Very cute but very small spot. We arrived at 6:30 knowing there would be a bit of a wait for 2 but were surprised to hear it would be 2.5-3 hours. We decided to stick it out and went to another bar for wait- we ended up getting a text for a table less than 2 hours later which was a nice surprise! The menu is very small and we were excited to try the focaccia, however they had run out by the time our table was ready. We opted for the bruschetta and it was okay but would not get again. The pasta was definitely the star of the show! The noodles are so fresh, cooked perfectly and the sauces were SO good. Al Limone was creamy and fresh (my favorite of the meal), alla vodka was spicy, creamy and flavorful. The noodle shape perfectly held the sauce so every bite was delish. The pasta portions are also huge so we took home leftovers. We also got the meatballs which were a generous serving of 4 giant meatballs. They were delicious and very light but smothered in their red sauce. If you're willing to wait, the pasta and meatballs are worth every cent! read more

Fantino - Al limone - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Stepping in the restaurant felt like being in Europe. Not overly modern nor pretentious. Simple and sleep designs. Looks better in person than the photos. There is a full bar with bar seats. Covered outdoor seats. Street parking. Come early because there is a line at opening. If you don't make it into round one, the wait for round 2 is around 1-2 hours. Great service. The waiters are friendly, knowledgeable, accommodating and sweet. The music is way too loud. They need to lower the music so that people can actually talk and hear each other without difficulty. Walking out was like walking out of a club and you realize how loud the place is. They have several items for appetizer. Most people ordered then focaccia bread with butter. The texture of the bread and butter are on point. The butter could be more flavorful. There is a part of me that feels like bread should be free. Entree has a couple of pasta choices, fish, steak and a couple of other meat options. Don't expect a full pasta menu. Desert menu was lacking, only gelato and a caramel cream dessert. No pastries/cake options. I would return for the great seric read more

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I'm late to reviewing Fantino, but keep reminiscing about the pasta We dined in for our anniversary and had an amazing time! They do not take reservations, so make sure to get there early. We went just after opening and were quoted about a 45 minute wait. We decided to walk to a bar nearby to order drinks and about 10 minutes later we got a call that they had something ready. I wish they took reservations because we were quoted inaccurately and it was a bit confusing. We didn't want to rush our drinks so opted to come back at the original time they stated, which they accommodated. This was the only hiccup as the rest of our dinner was great. For food, we shared the muscles that were AMAZING. they had chorizo and were in a delicious white wine sauce/broth. We left this plate CLEAN and it left me wanting more! For pastas, I got the Al Limone and my boyfriend got the Vongole. The Al Limone was so perfect. the noodles were chewy perfection and the sauce was creamy but not too heavy. usually if i eat a big cream pasta i feel like i've overdone it but not at all with this one. I loved it! The Vongole was also a standout. The sauce had much more depth than i was expecting and the clams were perfect. We got the butterscotch budino for desert and it was the perfect end to a delightful meal. I would love to come back and enjoy more pasta! read more

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We had a delicious meal at Fantino! This place is so cozy and cute. The bartender had great recommendations. We started off with the matrimonio toast and the Caesar salad- both delicious and well balanced. For our mains my husband had the lamb bolognese and I had the mussels. The bolognese was classic and delicious. The mussels were also delicious- savory, spicy and creamy with the perfect crispy grilled bread to accompany. Would definitely recommend! read more

Excellent pasta spot with relaxed but fun vibe. The ragu had a ton of flavor. The old fashioned was great and I highly recommend. The server was awesome as well. Definitely one of my new Italian spots to go to. read more

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Perfect little Italian restaurant that is worth a visit. Arrived a few minutes before 5pm on a Saturday and there was a line but was seated in the first go. Excellent brassica (vegetables) and linguine vongole with generous amount of plump clams. Enjoyed my unique NA cocktail as well. Do not skip the Budino for dessert!! Would be a great girls night, date night or casual dinner - very inviting ambiance. read more

Believe the hype with this one! Cozy and intimate. The wait was about 45mins. Our group walked up to Reel M Inn to have a drink while we waited. Service was impeccable. Every dish was excellent. My friends were visiting from out of town and said that it was the best pasta they ever had. read more

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Walked in on a Thursday night at 5pm and got seated at the bar (very vibey, liked the horse jockey theme throughout with the decor). Highlights: the focaccia (it doesn't look like much in the pictures but it's amazing and so chewy and buttery and delicious), the vongole, the mussels and the butterscotch budino. The patatas bravas were a miss for me since the potatoes were not crispy but the sauces were tasty. (Not the potatoes fault, just had different expectations). Not pictured but we also ordered the whole grilled branzino - I love whole fish and it was nice the staff deboned it for us. However the fish was a little too crispy/burnt and very oily without much flavor. I'm willing to give it another try next time though! Highly recommend for the vibes and the food. We will be back! read more

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Fantino offers yummy Italian food in a cute/cozy space. I arrived 5 minutes before they opened and there were already ~20 people waiting at the door. Come 5-10 minutes before to get into the first wave of seating or be prepared to wait, as they don't do reservations for parties less than 6. The pastas were delicious and were cooked nicely al dente. I enjoyed the Al Limone and Alla Vodka which were overall really simple in ingredients but packed in so much flavor and decadence. The brassica was really bright tasting with the vinaigrette and the bruschetta was juicy and satisfying. Overall had a great experience here. It is a small, cozy, stylishly horse-themed restaurant I would take out-of-towners for a local meal. read more

Fantino - Bruschetta. Portion is huge! - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Really great little Italian spot with a wonderful quaint vibe ambience. It would honestly be perfect for a little girls night.. I loved their Caesar salad. It was delicious. The only thing I would add was I think a true Caesar salad should have some anchovies on it, but that's just me personally.. my husband really enjoyed the little potato appetizers. I'm not a huge fan of potatoes so he loved it. I thought it was OK.. for the pasta the Bolognese was good at all, but the real star was that lemon bucatini. I honestly could have had another serving of this. The perfect meal for me would have been to get the Caesar salad salad a side of focaccia bread to soak up all that lovely sauce from the bucatini. The service was great! the wait staff was super attentive and friendly. I will be definitely coming back again most likely for my next girls night. read more

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This place is cooking up some killer food amongst a quaint and lovely atmosphere. That said, be warned that without a reservation system, you are likely going to be waiting unless you come at the right time. My girlfriend and I came here for a celebratory dinner on Saturday and arrived just after 5pm when they opened. This wound up being just the right time as they were already more than half full but could still accommodate us as a party of two. The interior is not huge with maybe 10-12 tables and is definitely catered more towards a nice dinner date with only a few larger group options. The decor is charming and timeless, with some lovely bar seating, nice lighting, and fun art all with the horse motif. Service I will say was quite good. Everyone seemed attentive to us and it wasn't just a one waiter per table type situation where you don't see someone for 20 min. I will say the water glasses themselves are quite small which required ample fill-ups. But the team was on it and it never became a problem. Now to the food. Overall things were delicious with a couple standouts. The peach and burrata appetizer we had was fantastic with the hot honey and oil. Paired perfectly with the focaccia. Classic Caesar was also nice. The real star for me was the lemon bucatini pasta. Wow, at face value it appears to be a simple dish but the flavors were absolute perfect with the hint of lemon and creamy sauce. Could have had multiple bowls of that and would definitely order again. The pasta all vodka was good but not as much of a standout. The branzino too was tasty just a bit hard to eat with the bones and tapenade that adorned the fish. My gf loved it though and I know that's typical for ordering a whole fish. Drinks were a solid cap to the night. All in all, really fun date night spot and would recommend to visit! read more

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I would've placed at least 4-5 stars for the food and ambience alone however the experience with the service here was very strange. Our waiters were friendly however the timings of our food/drinks came out at odd times, which kinda ruined the experience. At one point only one of my friend's pasta dishes came out... and she finished her plate by the time the rest of our pastas came out. The waiter said that the chef is new and were apologetic about it, but it still was one of the strangest experiences I've had at a restaurant. Otherwise the mocktails and food were delicious, the pasta was a good portion and it was great with the meatballs. The summer chopped salad was super refreshing. The dessert (I forgot the name but it had butterscotch) was so rich! Bathroom was very clean. We got there at 5pm and there was already a line, but we were seated immediately when they opened. read more

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What a cute and cozy spot for dinner! It was a little busy when we arrived so we waited about 15-20 mins. We ordered the broccoli rabe salad and I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprise. The ragu was savory and the cocktail was delightful. read more

Flavor great, staff was great, and the menu has some great options. The vibe is cool, and the staff is welcoming and inviting. We went with a number of entree's and shared them. The eggshell pasta was flavorful, the linguine with clams was fire, and steak which isn't pictured was fire, but just a bit expensive($37.00). The mussels broth was insane, but I think the oil upset my stomach and had me on the toilet from both ends. Something didn't agree. But overall, this was a great experience. read more

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5 stars for the staff. Our waitress was so nice and accommodating. The fantino salad is a must! The meatballs were huge, good, but wished it came with noodles. Steak was also good. I would have given this place 5 stars, but I'm pretty sure that forgot our food. We only started noticing after people that arrived after us were getting their dishes. We ended up being there for close to 3 hours for a party of 4. They did provide us with a discount, but we also had a baby and were not anticipating being out past bedtime. Haha. Would still recommend! Cute intimate spot! read more

Fantino - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

Food this good deserves a much better venue. Everything our party ordered was excellent, but let's be honest: this place is kind of a dump. It's not a charming hole in the wall, either. It's just not on par with the cuisine nor prices. If this crew was operating out of a better location, I'd give them 5 stars all day long. But they aren't, so I can't. read more

Great Pasta, wonderful ambiance, Wonderful wait staff. The food is delicious. I would definitely recommend the meatballs. The wait might be long, but its worth it. read more

For me, a rare 5-star review. G/f surprised me with a trip to Fantino last night. She had noticed it on a drive-by and found reviews to be interesting. We got in around 5;30, got a seat at the bar (our preference). Service was fast and friendly, and not overwhelming. The menu is brief, but interesting. We ended up ordering a couple of apps - toast and olives. The toast was wonderful, sardines on a nicely toasted sliver with a light sauce. Very tasty. Lemon zest (?) on the olives was a cool touch. Ragu for her, mussels for me. Both quite good although the chorizo in the mussels was more of a neutral filling, not the spicier variety of chorizo I'm used to. And the broth of the mussels was exquisite. Not having to ask for garlic bread (included) was a nice touch. Dessert was the Budino for her and an Affogato for me. The espresso in the Affogato was outstanding! Honestly, this is a 4.5 star review owing to the noise level but the quality and taste of the food and the outstanding service bring it up to a five. We'll be back. read more

Fantino - Mussels! - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

New Italian joint on division that is *completely* worth the hype What we got: Heirloom Tomato Bruschetta Duck Fat Patatas Bravas Fantino Caesar Salad Al Limone Bucatini Pomodoro Meatballs Butterscotch Budino Sweet Cream Affogato @fantinopdx in SE Portland, Oregon read more

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Upon entering, we were greeted with a familial-like atmosphere. Everyone around us was there to help and add to the variety of personalities we came to experience in an authentically Italian style kitchen. The first course was their Fantino - the house Caesar - a little fresh cracked pepper, and that was better than my Sicilian best friend makes from scratch. Just perfect with the little gems. Every bite was splendid. Second course, as my friend ordered a beautiful bottle of brunello, was the bistro steak. This steak was tender, juicy, cooked to perfection.... And that au poivre was literally keeping us hostage between proper etiquette and licking the plate clean. My GODS. WELL DONE, CHEF. Third and fourth courses were mussels (with Calabrian chili butter and chorizo?!!!!) and the bucatini (when we dipped in the mussel juice omfg....) and we added in some focaccia for dipping because my GODS that mussel goodness was.... Otherworldly. I could have used a little bit more spice, as could my counterparts, but we also understand not everyone is built to withstand FIRE for heat. That being said... some of the most flavorful, delicious, perfectly cooked, and well-executed dishes of Italian/parisian flare I've had in Portland (as a native). Well done to Connor and Garrett for opening such a great communal place for incredible flavors. Well done to chef Will for making each dish separate but still marrying well with the last. Thank you to Rachel for an incredibly well thought out cocktail and mocktail menu to suit a variety of flavors and goals, and a MASSIVE thank you to our server Jillian who made our entire experience one to remember with her wit, charm, personality, and most excellent recommendations. If you like Nostrana... you'll LOVE Fantino. Get your butt in there. Be patient... it'll be worth it. read more

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This is definitely a new favorite spot for Italian food!!!! First of all, just a heads up, they don't do reservations, their hours are limited and the seating inside is small, so you will have to walk in and wait for a table, but it's well worth it! My boyfriend and I waited for about 30-40 minutes for a table around 8:30 pm on a Saturday! We got the Focaccia, Meatballs, Ragu and Alla Vodka ! Out of everything, the focaccia was hands down the best part of the meal! The bread was so soft and they had this delicious garlic buttery spread and it was very amazing! We ended up having to take another side of focaccia to go to enjoy later! We also really loved the Alla vodka, there was so much flavor and was very enjoyable read more

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Great service, good was really good Only downside there's small parking, and no reservations But totally worth the wait read more

Fantino - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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We got there at 5:30 and were lucky enough to snag the last indoor table. Shortly after we heard wait was an hour for a table so plan accordingly! Reservations can be made only for parties of 6 or more, otherwise walk ins welcome. Ambiance is just what we were looking for to relax with catch up. Delicious cocktails and nicely curated selection of wines. For food we started with the Matrimonio toast which is sardine, lemon, and herb salsa on toast. So delightful! I keep trying to recreate it at home. I may just have to go back for further research. The Gnudi was fun to share and the Al Limone pasta is a lovely dish that makes you feel like it's summertime. We are eyeing the Alla Vodka for next time. See you there! read more

Fantino - Bars Near Me - Portland, Oregon

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Okay it's a long wait. But the ambiance is fantastic, the service is stellar, and the food is amazing! We put our names in, walked in the neighborhood and found a bar to wait at, and returned for a pre-dinner drink outside. The bruschetta was so good, along with our pasta dishes. read more

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Perfect spot for a date night!! I came here with my boyfriend for our anniversary dinner and we had such a special night. We came around 7:45pm on a Thursday night and were able to be seated right away. The ambiance had a cozy neighborhood feel. They dimmed the lights later into the night which was a nice touch. Our sever was really nice and attentive. Food came out quickly. I loved the brassica salad. It had broccoli, lots of parmesan, pine nuts, golden raisins,, and a really yummy dressing. One of my favorite things we ordered. My boyfriend loved the vodka pasta and I thought the limone pasta was good but had a little too many onion and garlic pieces. The butterscotch budino is amazing. I see why it's the only dessert on the dessert menu. Perfect end to the meal. Definitely come here if you are looking for a romantic dinner spot that also has great food! read more

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Unfortunately, this place is not worth the hype. Don't get me wrong, the appetizers were good, but the pasta? Oh my God. My $20 was basically down the drain. I'm used to pasta dishes that actually have inclusions like chicken, mushrooms, or something. Give me anything. Tonight my friend and I ordered the Al Limone pasta, and my sister got the vodka pasta. Both dishes were literally just noodles covered in sauce with a little Parmesan on top. Yes, the noodles are allegedly house-made, but after two bites I needed a little meat, a little texture, something please. Now onto the service: I won't say the staff was rude, but they also weren't particularly warm. It felt a bit standoffish. My friend, sister, and I arrived 30 minutes before opening, and an older couple showed up five minutes before opening. One of the workers came outside and greeted the couple even though he clearly saw us waiting there long before them. Overall, we were disappointed with what we got for the price, and we are people who love to spend money on food. This place was highly recommended to us via TikTok, coworkers, and friends, and wow, I will not be taking recommendations from those people again. read more

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Swung by Fantino around dinner time with a friend; expected a wait and was met with an hour wait so we decided to just walk around the block while we waited. Thankfully, a table opened up in about 45 min rather than the entire hour, phew. We were both pretty hungry so grateful overall. We were placed in a 2 seater near the middle of the dining room and I will say the tables here are placed quiiite close to each other so fair warning, not the best spot for deep, private dinner convos. We both grabbed some N/A drinks which were fun; appreciated the alcoholic and N/A options here as they both seemed delicious. We decided to share and ended up grabbing the bruschetta, brassica salad, the alla vodka, and the gnudi. Favorites were the brassica salad and the vodka but I think we both knew that we'd love those two going in. Food was tasty and we did end with a panna cotta which was good but a bit...grainy almost? Not as smooth as I'm used to having. Service was friendly, food was good, but not the most memorable somehow. Street parking in the area can be hit or miss so plan accordingly! read more

Expect a 1-1.5 hour wait on the weekends for dinner. Small space so they do not have that many tables to cycle quickly. Once the rains pick up again there will be even less without the outdoor table options. Vibe itself was cute and intimate and staff were all very friendly. Apps and drinks were well presented and tasty. Main pasta dishes themselves were just OK which was a bit disappointing after all the wait and hype. read more

Ohhhhhhhhh Fantino, can I keep you forever please? This foodie is in love with every single item you put in front of me from beginning cocktail to ending amaro tasting. Stellar job and entertaining servers. I will definitely be back to see if possibly your other items are as good. read more

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I was so excited to try this place. The last time o visited Portland the wait was too long but I kept seeing reviews of how good it was so o got on the waitlist earlier this time around and unfortunately it wasn't worth the wait. The service was great but the food was just okay. The bread and salad were the most memorable parts of the meal. The vodka pasta was not great. It had a strong tomato paste taste that clearly didn't get cooked down enough. I've made much better at home. The angolotti was decent but a very small portion and lacking flavor overall. It was missing salt or something to give it some more brightness. read more

Had the opportunity to dine here and it was a perfect 10/10. Our server Ben was fantastic, he was charismatic and very knowledgeable about the menu and drinks. The food was great, the drinks were perfect! Definitely want to sit inside next time to get the full experience, but on a nice Portland day I can't complain about sitting outside! Overall, a great evening! read more

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I have so many good things to say. The staff: INCREDIBLE. We ended up chatting with the owner and he is a delight. Very funny guy. Our server was also hilarious, popping in on conversations from time to time. Loved the engagement. The food: FANTASTIC. The homemade pasta reminds me of Italy. You can tell that real heart goes into their dishes. The vodka pasta was so good. Almost ate the whole thing. Focaccia was great. Came at 6pm on a Thursday and got seated right away. Super clean inside. I think they play the same soundtrack on a loop. Would love to work with them on a fitting playlist. read more

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One of my new favorite Italian neighborhood restaurant. Fantino has a small but intimate space, and the service is just so welcoming and friendly. Then the food totally matches the hype, with rustic and homey dishes that has quality preparations. You can tell the kitchen knows what they're doing because everything is made so well. My favorite was the chicken milanese, which were thin pan-fried chicken breast that were crunchy but light, topped with some winter greens and vinaigrette. The brassica salad is another favorite, a cold salad of grilled broccolini with a refreshing shishito vinaigrette. Other things we ate were the vongole, or linguini with clams, and the butterscotch pudding for dessert. Everyone also starts with the housemade foccacia that was fresh, warm and nicely oiled. Can't wait to come back to try more! (No reservations so everyone comes early, even before the restaurant opens. But if you go on a weeknight, the wait isn't long and turnover happens pretty quick.) read more

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Went here for a date and this place definitely lived up to the hype and excitement around it. This dining experience wouldn't have been as memorable if it wasn't for our server Ben. Food: Ordered the Foccacia, Fantino (Caesar Salad), Al Limone, and steak. Food came out at a good pace and did not have to wait long in between dishes. The steak and focaccia were the highlights especially with the sauce the steak is served with. The pasta is also cooked to a good al dente texture. (Menu is small and brief, you will not feel overwhelmed with too many options) Service: One of the most customer friendly restaurants with amazing staff. Our server Ben was super kind and welcoming throughout the experience. To highlight his level of customer service and care, Ben offered different wine options and even gave me samples to see if I would find one that clicked for me during my meal. Atmosphere: Very cute and vibrant indoors, It gives off a very cozy feeling. Outside dining option on a nice sunny day definitely was a better option for a spot like this. read more

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Was excited to try this place and glad to say I enjoyed it a lot. It reminded me of trattorias I visited when I was in Italy. My favorite item we tried by far was the focaccia bread. It was baked fresh and had a super soft and fluffy texture, and the salted butter spread served with it improved the flavor even more. I also enjoyed the vodka pasta and ragu, and the meatballs were good quality as well. Overall I would say this is a cute spot for a date night or night out with friends for high-quality, well-priced Italian food with a good vibe. It's walk-in only (no reservations), so we ended up waiting around 30-40 minutes after arriving around 8pm. read more

Great Experience! Growing up in an Italian household, I can truly say this is the best Italian I've had in Portland. No other "trendy" spot right now can even remotely compare. Presentation, perfect cook, and amazing flavor. Can't wait to go back! read more

Fantino was a great experience! Been open for a couple months now and staff there was welcoming and friendly. Walk-ins only, but if you have a big group it looks like you can request a table ahead of time. We were given a 90min wait time, so we passed time with drinks and looking over the menu. Opted for bar seats after about an hour and that made our experience so fun! We shared dishes and had family style dinner. Ordering the Patatas Bravas, Fantino Salad, Mussels, Meatballs, Alla Vodka, Ragu, and all three dessert options. Favorite dish of the night was Alla Vodka and Mussels! After ordering, our dishes made it out to us timely and quickly. It was curated perfectly. The space is smaller so it is nice and cozy, if you're a horse lover this place is for you! Truly a great dinner and will be back so soon! read more

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Came here for a girl date and the food was good! You will need a reservation though since they are busy.

Our experience from the beginning was unpleasant. However they work out their wait/seating system is not working. We waited an extra 30 minutes from what we were originally told. The pasta was solid. The pasta itself was cooked perfectly. Flavors were okay but could have used more depth. We felt dismissed by the service during our whole dining experience. Wait staff behavior was bizarre. Would not return. read more

This was better than I had hoped. It's a small cozy place with minimal parking spaces. There was a line to get in, and now I know why. Portions were very generous and there was plenty to share. We ordered the bruschetta, both salads, the ragu and the meatballs. The broccolini salad was SO GOOD!!! We were stuffed! Beautiful friendly staff. I will definitely be returning, but I'm bringing 5 others so I can get the big booth!! read more

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