that is very sharable. Pizza isn't that large for a "large" though. Great wine list.

Seabass

I came here a few years ago when I could still eat gluten and really enjoyed it and recently returned after I found out they had GF pasta. Unfortunately the gluten free pasta tastes like boxed Barilla. Save your money and make it at home. Understandably this is not a dedicated GF restaurant so while it's disappointing it's nice that it's even an option if you're going here with a group who can eat gluten. I remember the normal pasta being very good! Unfortunately the service was pretty tough. While the servers are very nice, they are basically sprinting around the restaurant and when you try to order they cut you off in an attempt to be speedy. Makes for a stressful environment I don't want to spend my Friday night in.

Ye J.

With its very reasonable wine price and option to bring in your own wine, Porta'vino always managed to stay packed and busy no matter which days of the week. Good location with plenty of parking. Been here couple times for weekday dinner and had the chance to try out different things on the menu. This place has a fancy casual vibe (but with a slightly fancy Italian price tag). The crowd tend to dress up a bit, but in the mean time you are sitting on metal chairs in a pretty crowded and slightly loud environment with classic rock and country music in the background. Now the food... For appetizers, Calabrese Crisp Shrimp is probably the best thing on the menu (4/5), the Cured Salmon Carpaccio is also solid but nothing special compare to other places (3.5/5), the Polpette has good flavor but could be dry (3/5) For the main, I tend to enjoy their freshly made pastas more compared to other dishes. Wild Boar Bolognese (5/5) this one is my favorite, very good flavor and texture. Beef Tenderloin (4.5/5) tenderloin came out medium as ordered and the dish tasted very good with the peppercorn sauce and mushrooms. Black Truffle Tagliatelle (3.5/5) nice truffle flavor but could taste slightly blend. For other dishes, the Sea Bass was fresh and moist (4/5), however I was disappointed with the Veal & Risotto (2/5) the veal was pretty dry, and the risotto was blend. Although overall experience has been enjoyable, if you are not looking for a wine night, there are definitely better pasta/Italian spots in town.

New place to try
Zo M.

Bueno. Gustoso. Saporito. A wonderful recommendation from a patient. From start to finish , our amazing server Jacob took care to make sure our meal was nothing short of perfection. Starting off with a Patz and Hall Chardonnay 94 points paired with an arrancini appetizer. DELICIOUSO!! Jacob explained why there were few choices of wine by the glass as the markup for wine was very low and you can buy a bottle or a case if you choose at this wine bar& restaurant. We decided to split a specialty vegetarian pizza with spinach , artichoke, red peppers and feta. It came out fast , on a heated plate with a perfectly cooked thin crust. Wonderful way to spend Mother's Day evening and we will certainly be back!!!

Shrimp fra diavolo
Crystal W.

Well after weeks of trying to get in for dinner, we finally did. Heard and read great reviews about the food. Let me tell you it was an absolute disappointment. Starters: mussels: frozen and overcooked, VERY small portion and 4 were unopened (you only received about 12 mussels). Risotto balls: Barely any risotto, mushy in the middle, undercooked and if you're going to add 4 cheeses, use them, not just one cheese; or at least that's what I felt we tasted. "Italian" fries: (I lived in Italy for several years and Italians do not make their frites this way) they were okay. Too much chili oil, tasted like there was vinegar on them too. Balloon bread: worth the cost for a first time, I wouldn't order again (nor will I go back). It was not flavorful, the bottom was like a cracker. Caprese salad (not on the menu): was decent. The mozzarella was good, nice size slices, the tomatoes were not as flavorful as they should be, I asked for no basalmic vinegar and there it was. However, I must say, they were nice enough to make it. Main dishes: pepperoni pizza: crust was thick and slightly overcooked. Margherita pizza: same as pepperoni pizza. Shrimp fra diavolo: way over-sauced, shrimp tasted frozen and overcooked, pasta mushy and overcooked. Sent back and did not want anything else. Wild boar pasta: decent size portion however, if you are an eater (as teenager who ordered) and you would like a bit more meat, you'll get more sauce; it's more of a "meat sauce" versus meat that can be added in. Flat iron steak: it was definitely not an 8 oz steak; more like 6 oz, charred way too much to where it was not very good; med.-rare, was cooked perfect in the middle but slightly cool. (We took ours home to give to the dog). The macaroni & cheese was over cooked and saturated with bread crumbs. Now the service: we were welcomed warmly and everyone was friendly. Our waiter, Eric was truly their saving grace. He was honest about options when asked, transparent when asked about the seafood and apologetic for my meal as it fell flat. He was attentive and knowledgeable. The ambiance is great for after work socialization or a dinner party. However, it is slightly loud inside. They pack folks in. A party of 5 are sat at a table meant for 4, with a chair on the end (in the way of staff walking by). The table is just not big enough for 5 with appetizers and food. Just my thoughts. Now for the name of the restaurant: PortaVino: wine list... INCREDIBLE! The wine and our waiter is why this restaurant received the 2 stars. Failure on the food all around, there is definitely room for improvement.

Bubble bread
Caroline R.

Seasonal menu so always new food to try! This place is always busy so servers can be busy but just makes you enjoy a longer time in the beautiful setting. Highly recommend trying lots of things and sharing with a friend!

Lasagna

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3 months ago

Food is consistently good with an exquisite wine menu. All of the appetizers are phenomenal but don't miss the Balloon bread.

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9 months ago

Great service. Good medium to high priced menu. Somewhat stark ambience. Nice neighborhood spot.

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3 years ago

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7 months ago

This place has great food and service. The patio is nice. It is expensive, but you get what you pay for.

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Ask the Community - Porta’Vino

Is this place kid friendly?

Definitely more of an upscale restaurant without a play area or kids area.A great place for parents to have a night out without the kiddos.

Are reservations needed?

Always a good idea, popular place!

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Padre's Wine - Bread platter

Padre's Wine

4.5(82 reviews)
2.2 mi•The Heights
•$$

Location: white oak, corner…read more Parking: Limited but also street parking Staff: very nice, welcoming Wait time: none, staff is right away attentive, you are to pick your own seat as they don't seat you. Seating: Both indoor and outdoor. Place feels very homey as you can share tables with others and couches are very comfy. Price: wines can be high, a $15 bottle can cost $45-$60. Overall average prices Drink: Good wine selection Food: cheeseboard was well prepared with multiple options. Overall great place to hang out. Clean and welcoming.

Great date spot! I came here on a Thursday night with a…read morefriend and we ordered wine and hotdogs. What blew me away about this place was the ambiance. The place was dimly lit and there was a lot of seating, both indoor and outdoor. A lot of the seating inside was arranged as couches with low tables, which made for a very casual and relaxing vibe, while the overall atmosphere remained very classy. - Padre's Hotdog (4.5/5): I was told by my friend that this was the best hotdog ever so I had very high expectations and I wasn't disappointed. The bread was very buttery and nicely toasted. The frank itself was very juicy and I loved how the pico and mustard help cut through the fat. The thing that made this hotdog stand out was the cheese sauce. The cheese sauce was delicious and I could probably have just eaten that alone. One thing though, the hotdogs were a bit on the smaller size, you probably would have to order something else or a second hotdog if you were hungry. Would come back again just for this hotdog! Parking/Service: There was a small lot on the side of the building, but other than that you might have to street park in the neighborhood right next to it. The ordering system was a bit of a surprise for me. You have to walk in to the bar and order there.

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Padre's Wine - Crab rolls

Crab rolls

Padre's Wine - Popcorn and ice cream with caviar

Popcorn and ice cream with caviar

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Wine Section

Almost Famous - Cheers!

Almost Famous

4.1(19 reviews)
2.0 mi•The Heights

My friend was celebrating her birthday and recommended this place for steak night. Amexicun, which…read morewe had tried before at White Oak Social, was there that Friday night. We like Amexicun. It's located right at 19th St. and Shepherd near the light. There's a small angled parking lot that can be tight when people park along the fence. It looks like a cute tiny A-frame home with a few patio tables in the front. The inner area has about 6-7 high tables. It's nice and clean inside. The vibe feels similar to H-Town Brewing Co. but on a smaller scale. You can also sit at the bar. I didn't really like the high tables/chairs. They're not as comfortable. It was hot out, and there are mosquitos, so we sat inside. I ordered the salmon plate for steak night. The drinks here are ok, and since I don't really drink, I was looking for mocktail options. In this era, most places have mocktail options with brand alternatives like Ritual, Seedlip and Lyre's or at the least, something with juice, Topo Chico and simple syrup. The female bartender made me a NA margarita which was great. I liked that she didn't make it too sweet or too tart which happens with mocktails that don't have alternatives and are mostly juice or lemon. On the other hand, when I ordered a second, the guy bartender made it too sweet. I didn't like his version. For the alcoholic versions, they seem to have good cocktails, wine, beer and flights. They also have daily specials. Aside from the steak night, they don't serve food here. It wouldn't be my first choice of bars in this area.

It's worth a stop for their $1 Tiny Tini's. I tried all three flavors; the Espresso martini, lemon…read moredrop, and Cosmo- and for just a buck, each 2 ounce sip packed with plenty of flavor. I also enjoyed a sweet frozen cocktail topped with a fresh mint leaf that was perfect for a warm afternoon. Fun drinks, great value, and a unique experience. They have a food truck outside that serves food, from what we were informed. Thank you Tre for inviting me here. They did not have any food menus for the truck at the time of my visit. Happy hour start at 2pm, and the $1 Tiny Tini's start at 6pm.

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Almost Famous - Bayou Bramble

Bayou Bramble

Almost Famous - House Champagne

House Champagne

Almost Famous - Naked & Famous

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Naked & Famous

Mutiny in the Heights  - The Farm House

Mutiny in the Heights

4.1(114 reviews)
2.8 mi•The Heights

My friend and I had the opportunity to dine at Mutiny in the Heights on their final night. We were…read moreable to snag a last minute reservation on the patio. When my friend made the reservation, she received an email encouraging customers to visit the tasting room before or after dinner. We showed up an hour early to visit the tasting room, however the host had no idea what we were talking about. Turns out they weren't doing tastings. Luckily, we didn't have to wait to be seated. We initially had a table that was not near a heat lamp, however an employee came over and let us know that we could switch to a table near the heat lamp which was appreciated because it was chilly. Our server was Laura. She was nice and funny. They had $25 flight specials. I went with the Sayanara Flight which had white wines. I really enjoyed them and they weren't too sweet. My friend had an NA wine which she enjoyed. We ordered the Truffle Fries and Meatballs. Both dishes were tasty. I enjoyed the aioli that came with the fries. They had discounted wines for purchase. Not all bottles were 50% off, however the gentleman that we spoke to went ahead and gave me a 50% discount on both the rosé and pinot grigio that I purchased which was so appreciated! It seems like there are quite a few businesses around town that are closing. I'm sad to see Mutiny go, but I'm glad my friend and I got to dine in on their final night.

"Closing time, you don't have to go home But you can't stay…read morehere." - Semisonic I have lived in the loop for 5 years now, and I'm sad to say that I finally tried Mutiny on their last day. I often pass by it going through a shortcut to I-45 and sometimes going home around the area. It's literally a 5-minute drive. I booked reservations Friday since I saw they opened up the 31st on Resy. It wasn't earlier in the week, but I knew it was the last day, and my friend and I really wanted to try. I'm glad we made reservations because they were at capacity (150 person capacity) and weren't taking any walk ins. We got there early cause Resy suggested checking out the Tasting Room before or after the reservation time. We got there about an hour earlier, and the host said he didn't know anything about that except that the Tasting Room area was used for events. Interesting. We were seated earlier on the patio on this freezing evening. At first, we were at a table that didn't have a heat lamp, but when one freed up, they were so nice to suggest that we move closer to the heat lamp since they saw us shivering. Lol. We were thankful for that. I wore fleece lined jeans and brought gloves and a beanie anyway having been in the below freezing winter in London. Laura was our server and was kind and funny. So was this other guy who checked in every now and then. He made light of their last day situation. The dining area is so beautiful inside. I love the limestone-looking interior and chandeliers. Reminds me of Fredericksburg or something. They had many large groups and a few small groups of friends or couples dining on this last day. Way to go out with a bang. A lot of the wines were selling out or already sold out around 7-8 pm. We tried the truffle fries and Sicilian meatballs with focaccia bread. I like the thick cut of the fries and the black garlic aioli. It reminded me of yuca fries. The Sicilian meatballs were a bit small, peppery and salty. I wish the marinara was a little more tart. The focaccia helped cut through the saltiness. I had 2 glasses of the NA Sauvignon blanc which was light and a little tart. They ran out of the NA red blend. My friend ordered Sayonara, one of their farewell flights which were aptly named for "goodbye". It was a great night on the patio but chilly. My friend purchased a rosé and a Pinot Grigio as part of their Last Sail wines. Actually, the Pinot Grigio wasn't part of the sale, and he was going to take off 20%, but he also made it 50% off. So nice!! I'm glad we got to try them on their last day. Bon voyage, Mutiny.

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Mutiny in the Heights
Mutiny in the Heights  - Wide selection of boutique fine wines

Wide selection of boutique fine wines

Mutiny in the Heights

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Barcelona Wine Bar - Empanadas

Barcelona Wine Bar

4.4(301 reviews)
3.2 mi•Montrose
•$$$

I had the great pleasure of dining here for my birthday and it was an excellent experience. The…read morefirst thing that impressed me was the service which was outstanding. Within the first ten minutes of entering, we had met not only a wonderful host but our server and one of the managers. Their casual check-ins were appropriate and appreciated, never feeling fake. Their restaurant is an upscale casual and simply decorated with an impressive bar and food menu. The meal was a combination of individual and shared dishes. I ordered the Ensalada Mixta 5/5 was great but perhaps not large enough to share, so get your own. Sharing the large plate of Paella Mariscos 4/5 was delicious but the hanger steak 5/5 is absolutely amazing. The wine selection is great offering something for everyone with flights available. The overall experience made for a fantastic birthday celebration and I'm ready for my encore visit to relive that great vibe. I'm betting the staff will ensure it's a special treat.

Oh dear Lord, the food!! It was all sooooo terrific. Love the high energy, loud atmosphere…read more Friendly, helpful staff. Apologies in advance for my half-eaten food pics! The food was so good we started devouring each dish as they put a new item on the table. ‍ Food ratings: Focaccia bread- 5/5. Warm. Buttery slightly crusty too with soft insight. Yum. Roasted cauliflower - 4.5/5. In a Wonderful sauce. Touch of lemon flavor. Little crunchy. Good! Ensalata Mixta- 5/5. Salad dressing vinegarette was wonderful. Vinegarette dressing is terrific. Slightly spicy. Olives are soooo fresh. I didn't recognize some of the olives. They were super tasty. Beware they have pits. Hangar steak - 4.5/5. Flavor is great. Tender. Ordered it med rare (MR). Not even sure if it came out MR but it was just tasty. Spicy Beef Empanadas- 5/5. A touch of spiciness pepper that lingers in your mouth. Just right. Flavorful. Flaky bread. Really good. Seafood paella - 4/5. The seafood was cooked just right and flavors were good with the rice. Staff: The staff was great. Our server was attentive & gave menu recommendations. Several managers checked on us. The general manager, Andrew stopped by the table to ensure all was well. Zac, the drink manager, also was super helpful helping pick my wine. He let me sample 2 choices prior to making my selection. I decided to get a flight so I told him what I liked & he selected & brought me a sparkling, white & red per my description of preferences. Also, I saw where they gave a birthday sangria where you order sangria & they pour it down your throat. I wasn't close enough to snap a pic/video but it was quite a thing at one of the celebrating tables. It was my husband's birthday but that was not an option for him.Lol. The atmosphere is elevated casual. It's lively. It was a very enjoyable date night, birthday celebration night. I absolutely recommend it & will absolutely return!

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Barcelona Wine Bar - Dining room

Dining room

Barcelona Wine Bar - Octopus

Octopus

Barcelona Wine Bar - NA red sangria. Cheers!

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NA red sangria. Cheers!

Crisp - Morning Brunch Pizza

Crisp

3.9(1.1k reviews)
1.9 mi•The Heights
•$$

Crisp gave sports bar vibes but with upscale Italian food, and... I liked it! We were a large party…read morewith reservations, and the wait staff was ready and prepared for us, which I really appreciated. For appetizers, I had the Drunken Garlic Bread, and I honestly don't know exactly what was on it, but it was SO good. Lots of cheese, garlic, and just overall deliciousness. We got a few different appetizers for the table, and everything we tried was great. For my entree, I got the Italian Drunken Dip Sandwich. It was WAY smaller than I expected. It was good, but compared to the appetizers, it wasn't anything mind-blowing. The menu said it would come on the drunken bread, similar to the appetizer, but the bread on my sandwich was much harder. Not sure if they ran out of the actual drunken bread or if that's how it's supposed to be, but it was a little disappointing. Overall, I really enjoyed the appetizers and the atmosphere, and I'd definitely come back for more of a happy hour vibe.

Been going to Crisp a bit more often these days and enjoyed what I got so much it's pretty much my…read morestandard entree selection--the salmon dinner served on a bed of quinoa. Everyone I've been with lately has enjoyed their food there. Didn't get the server we wanted due to availability for our party's size and the one we got was a bit lifeless and only asked two people at the table if they wanted a drink then took off so I was a bit miffed at having to wait until their drink was delivered so I could request a glass of wine but other than that service was good. The setting is great and it works for couples, families and large groups and they have a great back patio which is nice when weather is nice.

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Crisp - Inside Bar

Inside Bar

Crisp - Chef Ivis' French Toast and Mimosa

Chef Ivis' French Toast and Mimosa

Crisp - Avocado Truffle Toast Brunch Item

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Avocado Truffle Toast Brunch Item

Sonoma Wine Bar at Garden Oaks - Charcuterie Boards at Sonoma!

Sonoma Wine Bar at Garden Oaks

4.7(34 reviews)
2.5 mi•Oak Forest/Garden Oaks

I have literally found my new favorite wine bar in Houston! From the moment I walked in I felt a…read morewelcoming presence. Now granted if you go during one of their wine events the inside can be quite noisy although they do have outside seating available. I went during their 3-6 happy hour which is such a great deal. Half hour glasses, bottles, and appetizers. They even have a daily discounted wine flight for $15! You can't beat that. The baked Brie is yummy but that spinach and artichoke dip was delectable. The bread that comes with it sealed the deal too. The best thing about it all is if you're an Amex platinum card holder they qualify under the resy credit! Literally going to be spent my quarterly credit for forever. Thank you Taylor and staff! So helpful, kind, and accommodating. I'll be back.

Cozy wine spot with a great selections. They even offer wine flights and happy hours! There's a…read moreback patio that's great for large party, we had a decent group turnout and it still felt spacious. They even had TVs out showing sports. Inside's a bit small with a few tables and a bar, but the outdoor seating is the real charm when the weather's nice. The service was excellent, the wait staff came out to our big group outside multiple times and even brought out samples for us to try. There are small bites for order and the menu is simple yet descriptive, we got to sample some of the charcuterie as well, and it did pair well with some of the reds I've tried. Overall, friendly atmosphere, relaxing vibes, attentive wait staff, not much more you can wish for from a neighborhood wine bar.

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Sonoma Wine Bar at Garden Oaks - Wine room

Wine room

Sonoma Wine Bar at Garden Oaks
Sonoma Wine Bar at Garden Oaks

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The Library - bar area

The Library

4.3(105 reviews)
4.1 mi•Spring Branch

The food was FIRE. Seriously, everything we had was amazing! The Caesar salad, lamb pappardelle,…read moremussel toast!!!, pork chop... every single dish was sooo good. Easily some of the best bites we've had in a while. Super knowledgeable and friendly staff. The wine selection is great too, and the space is super cute, intimate, and cozy with such a nice neighborhood feel. We absolutely loved it and will definitely be back. Such a little gem!

The Library is truly a gem in my neighborhood. I'm always excited to bring friends who are visiting…read moreHouston or don't live nearby. The décor, wine list, menu, comfortable seating, and cozy atmosphere make it such a special spot. They offer wines for every taste and budget, and the staff is knowledgeable when asked for recommendations. That's why this is difficult for me to write. Despite visiting frequently, I've consistently found the customer service to be unwelcoming. The service has a strange tone, and it isn't limited to one employee they all seem to share the same indifferent, slightly annoyed demeanor. The experience feels less like genuine hospitality and more like, "You're here what can I get you?" On my most recent visit, others in my group noticed and commented on the same thing without any prompting from me. Since they had never been before, it confirmed that it wasn't just my perception. One small interaction captured the overall tone. We asked whether they happened to have a birthday candle, and an employee responded in an annoyed tone by pointing to the candle on our table which, realistically, no one would put on a birthday dessert. We completely understood that they might not have one; it wasn't an unreasonable expectation or request. A simple, friendly response like, "Unfortunately, we don't, but we do have some delicious desserts," would have been perfectly fine. It wasn't the answer that bothered us. it was the way we were made to feel for asking. It may seem like a small interaction, but great hospitality is built on small moments. The atmosphere is warm, cozy, and inviting, but unfortunately, the service doesn't reflect that same feeling. People return to places where they feel welcomed and appreciated, especially in a city like Houston with so many wonderful food and wine options. I genuinely want The Library to thrive because it has everything else it needs to remain a true neighborhood favorite.

Photos
The Library - Comfy chairs

Comfy chairs

The Library - Outside patio

Outside patio

The Library - Just a small selection

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Just a small selection

Porta’Vino - pizza - Updated October 2026

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