Went tonight with my daughter who is a total foodie! The service was very personal with our server knowing every detail. The managing partner also came by our table very casually and friendly- I just googled their bios and its very interesting. So I wasn't sure I would like everything we ordered- I only wanted the beet salad. It was amazing!!!!!!! We also had the dip trio which I liked the hummus best with yummy bread. My daughter, her friend and her mom LOVED the calamari and said it was light and delicious. Lamb kebob was tasty. Desert chocoholic was scrumptious and the lemon granita was light and interesting with homemade cotton candy that we laughed looked like ratchet barbie hair but tasted so light. Absolutely delicious! read more

The good: The Manti dumplings, service, and cocktails The bad: The market fish. Stay away from it. Worst fish and shrimp I've never had. read more

Smyrna - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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SERVICE We came in for a belated Valentine's Day dinner, and the staff immediately seated us when we got int. Everyone was friendly and professional without being too formal. Our server served us waters and let us peruse the menu. Most spots will have the waiter come by and ask you how things are, and our waiter didn't come by at all after setting down the food which was interesting -- not good nor bad but probably were also busy. AMBIENCE The space felt upscale but still easygoing, which made it perfect for our Valentine's night out. There's no dress code, but most people looked like they'd put a little effort in, matching the polished but comfortable vibe. Loved the open kitchen all the way towards the back by the bookshelf area gave the room some energy without making it feel noisy. Definitely struck a great balance between date-night fancy and laid-back cool and casual. FOOD We started with the Beet Salad Ribbons and the Meze Trio. The beet salad mixed earthy ribbon-sheet beets with hazelnuts and a bright pomegranate vinaigrette that surprised me! Loved the pairing of the beets and cheese and hazelnut crunch. As a texture fan, this really hit the spot! It was colorful, fresh, and really well balanced. The Meze Trio had charred eggplant, a yogurt-goat cheese dip, and a seasonal hummus. Each had its own flavor and texture, and everything felt super fresh and well-seasoned. Favorite was the seasonal hummus. The yogurt-goat cheese dip was good but definitely sweeter than I personally perferred! The Calamari was also quite good and had decent number of chunky pieces that weren't just breading. The only small letdown was the pita bread since we had more dips than pita left. We expected refills might be complimentary, especially for a place like this, but they weren't. Not a big deal, just something that stood out in an otherwise smooth and thoughtful experience! The Manti Dumplings were a highlight too -- probably so much handwork in making these look like they do! The Sharondale mushrooms gave them a rich, savory flavor, and the pepper butter sauce added just the right touch of spice. The burger was also great -- juicy, flavorful, and paired with house fries and an amazing urfa pepper aioli. You could tell both dishes were elevated but still comforting, showing off the chef's fine-dining background in a really approachable way. For dessert, we shared the Baklava Cheesecake and a Chocolate Hazelnut special. The cheesecake was unique -- cheesecake filling sandwiched between baklava. It was delicious but not what I was expected! It was creamy and nutty with pistachio layers, and the chocolate dessert was incredibly rich without being heavy. Both were perfect finishes. We even took home the leftover goat cheese dip because it was that good. Overall, pices were a little on the higher side ($23-$29 for mains, $14 for dessert), but for the quality and thought put into every dish, it felt worth it and would come back again for a special occasion! This was definitely elevated ambience and the food was well executed in our opinion. I can see the hype! Definitely not a spot I'd frequent often but for the special days -- this is it to impress your date or family! read more

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This is our go to every time we are in Charlottesville. The food is always amazing. The bartender is great. We make reservations but always try to sit at the bar. Really cool spot to grab dinner and drinks. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu. But the chicken entree is my favorite read more

Had a *brilliant* dinner at Smyrna. Their Turkish cuisine was off-the-charts delicious: absolutely a place one should dine, particularly for foodies. Saw the ribeye (for two) come out and wished I'd ordered it. It's essentially a tomahawk steak; it was brought out, presented, and then taken back to the kitchen for carving: top-tier service - just wow. The attentiveness to Gluten Free needs was also amazing. Your GF friends will truly appreciate this. The interior is both upscale and casual. Definitely put Smyrna on your list if you're C-ville. PS: The ancient city Smyrna, now known as İzmir, is located in western Anatolia, Turkey & situated along the Aegean coast :) read more

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We came for early dinner since we had our infant with us. Even though we did not have a reservation they accommodated us with a stroller and all! We ordered the meze trio to start and then split the Manti, Beet Salad, and lamb meatballs for our mains. Everything was amazing, the beet salad really wowed us! Would skip the meze, not bad just nothing special about the dips. read more

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Dallas the bartender made the experience worth it. I'm not a foodie and initially was put off by the prices but came because of the excellent reviews. Beet salad was excellent (even after initially thinking who puts cacao nibs with beets) but the dumpling were the real star. I could eat the garlic yogurt sauce in spoonfuls and the flavors are just so good. read more

My favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. I'm a sucker for small plates, and Smyrna nails every single one. I recommend the turkish coffee martini (which uses citrus vodka for a fun twist), the yogurt-goat cheese dip (which comes with amazing farmers bread), the beet salad, the (vegetarian!) mushroom manti dumplings, and the baklava cheesecake. The burger is also a delicious, excellent choice if you're especially hungry (or not a small plates kind of person). This is a popular spot, so I recommend reservations or coming early or late and being prepared to sit at the bar. There is street parking. The restaurant is gorgeous and has great ambiance. Staff is the friendliest and always guarantees we have a good time. read more

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Felt like we were transported back to Greece! Food was exceptional and service was also very good. I do not think I've ever had pasta shaped like it is in the manti dish (which I definitely recommend!). The baklava cheesecake was also one of our favorite dishes. read more

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Smyrna put a smile on my face! This cute little restaurant is worth all of the hype. We stopped in on a Saturday evening and got there at 5pm (without reservation) and were able to be seated at the bar right away. But I definitely recommend getting a resy if you can because this place fills up quick! We started off with some cocktails, the espresso martini had an orange twist to it which added some great flavor depth. All of the food was stand out, but definitely recommend getting the hummus and beet salad! The plates were great for sharing and 3 was enough to split between 2 people. Would definitely recommend going and will be back myself as they change their menu so you'll never be bored! read more

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All of the food was delicious! I love the fusion and the flavors! The only complaint I have is that the dishes were overpriced for the amount of food served. You get a small scoop of manti dumplings for $30.00 and it's an entrée, not an appetizer. Smyrna, provide a fair amount for the main course. Overall the service, ambiance, and dishes were lovely. read more

Let me shout it from the rooftops, nothing mediocre on the menu!! We had the lamb burger, the market fish, the grilled chicken, and the mushroom pasta and every single item down to the sides was perfect. The portions could've been measured out nothing to overfill and nothing that left you hungry and we had room for desert, and wow...pistachio cheesecake was excellent as well as the lemon granita was delicious as well as refreshing. Not to mention the best margarita in town. Will reccomend this place to anyone looking for perfect. Our server was David and he was extremely accomadating and water glasses were never less than half full, he has a great sense of humor and his service was exemplary. read more

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This was a fun Wednesday dinner with our son who got several recommendations for Smyrna from coworkers. We had a 7pm reservation and were seated right away. It's a cozy atmosphere with a small eating area up front by the big window, a nice bar in the middle and more seating in the back. Host and server were both friendly but did take awhile for server to come and ask for drinks. The cocktail menu is intriguing since there were a good amount of bourbon drinks so we decided to get the signature Smyrna sour and the old Gaffer. IMO Drink prices have gotten out of hand in the last 4 years but both these cocktails were done very well and the sour was a a normal price at $14. The old gaffer was smooth with a little bite at the tail end while the sour had a nice refreshing tartness but be sure to stir your drink well the minute you get it because the pomegranate molasses settles to the bottom so if you're not paying attention you'll end up with just pomegranate molasses. Felt like a heads up on this woulda been nice. For starters we got the meze trio and the lamb meatballs which are actually skewers of lamb set inside half a pita. The trio was tasty but the lamb "meatballs" were insanely good. I woulda gotten that for my meal if I had known they'd be so good. So it's no surprise my husband loved his beef-lamb burger. It was seared well, was juicy and had a zesty Urfa pepper aioli that was delicious. I got the market fish which was halibut that night and once I got it mixed in with the orzo and saffron broth thought it tasty and light. I think the mussels were a tad fishy but there weren't many so I just pushed them aside. My son got the "Jurkish" which was a deboned half chicken on a bed of cassava, peppers and spring onions. The sauce and base were tasty but I wasn't a fan of the chicken. Seemed almost gamey to me but everyone else liked it and said it was tender with a mellow flavor. Server kind of disappeared the last 20 minutes so when someone else came to clear our plates we had them bring the check but overall we enjoyed our meal and would go back. As others have mentioned the prices are a bit steep on many of the entrees but I think the flavors and combinations are a nice change of pace to standard fare and worth an excursion. read more

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Ahhhhh what a breath of fresh air - Smyrna is a foodie dream! Literally every dish was intentionally curated, packed with flavor and depth. Highly recommend the: Eggplant dip - layers, flavor, depth, texture, a masterpiece Lamb kebabs - perfectly cooked & I really like the addition of pistachios in the mix it is a nice touch Butternut squash soup - this came to us compliments of the chef... because you assume once you've tasted one butternut squash soup you've tasted them all. Wrong! The hint of nutmeg and cardamom and the Pepitas on top?? Next level. I almost licked my bowl. Calamari - easily the best, freshest calamari you'll ever have this side of the Mediterranean Beet salad - I love the pairing of hazelnuts, cacao, and pomegranate Going back for the Hamachi Crudo & the burger (gotta try it) Don't be fooled when you walk up. It's certainly a hole in the wall, and the best one you'll have in Charlottesville. read more

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Smyrna is one of my favorite date spots! They have delicious Mediterranean food and it's fun to try all of their appetizers - I always get the meze trio and a few others. The cocktails taste so fresh and the atmosphere is great. I love Smyrna! read more

Do NOT miss this gem of a dining experience! We rolled up to the bar at 515p after a 5hr drive for Pittsburgh and I said to the bartender before leaving, "It was worth the drive just for THIS meal!" Cocktails are expertly crafted. Food is farm to table fresh. We indulged in the platter of dips to start. I won't spoil the surprised on what composes the most mouth watering goat cheese dip. Then devoured the beef and lamb burgers, which were accompanied by the crispiest shoestring fries. Delicious!! Highly recommend finding yourself here if you're in Charlottesville. read more

Smyrna - Smyrna Sour - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Landed here by accident and SO glad we did!! Ate at the bar, which was friendly and comfortable. Nadjeeb, the bartender/mixologist/cocktail magician is amazing. Have a John Daly, Nadjeeb's elevated riff on an Arnold Palmer. His suggestions, beet salad and manti dumplings, were exceptional. The halibut special was a home run. Wish we lived in Charlottesville so we could eat here every week! read more

Delicious food, a bit expensive. Enjoyed the manti dish very much, it was a savory dish and the dumplings were well made. Meze trio dips were also good (hummus, eggplant, and yogurt dips). Shishito peppers were awesome. We didn't enjoy the dessert (lemon granita) though, would pass on that next time. read more

Great food and presentation. We enjoyed the night out. Good service. Obscure wine list. Recommended.

Excellent place, nice and cozy with great service. Have been here twice- once on a girls trip and once driving through for dinner. We recently enjoyed an amazing beet ribbon salad and hamachi with melon and Meyer lemon. They were stand outs! We also enjoy the octopus and mante dumplings. The octopus could have been a bit more tender. We love the place as it has many healthy options with tons of great flavor. Previously I had also tried the dips which was outstanding. I do wish they were served with pita but the bread is tasty. The baklava cheesecake is also a great ending! We didn't have room this time but we will be back again! The prices are on point for the qualify and what we are used to. Positions are appropriate for the price. The staff is very friendly and they coursed the plates properly for us. In a sea of many French and heavy restaurants... Definitely put this on your must eats while visiting for a welcome change. read more

Incredible dinner. Excellent service, the ribeye for 2 as good as any I have had all over the country. read more

Smyrna - Ribeye for 2 - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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The food was phenomenal! We ordered the duck and it came out incredibly tender and delicious. We had a reservation and were directed to the bar when we arrived so a slight deduction for that, but all in all it was a good experience. read more

Amazing food!! There wasn't anything that I did not like, but the manti, oysters, and octopus really stood out to me. Wines were good too, and great service. Don't miss the baklava cheesecake. I cannot stop thinking about it. read more

Great food and service. We had the fish and mushroom dumpling dish manti. Such comfort food. We also had the meze trio and the hummus was the best I've ever eaten. Cocktails are excellent. Highly recommend. read more

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Absolutely my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville on my recent trip. It started with the host (could have been the owner) and hostess and topped off by the excellent service. A shout out to Dallas, not the suck-ass football team owned by a dipshit, but the cool, hardworking guy behind the bar. ;) Food was presented well and full of taste bud satisfaction. Combined with a lively, friendly atmosphere the evening was pleasing to all senses. Not one dish we had was less than 5 stars. Meze trio (of charred eggplant, yogurt goat cheese dip and hummus) and the crudo led off the list of excellence. We followed that up with the Manti dumplings. Tender pillows supporting a pepper butter garlic yogurt sauce to die for. Everything was delightful even the bread! Even if I was passing thru this town and not hanging for a few days, I would head over to Smyrna as THE place I would want to revisit. read more

What a fantastic find. I was recently here for dinner and loved everything we ordered. We started with the bread, beet salad, and calamari. Beet salad was super tasty and it made me wonder how they managed to shred the beets like that. Interesting way to serve it. Fried Calamari was crispy, fresh and went well with the sauce. My main was the Lamb Burger, which comes with fries. Burger and fries were perfection. I love when the fries are super thin and crispy. Highly recommend all of these dishes. Service was fast and friendly. The server did a great job coming back to check on us and fill our waters. Street parking in the area, with more parking available in nearby lots. Can't wait to come back. read more

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03/09/2025 My wife and I had a chance to take out my beautiful grand daughter who just moved to Charlottesville. We all opted for Smyrna and it turned out to be a good find! Not a huge menu, and a little different from what we're used to here in NJ, but that's not to say it wasn't fantastic. My wife and grand daughter share a Meze Trio (charred eggplant, yogurt-goat cheese dip and seasonal hummus). All very good I was told. I decided to go with the grilled octopus (with bok choi and fried potatoes.) Very nicely done and quite filling! My grand daughter and I both had the Manti. Little pinched dumpling filled with a puree of Sharondale mushrooms, dehydrated tomato, garlic yogurt, pepper butter sauce. Very yummy. Not a HUGE portion, but just perfect after the large Octopus appetizer I had. My wife had the "Market Fish" - rockfish served with orzo, mussels, shrimp, saffron broth, mustard greens. This too was pretty terrific. Service was very good as were the selected wines and cocktails we had. Will have to stop by the next time we're visiting my precious grand daughter. read more

Smyrna - Meze trio - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

We went because we'd heard the chef was Michelin-starred, and social media kept calling it the best restaurant in Charlottesville. Unfortunately, it ended up being one of the most disappointing meals I've ever had. My friend and I ordered three dishes: a salad, octopus, and a ribeye steak. The salad was the most forgettable. It was tangy, and the orange helped balance the acidity. The tiny fish added a distinct fishy note that was unusual in an interesting way. But overall, the flavors were just too aggressive--the acidic dressing completely overpowered the natural taste of the ingredients. Next was the octopus with bok choy and small pieces of fried potato. I'll give credit where it's due: the octopus itself was cooked perfectly--crispy on the outside, tender and springy inside. But the sauce ruined the dish by overwhelming the texture and flavor. It's genuinely hard to understand the vision of pairing inherently salty seafood with an even saltier sauce. Ironically, the bok choy ended up being the most enjoyable part. Then came the ribeye steak, which was again extremely salty. After the octopus, my taste buds were already exhausted, and this just piled on more salt. The charred outer layer was unpleasantly bitter and difficult to eat, and it completely masked the meat's natural juiciness and tenderness. Even the potatoes and vegetables on the side were salty. It felt heavy-handed and monotone, and honestly, like a waste of what should have been great beef. Overall, I wouldn't recommend it. If you're going mainly for ambiance, it might be a decent spot. But our bill came to around $250, and for that price there are far better options in Charlottesville. If this meal had cost $100, I might have called it passable--but given the cost and the expectations, I truly hoped for much better. read more

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I'm still in awe of this restaurant. Tonight, I finally tried the Manti Dumplings, one of their most popular dishes, probably their staple. I was always hesitant because I don't like mushrooms. This is perhaps one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. Again, I don't even like mushrooms. Also, tried the chicken skewers for the first time. I was a bit disappointed because their menu can change seasonally, and I was banking on trying the beef skewers but they're no longer on the menu. (Lamb is still an option, though.) However, the chicken didn't let me down. They have an impressive char flavor and are juicy and flavorful. Even the garnish and sauce were incredible. I've yet to try anything here that didn't impress me. By far my favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. read more

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Our favorite restaurant in Charlottesville. You can't go wrong with anything on their menu. This time we started with Knick Knack Sazerac cocktails, Calamari, for main course, Manti (mushroom filled pasta), and finished off with the best dessert ever, Meyer Lemon Granita (fruit, shaved ice, Turkish cotton candy). A culinary experience! read more

Good fish; good wine; good service; great spot. Loved the spot. Live long and prosper!!

An absolute dream. Having a perfect dish is a fine balance of decadence and acid - leading you to the next bite. Everything I had delivered on that. The wine and cocktail menu is absolutely fantastic. I found myself reading over and over the menu and really thought it hit every single mark, surely any person you be here will be incredibly happy. I will find myself dreaming of the Manti Dumplings and Smyrna Sour for weeks, months, and maybe even years to come. Hell, I'd drive to Charlottesville from DC just for a second round. Kudos, Chef. Keep the dream alive. Cheers to you. read more

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Smyrna wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either and it certainly didn't live up to the Yelp hype for me. We started with a Taste the Rainbow drink which was overly bitter (even for a drink that had bitters, it had no balance at all.) The Farmer's Bread basket was ok--the bread was warmish and soft. But the tapenade and olive oil they gave with it was so bitter that I wondered if there was something wrong with my tastebuds. But my companion also found that it tasted awful. Very disappointing,. The beet salad was next and it was very oily and overly seasoned. So far...not good. My companion had the lamb burger, which was quite good, though the bread was a bit soggy. The fries were average--they'd probably have balanced the burger better if they were thicker cut in the Mediterranean Style and perhaps dusted with a bit of sumac to complement the lamb. But overall the burger was the best part of the meal. I got the Manti which were incredibly underwhelming. No taste whatsover, just flat little pasta pockets with some sun-dried tomatoes. I couldn't finish the dish. The room was very loud--louder than I'd expect for the size. Overall, not a place I'd return to, especially not at that price. Service and lamb burger were good, which is why it's a 2 star instead of 1. read more

Oh my God, I was completely blown away by this place. I have tried a lot of different Mediterranean places and upscale restaurants, but this is by far one of my top three restaurants that I have ever tried. Not only was the service amazing, and the ambience super eclectic, but the food was out of this world. We started by ordering what the waiter recommended, and it was great because he actually knew everything about the process and where the food came from which I really appreciate when I ask the waiter what they recommend. First was a variety of oysters from different parts of the country and then bread came with different Middle Eastern dips and that was absolutely phenomenal as well as a cold soup (fyi they do charge for each extra bread you order sadly). We started to order a bunch of entrées and each one had so many different flavors and textures that we finished everything on the plate. I was even very happy to see that their mocktails and non-alcoholic beverages were abundant, and when it came out, it was as pretty as my friends who got cocktails. The desserts that we got were out of this world. There was one with a Turkish cotton candy style flavoring that melted in our mouth, which I don't think I will ever forget. The experience was amazing and the restaurant even let us sit late because it started storming outside. The only parking is on the street so you may have to walk a couple blocks based on how crowded it is in the area. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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Bar was limited, but good overall. Great staff and very assertive. I will highly recommend this place for a good vibe.

We had a lovely time at Smyrna! Reservations are a must on a weekend unless you are ok with sitting at the bar (of which there was ample seating!). It's cozy inside, staff are attentive and friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu and the preparation. It was very clear that there are regulars they treat like family, which is always nice to see! Food wise, don't sleep on the mezze trio. Our favorites were the hummus and the eggplant. The bread was warm and fresh. For our mains we had the Manti dumplings and the chicken roulade. The Manti are so unique. They're tiny little balls of goodness! Creamy, light, something to savor. The chicken was unbelievably moist and tender. The drinks were amazing, very complex but well balanced. Prices are higher, but boy do they command them! Delicious! read more

Smyrna - Mezze Trio - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

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In my mind a 5 star rating is reserved for the truly exceptional eatery and Smyrna fits the bill! Ambiance: Warm, friendly and comfortable. Service: Stellar Manti Dumplings: Light and delicious. Burger: Perfect Baklava cheesecake: Light and creamy read more

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Fantastic!!! Authentic! Turkish delight to the max. We had the best experience! Our server was so sweet, genuinely interested in making our visit pleasant, very attentive. Exquisite flavors!!! We absolutely loved every dish and savored every bite! If we lived in this city, it would be our regular spot. Highly recommend! read more

Smyrna - Octopus dish - Mediterranean Near Me - Charlottesville, Virginia

Smyrna is excellent. Every dish we had was superb. The service was also excellent. One of our party is gluten intolerant. Our server went above and beyond by recommending a way to alter the dish that eliminated gluten while maintaining the integrity of the dish. I plan to return to Smyrna many times. read more

A newish Turkish restaurant in C'ville, to add to the higher end of the dollar spectrum; on it, Otto's and Sultan Kebab. It is narrow menu, inhabiting the past Bella's/Mangione, dramatically redone but reserving its special tin(?) ceiling. The meze trio, a shared starter was most notable for its properly charred eggplant; it takes a proper flame to get that flavor, a broiler will not do. Excellent bread, described to us as made onsite. Quite so. Manti dumplings, special, but not quite as much so as suggested...? The fish dish 'guvec' , was a fennel based filet atop shrimp. The fish properly prepared, just so, and the shrimp good. Perhaps to mimic a fresh caught fish you'd be served at a waterside restaurant on the Bosphorus. A curious baklava cheescake 'stack', unique. I will admit that I am definitely more partial to the giant cooked meat Turkish spreads you may have to travel abroad to eat ( and dream of thereafter ), or the infinite dishes at Develi, the kunefe at Sultan Kebab, an excellent adana, or a cold doganay salgam to drink... Smyrna is different from those, turkish, i suppose, but in a more translated version in the view of the chef, perhaps for charlottesville. Try it to see how it fits for you. read more

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