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    Cocina Abierta

    4.4 (742 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndPuerto Rican, Bars
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Cocina Abierta Photos

    COCINA ABIERTA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Outdoor seating
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Cocina Abierta

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    My sweetie on our anniversary.
    Charles S.

    What a great anniversary dinner at Cocina Abierta. We ordered a la carte from the tasting menu -- 10 dishes simply would have been too much food for the two of us. While all were great, some were naturally better than others. Each dish was prepared carefully and presented beautifully. The menu changes pretty regularly and will be completely different when you eat there. But if Earlin is your waiter, go with her recommendations. Service could not have been better. Earlin, our waiter, was helpful without being intrusive. Tip: We are glad we chose to eat on the terrace. Inside was both too cold -- puertoriqueños love air conditioning almost as much as Atlantans do -- and too noisy.

    Susanna C.

    I can't remember or describe all the dishes we had but it was a really fun experience. We walked in before they opened and were able to be seated at 5pm to a largely empty restaurant since it was early. I was glad they allowed us to order one set from the tasting menu u, which enabled me to order all the appetizer offerings. I added a picture of the menu and circled our selections. One of the appetizers, the naan, was replaced with a cassava cheese bread. The menu changes since they use farm to table local ingredients. Love the concept. Service was attentive. Some highlights: - cassava cheese bread came with two spreads - honey butter and a guava jam. Sooo good! - Cacao dessert had a rum sauce that was yummy! Some items we weren't too impressed with: - beef empanadas were dry - beefsteak was good but overcooked

    Gnocchi and pancetta
    Sandeep C.

    When you want to ease into a Puerto Rico trip with something thoughtful but not overly formal, Cocina Abierta is a strong start. Located in San Juan and an easy walk or quick Uber from many hotels, Cocina Abierta is fairly unassuming from the outside. Inside, it's cozy and welcoming--refined but relaxed. The service set the tone immediately: warm greeting, attentive pacing, and a staff that made the experience feel intentional without being stiff. The highlight here is their five-course tasting experience, which they structure as "five acts." It's elevated, but not pretentious. You're not getting a theatrical monologue with each plate--instead, you're choosing between multiple options per act, often a seafood, meat, and vegetarian route. The format feels approachable, almost like elevated tapas portions, letting you sample a variety without feeling overwhelmed. Food * Duck Mofongo - standout dish; rich, deeply flavorful, and very well executed * Skirt Steak - tender and satisfying, cooked properly * Fresh Snook - delicately oven-roasted and cleanly prepared * Seafood selections overall were especially strong * Menu leans seasonal and locally inspired, which comes through in freshness and composition Each dish carried complexity and balance. Nothing felt sloppy or rushed, and while not every course was unforgettable, the overall progression worked well. Drinks * Cocktails were solid and thoughtfully crafted * Good complements to the pacing of a tasting menu Verdict Cocina Abierta is a great choice if you want to make a night of it. The tasting format encourages you to slow down, talk, and enjoy the flow of the evening. It's refined without being intimidating, seasonal without being gimmicky, and consistently good across courses. Not quite transcendent, but a very enjoyable four-star experience to kick off a San Juan vacation.

    I was the meal here and it's their fault because they could've sat us inside their empty space.
    Jo F.

    The hostess is by far the worst person ever to work for you! Came in when the restaurant was completely empty. Asked to sit down. Yes we did not have a reservation but the whole place was empty. She sat us outside. After about 3mosquito bites we asked if we could move inside- she refused but offered us bug spray. SMH! We would've left but already ordered the food and didn't want to do that to the chef. Ok, no problem we will be quick. We ate an amazing prepared and well orchestrated delight but we're also the dinner for the mosquitoes. As we were about to wrap up a couple sits down beside us and we're contemplating going somewhere else, we said to them the food is fantastic. They were afraid that the mosquitoes were going to eat them up so they asked if they could go inside- just like we requested but the same hostess who refused us let them go in!' And they were full at this time!! The whole place full! what the literal mess is this!! Clearly they don't care about their customers so that says plenty- makes me wonder what's going on in the kitchen. If I could give them negative stars I would! Shame on this place! This treatment will come back to you-

    Wahoo
    Caroline R.

    Really inventive menu bursting with local ingredients and surprising combinations. Very dish is an adventure! The service was good, not great, everyone super nice but there was a mishap with our drinks and we felt somewhat neglected at times. Another small note that it was my birthday celebration and they didn't really do anything special other than acknowledge it.

    Heidi M.

    This place is so amazing. I don't know where to begin. The menu changes weekly so what I review today may change next week. The way it works is you choose from three options of a five course menu. If you have a specific allergy, they will substitute what they can to allow you to enjoy each course. You can also order off the menu à la carte, but I recommend doing the five course so you can try all kinds of flavors and if you are hungry you will need all 5 courses. It is small plates but they are good portions. My favorites included the Crudo, breadfruit gnocchi and Carpaccio (see menu below). However, everything that I ordered was made to perfection! The way the chef balances different flavors is amazing. A true connoisseur! The service was on point and the waitress very attentive. The restaurant is located in Condado and walking distance from La Concha. The area and scenery are very nice and welcoming. The perfect spot for romantic dinner or just small plates between friends. The drinks were intricate and well balanced. I cannot wait to return to this restaurant!

    Crudo with rainbow runner, Carpaccio with yellowfin tuna
    Lynn O.

    Cocina Abierta deserves some serious accolades. The execution in service, cocktails and culinary technique were top tier, in fact, the best I experienced in PR. Easily made reservations on Open Table within the week on a Thursday night for two. Minutes walking distance from where we were staying in Condado. Minimal, sleek and modern look with a play of natural elements, the soft lighting creates a romantic setting. Patrons have the option of ordering a la carte or going with the five course set with options for each course for $85 each. Hubby & I went with the five course and chose different dishes for each course so we could try the most. Every item was incredible but the 3rd and 4th acts were mind blowing! Hats off to Executive Chef Martín Louzao! 1st Act Crudo: Rainbow ranner, Totapuri Mango Watermcion radish, Hibiscus, Rose apple Carpaccio: Mafajo plantain, Yellowfin tuna, Shiitake marmalade, Avocado 2nd Act Soup: Coconut, Starfruit, Conch, Mandarin leaves, Pink oyster mushrooms, Meringa Spotted spiny lobster: Tomato Gajilete, Diamond squid, Gentlemen hot pepper chilli crisp 3rd Act Root vegetable pastel: Rabbit, Turmeric, greens, Ginger, Mexican marigold, Congo ñame Breadfruit gnocchi: Barrilito smoked pancetta, Cabachuelas, Rúcula 4th Act Squash Wellington: Mushroom duxelles, Chayote leaf, Squash blossom, Goat cheese, Zucchini Criollo duck mofongo: Quacklings, Duck run-off, Duck & shiitake consume, Guava hoisin 5th Act Coffee: Requesón, Pâte a choux, Starfruit Cacao: Bullhead pineapple, Toasted Swiss merengue, Banana and rum caramel We sipped on some fantastic signature cocktails while enjoying the courses too! The Lavanda 75 was a nice twist on the French 75 with Bravada Vodka, lavender, prosecco, and candied lemon. The Metro consisted of Bravada Vodka, Cointreau, guava y acerola reduction, and lemon. Husband gambled by ordering the Wild Card, which is the bartender's recommended cocktail. He enjoyed both of the drinks he got! Overall, we had an exceptional experience. I'd return in a heartbeat. James Beard and Michelin, wya?!

    Tania A.

    This had to be my absolute most favourite meal and restaurant we went to during our stay in San Juan! It was 10/10 with absolutely everything from the locally sourced ingredients, to the unique cocktails, spectacular service, and the flavourful and well thought out out courses - or Acts as they are called on the menu! We opted for the 5 course tasting menu, and were not disappointed with any of our selections!!! From the Rainbow Runner Crudo, to the Breadfruit gnocchi, and Croillo Duck Mofungo - EVERYTHING was amazing! I've never been a huge fan of gnocchi- but I honestly could eat the gnocchi from Cocina Abierta every day without complaint!! The ambience in the restaurant is stunning -- and definitely makes it a restaurant that you can go to for date nights, special celebrations or whenever you feel deserving of a treat!! Next time I visit San Juan, I will definitely be back!

    Receipt
    Kenneth F.

    So my wife and I stumbled on this cozy establishment by accident. We came in around 5pm and there were maybe 2 other couples there. We were told by the hostess they were booked and the only place they could seat us was the patio. We didn't think anything of it as we got seated. We didn't even have our waters when my wife started to get eaten alive by mosquitoes. I asked if we could come in because we are quick eaters. The hostess said no and gave us some bug spray. The food was actually very good, but it's hard to enjoy when you are getting bit by mosquitoes. Here is why I am giving 1 star... a couple sat next to us about halfway through our meal and they were getting bitten as well. They asked to be seated inside and guess what? They got a table. . No questions asked. I thought I would call the restaurant and give them a heads up that this happened. The manager Santiago totally dismissed me and talked over me. Told me to get a reservation next time.

    Holly H.

    I love this place! I do their tasting menu and found everything spot on! Opted for a cocktail (amazing) and glass of wine with my meal instead of the wine pairing. I'm sure that would have been fabulous too. Service was over the top. From my greeting (cocktail offered while I waited for my table) to the patient wait staff to the manager walking after me to deliver me lan item I'd left at the table. Loved the ambiance, food and service!

    Menu
    Madi M.

    This was a wonderful fine-dining experience that I got to share with my friends while on my bachelorette trip! On the tasting menu, you get 5 courses. Each course you have 3 options to select from. We had a group of 7 so we all pretty much got to try everything on the menu. And I have to say you cannot go wrong with any dish! The space was warm and intimate. The staff were so kind and explained every dish and where the ingredients came from! This is a beautiful restaurant that works to give back to the farmers they resource from. All ingredients used are produced in PR. We love a restaurant that answers YES to the question "is it local?" Cocktails are also out of this world!

    First Course
    Elise Dixie Jane M.

    Tasting menu meets Puerto Rican cuisine meets exceptional service and unique design (shoutout to our top notch server, Glauco, and his assistant Yaneliz). A cozy and relaxed atmosphere for a tasting menu, compared to some of the uptight tasting spaces in America and Europe. Our Abierta experience was elevated by our server, Glauco. He truly went above and beyond to provide excellent service and show us the test kitchen, Atelier. Your Abierta experience can be as special as you make it. Savor every sip from the wine pairing, and allow each bite to light up your senses. You will not be disappointed (unless you don't live nearby and wish you could visit every season - like us). The farm to table experience introduced fruit, seafood, and meat into one - my favorite! While I am no longer vegan, I recommend Cocina Abierta to all vegans and vegetarians. The incorporated fruit left my heart whole and happy! Gastronomy at its finest. Little did we know, Cocina Abierta is owned by the same group that runs other restaurants in PR that we planned to visit during our trip to beautiful Puerto Rico! While so many different reasons will bring us back to Puerto Rico, the openess and experience at Cocina Abierta with Glauco is one of the top three reasons!

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    Cocina Abierta Reviews in Other Languages

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    El Refran is located right on Ashford Ave- you cannot miss it - it's a tiny little restaurant that…read morealways has a line. For that reason, I'd recommend going at an off time for lunch because it was great! They were out of a few items, but I ended up with a pork chop with guava sauce and it was so good. They were also sadly out of the tres leches cake but I popped back in later that week as they were closing and were thrilled they had some left. That may have been the best tres leches I've ever had. The drinks were also delicious! We'll definitely return next time we're in PR.

    I recently visited Levant for my birthday dinner and was extremely disappointed by the way my…read morehusband and I were treated. There is absolutely NO signage anywhere in the restaurant stating that flash photography is not allowed. While we were quietly sitting at our table waiting for food, my husband took a quick photo of me with flash. Out of nowhere, Patrick, who identified himself as the General Manager, approached us in an incredibly aggressive and hostile manner and abruptly said "NO FLASH" with an attitude that was completely unnecessary and unprofessional. If there are rules guests are expected to follow, maybe the restaurant should clearly communicate them instead of having management aggressively confront paying customers. I asked to speak to the assistant manager who handled the situation much more professionally and was kind, understanding, and willing to listen. Unfortunately, Patrick's behavior completely ruined the experience and left a terrible impression on what was supposed to be a special birthday dinner. His behavior was racial profiling. No guest should feel singled out, uncomfortable, or disrespected simply for taking a photo when there were no visible rules posted anywhere in the restaurant.

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    Bebo's Café

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    4.3(691 reviews)
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    Kept seeing a bunch of reviews on how amazing this place was and honestly it's up there…read more To start off, I'm not really a sweets guy so my take is going to be a little off from the general public. We were able to snag a reservation but for a late time which was about an hour and a half before close. The service was super great but one thing I wished they mentioned that the bottled water was going to be a $40 charge lol. Makes sense for any upscale restaurant though. Should've mentioned we wanted tap so fair warning, ask cause you WILL get charged haha. We had a group of 10 and for how big the group was, the food came out pretty fast. I don't think we ever had a time between drinks to entrees where we were waiting for food to come out. We got the watermelons mojito for drinks since it was the most raved about. It was good but personally nothing crazy for me. 8/10 score on that. We also curry popcorn chicken, the ahi tuna lollipops, the empanadillas and the goat cheese quesadillas for apps and honestly overall 9/10. This is where I don't like the sweetness part of this meal. The empanadillas were what I was most excited for but it was more sweet then savory which sort of lose my appetite a little. I think if you like that kind of taste then it's going to be good. It wasn't a bad taste at all. Just too sweet for my liking. The curry popcorn chicken was good and the lollipops were great. Again, nothing crazy. The goat cheese quesadillas was good as well but again, too sweet for my liking. Now on to the entree, they didn't have the porkchop since we came late so I ended up getting the porkchop belly dish. When it came out, it looked amazing but then I got a whiff of it and smelled cinnamon. That's when I was sort of disappointed. It was like eating pork but tasting Cinnamon Toast Crunch and as said before, it tasted great but too sweet for me. This one was way too sweet to where it seemed like a dessert item. I just had poor luck and got one of the one items that were sweet. This doesn't tank the rating down whatsoever because I also should've read it had cinnamon. It would've been great if they made a dipping sauce or something to pair it with and not have it on the pork belly itself. I got to try other dishes my friends got which were good as well but I wish I got to try something else. If I came back I would try the sold out item which was the pork shank or the sea bass. I know for a fact the sea bass was amazing. Had a bite of it and thought "I'll come back for that" Overall, 10/10 experience and nothing bad about the place but gotta try different items when I go next time. I understand the hype now

    The food was very good, but unfortunately the service left a lot to be desired…read more What should have been a romantic dinner celebrating our engagement turned into a frustrating experience. Throughout the evening, we repeatedly had to try to get someone's attention just to order water, drinks, request an appetizer, and eventually place our entrée order. The lack of attentiveness was distracting and took away from what should have been a special occasion. By the end of the meal, we were so exhausted by the experience that we decided to skip dessert altogether because it didn't seem worth waiting and trying to flag someone down yet again. For a dinner that cost nearly $300, I expected a much higher level of service. While the food was enjoyable, the overall experience fell well short of expectations, especially for such an important celebration. .

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    I highly enjoyed La Cueva Del Mar! I wanted a mix of Latin and seafood and this was the perfect…read morechoice. It was recommended by one of our tour guides so it is a great option for both locals and tourists. It had a nice atmosphere and very large menu with many different types of options. The Frutti di mare was one of the best pastas I've ever had! It had almost every type of seafood you could want. A great option for someone who wants to try a bit of everything. It was large enough to satisfy you but not too large where you have to take leftovers it back to your hotel. It also came with a salad and delicious bread. My husband ordered the yucafongo pollo, and was very impressed. It was also filling and well made. The drink menu also had a lot of options. I went with the sangria which was super tasty! It's more on the fruity side. Our service was great and we didn't have to wait long for a table or our food, although it seemed busy. Whether you live in the area or are just on vacation, I would recommended trying it out!

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    El Jibarito - Flan de coco and flan de chocolate

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    Loveddddd this place in Old San Juan! Jeremy was an amazing server. The beef stew was so flavorful…read moreand moist. It paired so well with the trifongo. We had come here for an afternoon snack and drinks as we were walking around old San Juana and the forts all day and had gone to one fort and ready to move to the next after a bite. This was the perfect meal to hold us over. Not so greasy and not too filling. The drinks were just average but refreshing after hours in the sun. The atmosphere is casual and busy and loud. However, the service was quick even with them being busy. I highly recommend the beef stew with mofongo and coming here even if it's just for that!

    The restaurant has the ambiance of a small town PR restaurant that you would find tucked away in…read morethe country roads of the island, with the long shared tables and the decorations. The wait was usual for Old San Juan. About 30-45mins. They take your name down and call you when there's a table ready. What they don't tell you is that the menu is a QR code on the table. Once you figure that you see a well organized and simple 2 pages menu with many PR authentic dishes listed. The waiter comes about 10-15mins later. And it's best to have all your order ready as they don't come back very often. The place is usually packed all the hours that they're open. Food: that's why they lost a star. Rice and beans, Madurai/amarrillos, scurrilous, delicious 5 stars, but the bigger, empanada, chicken with garlic lack the bite that you come to expect of PR food! They lack taste, "Sazon", they were bland and tasted more like someone forgot to season them and forgot the garlic. I'd tell them to go back to their food and make PR food like it's supposed to taste, not for the tourist, please!

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    0.5 km
    $$

    Look, were we at an alcapurria spot ordering pastelillos? Yes. Do we regret it? Absolutely not…read more We got one each of vegetariano, cebolla y queso, pollo, and guayaba con queso. The vegetariano was mid, but the other three? No complaints. But honestly, the food is only part of the story here. The vibe is everything. Salsa playing, high energy, warm service. We rolled in late and hungry, looking for sweet refuge from La Placita crowds, and they welcomed us like we belonged there. The music started out mixed, but at some point it shifted to Contra La Corriente front to back. We were enjoying our pastelillos, singing along to No Me Conoces, minding our own business when... el apagón. Not the whole Placita, just a couple spots including this one. The staff didn't miss a beat. Flashlights came out, mood lighting appeared, and nobody rushed us. We finished our food. We paid. We left happy. 5 stars because some experiences are bigger than the sum of their parts. This was one of them.

    This is not a polished, Instagram-perfect restaurant and that's exactly the point. That's why I…read morelove it so much. Tucked inside La Placita de Santurce, its a small, casual, almost hidden spot that's usually packed with locals. Think plastic chairs, outdoor tables, music playing and a constant flow of people coming in for a quick bite or drink. Feels more like a neighborhood hangout than a restaurant. I've been coming here for years and this is what I've learned, take it from a local. For a quick bite, alcapurrias are a MUST -- especially beef or crab. Also the "pastelillos" are amazing-- corn beef, chorizo, morcilla... Everything freshly made to order. Now, if you want to sit down and enjoy an authentic Puerto Rican meal, here are some of my favorites: chuletas fritas, chicharrones de pollo, bistec encebollado and carne frita-- of course with a side of rice and beans or tostones for the win. Bottom line: you come here for flavor and authenticity, not comfort. Enjoy

    Photos
    La Alcapurria Quemá
    La Alcapurria Quemá - Chorizo empanada

    Chorizo empanada

    La Alcapurria Quemá - Empanadas

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    Empanadas

    Orozco's

    Orozco's

    4.0(1k reviews)
    0.2 km
    $$

    The ambiance is casual cool. The service is EXCELLENT! Our waitress answered all our questions and…read morehelped us figure out what we should drink and order. The food was delicious and nice and hot! We had shared a plate and it was just the right size for us. Excellent choice!

    So this is the 2nd time going to Orozcos. You can find it in Diners Drive-ins and Dives. So after a…read moredisastrous attempt at sushi across the street we decided to keep it simple and go to the place in Condado that is guaranteed to be great authentic Puerto Rican food. Coño! It was good! I'm Puerto Rican and I was born and raised in Puerto Rican culture and I can say Orozcos is legit. I ordered their amazing Chuleton Kan Kan with arroz con gandules. (Big crispy pork chop with yellow rice and pigeon peas) It was delicious but you have to eat it traditionally with your hands. Don't try to be proper just dig in like the locals do. Just treat of a piece, eat it and then eat some rice. Mmmmm!!! Don't forget their signature hot sauce it's delicious but not too spicy. My daughter and wife ordered the monfongo with Bistec and mini empanadillas which is a regular beef empanada cut in half. Mix some of that hot sauce with it and BAM! You got the perfect appetizer. The monfongo was their star. I was chowing down on my pork chop but I had to steal a few bites lol. The beef was tender and delicious and the monfongo was soaked in the steak sauce, it was bliss! The staff were funny and very efficient and they all helped each other out. The atmosphere was personal and small with amazing salsa music playing and air conditioners blasting. It was so comfortable I highly recommend Orozcos!!!

    Photos
    Orozco's - Seating area

    Seating area

    Orozco's
    Orozco's - Tree milk

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    Tree milk

    Cocina Al Fondo - Rabbit meatballs, root vegetables 'al pilón' - good!

    Cocina Al Fondo

    4.6(93 reviews)
    0.9 km

    Beautiful restaurant with outstanding, creative dishes…read more My husband and I ordered one app and two entrees. The portions were very large, and we would have been fine with just two menu items! To start, we had the roasted eggplant, lamb 'picadillo', date sofrito, 'Feliche' yogurt. Really delicious and probably best for sharing among 3-4 people as it's a bit heavy given the lamb. Nevertheless, it was really good and we finished it! For entrees, we tried the (1) rice with rabbit, sweet plantain in its leaf and the (2) breaded pork loin, mushroom cream, cherokee tomatoes from San Lorenzo, tostones. Our server was super excited when we ordered the rice with rabbit and I understand why. It was insanely flavorful. Also a massive portion haha. We really enjoyed this. The pork loin was delicious as well, especially with the mushroom cream. Plantains are one of my favorite foods, and these tostones did not disappoint. The restaurant itself is beautiful. It's a nice mix of modern decor with homey, vintage elements. There is a very large outdoor space, but I'm really glad we ate inside. Definitely recommend - especially for a group that likes to share!

    What a perfect dining experience. The staff genuinely seem thrilled to work there. They made us…read morefeel so welcome. They were also so excited to recommend dishes from their expansive menu! Beautiful layout with roomy indoor seating arrangements and a lovely outdoor seating space. Bathrooms were pristine with a changing table Food: Corn fritters with cod & heirloom tomatoes - light and delicious, packed with layers of flavor. Nice blend of textures from crispy to the savory tender fish and the tomato crisp Chicken thigh chicharrones - wow. So good. Tender and flavorful Prawns - plump and tasty. Soaked in a wonderful stew I would say 3-4 dishes is good for 2 people with a healthy appetite Would 100% like to come back the next time we are in Puerto Rico

    Photos
    Cocina Al Fondo
    Cocina Al Fondo - La Maja cocktail, Beets and 'Lucía' goat cheese terrine, honey, cherry tomatoes, almonds, artisanal bread toast - lovely

    La Maja cocktail, Beets and 'Lucía' goat cheese terrine, honey, cherry tomatoes, almonds, artisanal bread toast - lovely

    Cocina Al Fondo - Funky Fashion - their twist on Old Fashioned

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    Funky Fashion - their twist on Old Fashioned

    Cocina Abierta - puertorican - Updated June 2026

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