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    The Franklin Room

    4.3 (632 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 2 months ago

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    THE FRANKLIN ROOM ATMOSPHERE

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

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    Recommended Reviews - The Franklin Room

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    Mango Cheesecake
    Mark T.

    Instagram sent me, not via an influencer, but a very alluring ad. If I were to book a reservation then and there, I could get an Old Fashioned made with Colonel E.H. Taylor for a lower price. Sold! I made a reservation and stopped in that week (if not that very day). The Old Fashioned was fantastic! It had strong whiskey notes without hitting you with a wall of spirit the way a Manhattan, for example, does. The other additions of bitters and syrup did a perfect job rounding the cocktail out, adding sweet and savory notes. As much as I love variety, I loved it so much, I ordered two! I can't lie and say this wasn't at least in part due to the reduced price, that notwithstanding, me ordering two of the same is some of the highest, non-verbal praise one could get from me. For a main, I had the opportunity to try the burger, a special only available 5:00 - 6:30, and mind you I eked in by the skin of my teeth. Before I attempt to break this down, though, I need to take a slight tangent: Do any of you remember the quote from The Menu where Anya Taylor-Joy says: "A real cheeseburger. Not some fancy, deconstructed, affluent b***s***, a *real* cheeseburger."? I am pleased to report the burger here was somewhere between Chef Slowik's "very traditional cheeseburger" and the one Taylor Joy describes! In other words, just fancy enough to feel like I am getting a unique, creative, well thought out dish, but without all the pomp and circumstance! There's just one little problem: as soon as I bit into it, the juices erupting from within soaked the bottom bun, and turned it into a fork and knife affair with an unseen level of precision and speed. Very regrettably, this was the burger's undoing. That first, heavenly bite that had angels singing showed what the burger was really made of (and I mean this figuratively and literally). The beef was of the highest quality, well-seasoned, cooked medium and juicy, with a perfect sear that would have Louis Camille Maillard crying tears of joy. Two types of cheese (one being crisp and airy, the other thoroughly gooey and savory), the perfect amount of bacon, moisture and flavor from a tempura tomato, and divine sauces! One of them was a little sweet, which elevated the flavor like no one's business. Together, all these flavors were a symphony that could give Beethoven a run for his money. However, that unfortunate fact that the thing fell apart so quickly meant that symphony was limited to one bite, the rest being encountered piecemeal. I would rather skip fries than skip dessert (which I did), and ordered the Mango cheesecake. Such velvety perfection! Neither the sweetness nor the mango notes were overpowering, and while it didn't have the crust of a traditional cheesecake, the more gentle variant here absolutely works. I also appreciated the tart sorbet to offer some contrast in flavor, temperature, and texture. Now, let me talk about the service. Given that the restaurant was at capacity, the bar service and speed to get my items was reasonable. Could it hypothetically have been just a touch faster/more attentive? Yes, but in practice, when you have a full house, this is as good as it can get before robots take over. Finally, there is the matter of prices. There is no doubt in my mind that the quality is up there, at the same time, the reason I skipped the side of fries was it would have set me back $11. I suppose the real question is whether or not the quality equals the price, and after some reflection, I think the answer is yes, but one must be prepared for the sticker shock ahead of time. That said, the final verdict: The Franklin Room absolutely delivers on an all-around fantastic meal. I think whatever you order will be in the 90th percentile, at worst! However, this comes at a cost. Therefore, I would love to return to the Franklin Room, but it would likely be more a very occasional treat than a place where I'd be a regular.

    Lamb Chops
    Allisen J.

    Awesome experience right in the neighborhood. Fabulous drinks (carrot, ginger vodka cocktail), rich & beautifully presented food, and vibey ambience. Never knew I needed lamb chops as an app but here we are and now I will expect them on the apps at other places! Perfect bite size and great cut. Mains were so good and everyone was so happy with their choices. Presentation was BEAUTIFUL and flavors were rich without being overbearing. Service was great and brought out a birthday dessert for my boyfriend! They have an awesome loyalty program, so definitely sign up for that to earn points/$! We just moved to the neighborhood and this will definitely be a neighborhood favorite, especially in winter months.

    Aviation cocktail
    Isha J.

    Always a great time catching up with friends at The Franklin Room. The ambiance and lighting is lovely, and I was able to snag a reservation for 3 on a Friday night pretty last minute. We enjoyed the Taro Fries and oysters for food, and the Healthy Habit and Malbec for drinks. The favorite for the whole group was definitely the desserts - the mango cheese cake is incredible and I would love to come back again for that. We also enjoyed the chocolate crunch dessert.

    Marinated Butchers Steak
    David Y.

    food: steak was good, wish there was more portions but the flavors are there, mango cheesecake was perfect balance of sweetness and tartness with the sherbert service: super nice staff, gave my friend a free dessert for birthday ambiance: good atmosphere, definitely gets busy so can be hard to hear at times

    Christy C.

    Delicious drinks and amazing service in a cozy, classy atmosphere! Our server was both friendly and knowledgeable and our drinks were great! I always love when I can get a great aviation and this is a good spot for that. On my list to come back to when I'm in town next!

    Chocolate Crunch
    Nolan F.

    1. Chocolate Crunch - Feuilletine, dark chocolate mousse, mascarpone, meringue, praline hazelnut, choco crumble 2. Marinated Butchers Steak - Chimichurri, fried plantain, bearnaise 3. FR Wagyu Burger - mishama reserve, wagyu beef bacon, cheese basque, tomato tempura, bourbon miso, pickle 4. Miso Salmon - Pickled cauliflower, salmon croquette, zucchini, miso beurre Blanc, ikura, red vein sorrel Experience was a mixed bag of good quality and confusing combo of ingredients but nothing bad. Butchers steak was very flavorful and lean but tender. The plantains and bearnaise 'foam-y sauce?' didn't complement the steak imo. I didn't try my brother's salmon but he didn't seem to dislike it. We shared the (limited time) Wagyu Burger. It was tasty but again, a confusing combo of ingredients that's lost on me. IMO, the chef is trying too hard to elevate his food but again, nothing was bad. Chocolate crunch was simple, perfectly executed, and my favorite dish of the night. I love a small menu. Waiter was friendly. I wish service included wiping down our table in-between courses. Classy interior design.

    Wagyu Steak Tartare
    Alison A.

    Very pretty and dark vibes inside. I got the tartare and thought it was pretty good and refreshing

    French 75
    Crissie H.

    I went in solo (work travels). They require you sit at the bar if you're alone, even if you don't want to. That aside, food was amazing and I ended up having a wonderful chat about books with the bartender, who told me about a speakeasy around the corner I checked out! But seriously - give solo diners more options/dignity and not force us to have the bar as the only option. It wasn't busy...

    Tortellini
    Kate H.

    Holy moly! This place is a bit of a hidden gem, but don't sleep on it! Came here with a friend for dinner and everything was impressive. We shared the tuna crudo, tortellini, branzino, and broccolini. The tortellini was by far my favorite (it literally just melts in your mouth!) but it was all good. The flavor on the tuna crudo was also incredible, and it was super light. On Mondays, they do 1/2 price bottles of wine. We really wanted to try their old fashioned, but once we discovered a bottle of Chateauneuf-du-Pape on the menu, we couldn't pass that up (you don't normally see those on restaurant wine menus)! Andrew, our server, was excellent. He was friendly and attentive without hovering, and gave us great advice on the menu. I would definitely request to sit in his section the next time I come. It does have a speakeasy vibe, but in a cozy way. It's lower lit, lots of candles, and not overly large inside. When we sat down it was pretty quiet, though it picked up a bit as we sat there. It never got overly loud, though. I will definitely be back, and soon!

    Marinated Butcher's Steak, Truffled Tuna Crudo, Pasta Al Pesce
    Julie V.

    We had a last-minute change in dinner plans and discovered The Franklin Room on Yelp! Even without a reservation, we got lucky and snagged a table. The place was fully booked, but someone didn't show up, and the host kindly seated us. The restaurant had an almost speakeasy feel, tucked away somewhat underground. We ordered the truffled tuna crudo, pasta al pesce, and marinated butcher's steak. There was a bit of a wait between the starters and mains. The truffled tuna crudo was incredible - rich and flavorful. Both of our main courses were delicious: the seafood pasta was full of flavor, and the steak was tender and juicy. Overall, we really enjoyed the elegant atmosphere and great food!

    Marinated Butchers Steak
    Teresa H.

    Came on NYE and had a lovely time! My husband and I shared the crab cake special, steak and broccolini and all were really incredible. Service was quick and friendly and the aesthetics were spot on for a somewhere in between casual and classy NYE. My only complaint is that tables in the high top area w a shared booth wall are VERY close together. When someone at the next table had to get up they were touching our table- we actually ended up chatting with them as they overheard our discussion about the menu. In our case this was not the end of the world, but not the best setup if you want any conversational privacy.

    Strawberry lychee red wine gelato
    Carina L.

    Went in for another solo date and still as great as the first one. The bar seats makes the slightly upscale interior less intimidating/more approachable going in alone The mixologist was a great conversationalist, he knew exactly when to check in / leave me be (to savor the truffle tortellini). The drink he made me was sensational (off menu so I can't even order it again ) and honestly why I love letting mixologists choose my drink/design a drink for me. The only reason I'm taking off a star here is the portion sizes for the food - definitely on the smaller size for an entree.

    Wagyu Steak Tartare
    Michelle C.

    The food presentation, drinks, service, ambiance, and the flavor of everything were all great!! We celebrated a friend's birthday here, and the staff was incredibly accommodating. What we ordered: - Wagyu steak tartare: I'm usually not a fan of steak tartare, but this one was SO GOOD. I still remember the mustardy taste and the garnish. Perfection. Definitely ordering this again. - Spicy bourbon mussels: Delicious! The sauce was great, and we had plenty of bread on the side to dip in it. - Wild mushroom tartine: As a mushroom fan, I loved this dish. The mushrooms soaked up all the sauce, adding a good texture. - Bristol Bay scallops: These looked as good as they tasted I will definitely be coming back here. It's the perfect spot for celebrations and date nights.

    Wagyu Burger

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    Ask the Community - The Franklin Room

    Can a child go there and eat early in the evening?

    I don't think so, but there's a restaurant before you enter the speakeasy, more like a pool hall joint though.

    It's a subterranean restaurant- do they have an elevator?

    I enjoyed the grand entrance coming down the stairs but I'm sure an establishment like The Franklin Room would have accommodations for disabled. Don't miss out on the experience, call to check!! Enjoy!!

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    King of Cups - Old Fashion

    King of Cups

    4.4(131 reviews)
    2.0 miLincoln Park

    The best way I can describe King of Cups is to say this place is a VIBE. The theme is all-in on…read moreMedieval, from the lighting to chandeliers, candles, mirrors, chairs, drapes, and even changing digital paintings. It is definitely unique, creative, and a massive differentiator from any other cocktail bar I've been to. Now, let's talk cocktails! The creativity of the interior extends into the menu. Unlike some places that just make variations of existing classics (except for items specifically so named, like the Old Fashioned or Espresso Martini), all of their cocktails are unique and interesting. Time for a punch card? I ordered the Maximillian the Imposter. While I'm not typically a fan of banana (except for banana bread), I thought I'd step out of my comfort zone, and I wanted to try something 'flaming'. Flaming it was! The preparation of the drink involved a surprising amount of fire. I initially thought this was just for show, but no, this translated into a noticeable smoky flavor. Beyond that, the drink was strong, not overly sweet, and an all-around delight. There was one bartender on the night I was here, and while it was busy, I was still able to get my drink in a reasonable amount of time. I also feel as though they have reasonable prices, especially considering the quality and the market rates. King of Cups gets busy, and for good reason: they are an all-around phenomenal place, from the drinks to the vibe, and everything in between. If you're someone who likes a seat rather than fighting through a crowd, get a reservation! See you there!

    What a nice, moody, intimate bar. I came here for happy hour and was pleasantly surprised at how…read moreit's an actual discounted happy hour menu! You know it is these days - most places just knock a dollar off and call it a day. This one is legit! I'd say you should make a reservation for prime time to ensure you'll have a seat. However when it's early no big deal to just pop by. I enjoyed the plum Moscow mule (not too sweet!) and the espresso martini. Both are on draft which made me nervous from past experiences at other places. However, these were great and I LOVED their espresso martini. The bartender was kind and the vibes were off the charts. Check this place out next time you're in Lincoln Park!

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    King of Cups - Bar and seating

    Bar and seating

    King of Cups - Espresso martini

    Espresso martini

    King of Cups - Plum Moscow mule

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    Plum Moscow mule

    Geja's Cafe

    Geja's Cafe

    3.9(1.7k reviews)
    1.6 miLincoln Park
    $$$

    A dimly lit, cramped, dark, and friendly space rests a fondue restaurant made for a night out with…read morefriends, date night, or just a desire for melted cheese. A guitarist sits somewhere against a brick wall and plays music lightly but energetically. Service is friendly from start to finish and smiles are on everyone's faces. The menu is pretty easy to understand. You can get a three-course meal, or you can get each entree à la carte. You have two fondue candles in front of you, one for the cheese and dessert, and the other for the oil. We chose the three-course meal, and it was delightful. We started with the cheese appetizer. You get a basket of bread and fruit and we chose the seasonal cheese to dip. The oil for our meat was then left to heat, and we received a massive platter of veggies and meats for our main course. We chose the option for all selections of meat and seafood. After trying all the meats, I would opt for the lobster and shrimp. You can also substitute the oil for a broth. I would like to try the broth for next time. In one of the shakers, Gejas makes their own meat spice mix. It's recommended to put on the meats and even the desserts. It's a mix of tangy and savory and was a great compliment to the meal. We then chose the seasonal dessert, a white chocolate with vanilla cookies. Fruit, marshmallows, and churros to dip. We were so full by the time dessert came, but we enjoyed a few bites and took it home. The three-course meal, with five types of meat, came with about 10 pieces of meat. It doesn't look like a lot of food, but it truly is, with the apps, veggies, etc, your stomach will be full when you walk out of here. They also start the entire course with a mixed salad (so technically it's a four-course meal). It was very fairly priced, as well. Initially looking at the prices, you may think it's expensive, but it truly is a value with the amount of food they serve. This was rated as most romatic restaurant in Chicago. Its ambiance gives you the romantic feel, the guitarist adds to the atmosphere, and the staff is professional and friendly. This really was a great place and we enjoyed our time and meal.

    We came to Geja's to celebrate our anniversary and it certainly lived up to the hype. We were…read morelucky enough to have a table off the side by the window so it maintained the intimate feel without feeling cramped by other tables. Food-wise, it was very fun to cook everything ourselves. I do think the appetizers were my favorite part because I do just love fruits and cheeses, but everything was great. They were also very accommodating of celiac. Overall, we had a wonderful anniversary celebrating at Geja's.

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    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe
    Geja's Cafe

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    Gemini - Avocado Toast + Lincoln Park Turkey Club

    Gemini

    4.0(763 reviews)
    1.8 miLincoln Park
    $$

    It's Summer Time Chi season in Lincoln Park. Extensive patio at Gemini is super inviting. Jacob our…read moreserver was exceptional in his engagement & making reco's on drinks and food. Even though half my party was late, I never felt rushed. The FKG mocktail was sweet and flavorful. The Spritzer was a good alcoholic next drink. Truffle Parm fries were a table fav. Burrata was smaller than I expected for $18. Enjoyed my beet salad with salmon. Will def be back and highly recommend!

    I've eaten at Gemini over the years and have been able to sample a lot of what's on offer. I've had…read moremost of the specials but will usually get either the swordfish or the steak frites. Those are typically very good which is why I come back. The burger though. Why is it such a consistent disappointment? It's small, has the pancetta (a nice rubbery disc of salt) and just seems like kind of an afterthought to the otherwise well-considered menu. I've been eating it on occasion for 10+ years here always with the hope that it has improved. I would love to see a do-over on the burger. It would be great to have a place in the neighborhood that consistently delivered. As it stands, it's a distant second to RJ Grunt's, Small Cheval and not even in the same realm as Armitage Alehouse's burger. Really hoping I get to come back and revise this review to rave about how much better it got. The staff is always very nice and attentive as well. From host stand to bartenders, waitstaff and everyone clearing and setting, always a very nice group that seems like they take pride in their work, which is much appreciated.

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    Gemini - Nice view inside restaurant

    Nice view inside restaurant

    Gemini - Burrata crostini

    Burrata crostini

    Gemini - Brussel sprouts

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    Brussel sprouts

    Le Mistral - Inside the building - Le mistral is all the way down on the right side

    Le Mistral

    4.8(13 reviews)
    2.1 miLincoln Park

    The service is just incredible. That's what stands out the most. We came after having a superb…read moredinner at S.K.Y. and out waitress transferred us to Le Mistral for dessert as we were hoping to end the night with another cocktail. The transition was seamless, the walk through the kitchen was very cool, everyone was very friendly and excited to see guests. Our dessert came quickly to Le Mistral instead of S.K.Y. and was superb. Our waiter at Le Mistral was very friendly, gave some good advice on the cocktails, and was consistently attentive. My cocktail was just OK - sherry-based martini. I don't normally like a martini but all the ingredients actually seemed very much up my alley - the sherry, benedictine, rose vermouth. But the olive just overpowered. And definitely not worth the price of $24... Would definitely return and try the food next time as well.

    We popped in on a Monday night for a nightcap after finishing up at Mon Ami Gabi across the lobby…read more Our experience was meh. I don't know if every Monday is Metal night, but it was that Monday - Black Sabbath, Nu-Metal, everything but the live goldfish. Perhaps they should advertise "Monday Metal at Mistral" if that is to be a regular thing. It does flow off the tongue. To be fair, there was a full house and the other patrons did not seem to mind. We were not looking to feel the noize, however, and so stayed for just one cocktail. Mine was a Sazerac adjacent mix, and it was very high quality. The decor is very low light, but the vibe is pretty basic - more Paint Your Dorm Room black than Parisian Opium Den black. A bit of a missed opportunity for romance.

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    Le Mistral
    Le Mistral
    Le Mistral - Inside

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    Inside

    Esme

    Esme

    4.1(154 reviews)
    1.9 miLincoln Park
    $$$$
    Fine dining
    Private events

    Esmé, consistently One of Our Favorites in Chicago…read more We went to Esmé last night on a Monday and were pleasantly surprised to see both an event happening in the bar and a solid number of diners in the dining room. Not many Michelin starred restaurants can pull that off on a Monday, but Esmé always seems to have energy. This place has become one of our most reliable favorites. They change the menu a few times a year in conjunction with rotating local artists, and the restaurant itself feels more like a refined art gallery than a traditional dining room with white walls, clean lines, simple and elegant. Last night was no exception to their usual excellence. The experience is really anchored by Chris Gerber, a longtime Chicago hospitality pro, and his team. They are flawless. This is true hospitality in every sense of the word. They usually keep two signature dishes, and for good reason. The caviar supplement sounds odd on paper, but in your mouth it is absolute perfection. The cod sounds simple, but it is anything but, rich, decadent, and always one of the highlights. Everything new on this menu was also outstanding. Every course had beautifully balanced sauces that made sense with the dish, and the presentations were creative without being gimmicky or over the top. The plating always ties in with the featured artist in a way that feels thoughtful, not forced. One tip. Be careful when choosing your beverage pairing. We did not read closely enough and ended up with the more inventive pairing that included cocktails and a beer. It was fun, but afterward we wished we had gone with the higher end wine pairing instead. Bottom line. Esmé remains one of the most consistent Michelin starred experiences in Chicago. It is not just very good. It is reliably excellent every single time.

    My rating of a 3 is specifically for the Restaurant Week menu though I'll say it definitely didn't…read moreinspire me to come back. I really wanted to like it; this was a nine-year anniversary dinner. Service was really attentive and friendly and I did appreciate that they brought out specific utensils for me as a left-handed person, never saw that before! The restaurant felt a bit bare and sterile, I think I was maybe expecting a little more decor on the table for a Michelin star restaurant. To echo several of the reviews below, the salad was awkward to share and scanty, the soup was good but the bread served with it felt like an afterthought, the sturgeon wasn't anything special though the sauce was quite good, and we are pretty sure the cut of beef was not wagyu or if it was it was not cooked the right way. The beef was the most disappointing part, I couldn't even chew through all of it. The add-ons were the best part - pasta was great and our dessert was delicious. But the rest of the meal was unfortunately mediocre. Hoping that others have a different experience with the regular menu!

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    Esme
    Esme
    Esme

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    Willow Room - Arugula salad over avocado toast with poached eggs.

    Willow Room

    4.2(429 reviews)
    1.5 miLincoln Park, DePaul
    $$

    Great dinner here tonight - had the mussels, burger, and octopus. All were exceptional. The drinks…read morewere also very good, and the service was awesome. Great meal overall.

    Chicago Restaurant week. I reviewed various dining options in search of a good place for dinner…read more Reddit gave me some ideas. I'd never been to Willow Room and liked that they had a four course dinner menu, with items I liked. I was able to make a reservation for a Saturday night at 8:15pm. PARKING Parking on Halsted on a Saturday night can be a nightmare, and it did take a minute to find street parking. North of the 1800 block is busier because there are several restaurants within a two block radius. Side streets are permit parking after 6pm. Meters on Halsted are $2.50/hr. ATMOSPHERE Willow Room was pretty packed. We had a reservation for 8:15pm and my party of two was seated right away. The restaurant features a full bar, dim lighting and is nice and roomy. They have banquette seating around the perimeter, in addition to tables in the middle. SERVICE Our server, who was very nice and accommodating during our dining experience, came by and gave us our menu's. I had already decided on the RW menu and after review, my friend was interested in the Beef Wellington (not on RW menu). Our server informed us that normally the whole table had to order off of the RW menu if one person does, but said she would check with the kitchen since this was the last day of RW. Luckily, we were able to proceed with ordering from different menu's. FOOD I ordered a raspberry Cosmopolitan. I'm a Riesling/Moscato girlie, but I tasted the Riesling and didn't like it. RW dinner was priced at $60. I ordered: First Course: Caesar Salad (Typical salad, was good) Second Course: Mussels (Tasted fine, came with a baguette) Third Course: Short Rib (Could've been slightly more tender and better seasoned. I've definitely had better. Wouldn't order again.) Fourth Course: Orange Ricotta Donuts (Donuts were very good. Three were served, a few more would have been more filling.) My friend ordered a glass of Pinot Noir and: Truffle Fries (Fries were very tasty. I would order again if I went back.) Beef Wellington (The breading was buttery and very good. The beef could've been more seasoned. I wouldn't order.) Key Lime Pie (Was not sweet and had no taste. When our server came back and saw it was uneaten, she offered to take it off the bill. It should be removed from the menu altogether.) The busboys and server were very attentive. Our water glasses were always filled. OVERALL The atmosphere was nice, our server was great. Of all the food we ordered, I would order the truffle fries and Cosmopolitan again. I did leave full and did take my leftover Short Rib to go. Main dishes needed more seasoning. I would dine here again and try a different menu (brunch/lunch), or Happy Hour if they offer it.

    Photos
    Willow Room
    Willow Room
    Willow Room - French 75

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    French 75

    The Franklin Room - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

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