Well we finally made it back here for dinner on a Wednesday night. We started with the pretzel flight. SO disappointing. The sauces were good, especially the beer cheese (at least they haven't changed that). What was pretty terrible were the pretzels themselves. They take the longer soft pretzel logs and cut them into bite size pieces. And then they are FRIED. Who fries soft pretzels? They were hard and greasy. This is the first time in our history of ordering a soft pretzel appetizer that we just couldn't finish it. They were that bad. For entrees Hubby ordered the crispy chicken Caesar and I got the burger with fries. Hubby's salad was huge, but there was way too much Parmesan cheese. He never did get a good taste of the dressing because of that. The chicken on the other hand was well fried and still juicy inside. I ordered my burger medium, and it came out mid-rare, which is how I eat them anyway. The burger itself was salty - guessing the flattop maybe hasn't been cleaned after lunch? The top bun spent a little too much time on the flat top as well. The pickles they use are sour (some people like that, I don't mind), but if you are not a fan of sour pickles, you'll want to skip them. Service was fantastic and it's a very clean place (restrooms are particularly clean). I am sure it is a great place to go for drinks - the bar is pretty extensive. But since we don't bar hop anymore, I don't think we will be going back. One last word on the pretzel appetizer because I am still shaking my head over that. If you want to serve pretzel bites so there are more ways to try all the dipping sauces, just purchase pretzel bites and bake them. read more

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Recently met with some friends & our newborn for a night out! The staff was very accommodating to sit us wherever was easiest with our baby. The waitress we had was really friendly & provided efficient service. The beer list is extensive and there's also plenty of mixed drinks and liquor as well. The menu is filled with a lot of different options. There's something for everyone for sure. A lot of casual but elevated bar foods. I went with the chicken tender platter and I'd get it every time I go back. Perfectly cooked tenders, fresh cut fries, a bowl of their homemade Mac and cheese & coleslaw. All for think $19? That's a steal, and ended up taking half of it home. This is definitely a place that we will continue to come back to. There's another bar & pool tables in the back as well I believe! read more

The Public House - Chicken Tender Platter - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Food took forever for a 4-top, they prioritized cooking door dash meals over new tickets and additionally admitted that "the last two orders of the broccoli you wanted just went out on door dash orders." They gave the same spiel to the other tables as well... Pretzels were hard and greasy, my sandwich was soggy throughout and lacked flavor. The goal should always be prioritizing the people who want to spend money in your restaurant as they are actively sitting inside your establishment. But no, let's prioritize the folks who couldn't be bothered to step through your doors -- Makes complete sense. read more

Great vibes and well-poured drinks, but the service was extremely disappointing. One bartender in particular was very unprofessional. I asked to close my tab twice, and on the second request she used profanity toward me and refused to return my card. Another staff member stepped in and was excellent--he helped me get my card back--but I was never charged for the drinks. When I later asked the original bartender whether my tab had been closed or paid, her response was, "I don't f****** know." Aside from that one individual, the atmosphere was good and the other staff member provided great service. Unfortunately, that experience seriously took away from what could have been a great spot. read more

Buffalo chicken melt was amazing! The perfect amount of spice for a fantastic meal. Will 100% be back for it again soon!

So let's start with the fact that the service was excellent. The waitress was very attentive and nice. The food and the drinks though were nothing special. EVERYTHING was really salty. The lemon pepper wings were so salty they were nearly inedible. The cocktails were overly sweet. Reminded me of the kind of thing you might drink at a college party. The place is so very dark. Not sure how it would be if they were busy as the place was nearly empty when we went through. Plenty of other good places within walking distance. read more

Back at the Public House for the new menu! I tried the Buffalo Caesar Wrap and it was great. The buffalo sauce had the perfect kick. The new menu is has lots of great options, I will be sure to be back for more of it! Once again the wait staff kills it as well. They are so hospitable and engaging. Nick, Kevin, and Dave all made their way to our table to ask us how we were doing. Make your way out! read more

Came in on a Tuesday (Trivia Night). Atmosphere was great. Workers did a great job accommodating the crowd. Ordered the chicken tender platter and it didn't disappoint. Fries were delicious, tenders were crispy on the outside yet juicy on the inside. Star of the show was the Mac n cheese, 1000% will get the Mac n cheese again. read more

The Public House - Chicken Tender Platter - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

The muscles were so good and a generous portion. The beer selection was awesome. There were several I wanted to try. The service was perfect. The ambiance is a tad loud but energetic in all the right ways. read more

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We stumbled upon this awesome restaurant while in the Ghent area and I am so glad we did. Since I don't live anywhere near Ghent, I absolutely love going to the area to try new restaurants. As soon as we walked in, we noticed all the Christmas decorations which were beautiful and the hostess was very welcoming and seated us right away. Since we arrived around 8:30pm on a Friday night, we thought it would be packed but it wasn't busy at all. We started with some of their special cocktails. I chose the "Summer of Love" while my boyfriend decided on the "Part Time Lover". Both were very refreshing but he mentioned that his wasn't very sweet probably due to the grapefruit and lime that was mixed in it. For our entree, we ordered the PH Reuben Sandwich and the wings with PH sauce. The food came out pretty fast, which is always nice. The Reuben Sandwich was a little dry unfortunately. The pastrami looked as if it were freshly cut which was a nice touch but it didn't have much sauerkraut or Thousand Island dressing so we had to hunt down the waiter to ask for more. I ordered the wings with extra sauce and they were definitely saucy but delicious. The wings are served with their homemade ranch dressing which was very good. The flavor of the PH sauce was very tasty, a little tangy and sweet but very flavorful. Our waiter suggested we try the bread pudding made with pretzel bread and let me tell you, it was phenomenal!!!! The pretzel bread gave it a slightly unique taste but it was very delicious!!! Overall, I would definitely return to try some of their burgers and other popular items on the menu. They do have a large room across from the pool table (which is also a super cool touch) to house bigger parties. The staff was very friendly and the food was pretty good! read more

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I've been here a a couple times. I like the pool tables and the space in the back. Trivia nights can be fun. The mushroom burger is great. The mac and cheese is not. The cocktails are also very hit or miss. The lavender 75 was wonderful and the aperol spritz tasted disgusting and had a rotten peanut aftertaste... it's an okay local pub. read more

The food hit the spot for a late-night meal. The pretzel starter came out warm and the accompanying stone-ground mustard and sausage gravy-like sauce to dip it in were tasty. The brussel sprouts were just how I love them - fried to a crispy-crunchy texture. I enjoyed the pork belly BLT; a more substantial take on the traditional BLT. The service was decent; the food arrival was timed well. I think the staff was helping each other out bc we basically interacted with 3 different people. Overall, it's slightly elevated pub food; I'd come back to enjoy the entertainment side of the house, along with a beer. read more

The Public House - Shepherd's Pie - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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Public house is so good! Everything we got was delicious including a burger, chicken tenders, Mac and cheese, and fried pickles (though be warned, the spicy ones are really spicy). Our server was super friendly and they were fast. The inside definitely had a pub vibe but we sat outside which was nice. We will definitely be coming back! read more

Great place to grab some classic bar food and hang out with friends! Came here for their weekly trivia night & it was lots of fun! Make sure to get here early - the place was packed by the time trivia started. We didn't know this until we got there but you can actually reserve tables too. They have a pretty good cocktail menu and a decently sized menu. Two words: Fried. Goodness. Of note, I really enjoyed my onion rings & we got a couple servings of fried pickles to share among the table - they were a crowd favorite! Totally recommend this place for a casual night out in the Ghent area! read more

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this was our first time visiting the restaurant. the food was amazing. I had fish and chips that were lightly battered and crispy. yum. I had a side of the white collar Mac. delish. the service was great. Let me not forget that great pretzel appetizer. cannot go wrong eating at this house. it really is for the public read more

Our group ate at The Public House this past week in the back room. Shane was our bartender/server and he did a great job for a big group. I ordered the fried pickles and Cuban sandwich. The fried pickles were pretty good and had a great kick to them. The Cuban was okay. Not the best Cuban I've had, it could have had a little more mustard and pickles to counter the meat. Final thing, the room was very dark and made the place look dingy. Nice ceiling though. read more

The Public House - the ceiling of a restaurant - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

Attended a reception for a friend's retirement and the ambiance and service was impeccable. The drinks I had, blood orange sangria, sunny squeeze (my fav! I ordered 2 more), and dreaming in pink were amazing. I highly recommend this place for an after hours drink and food spot! read more

The service was speedy and effortless. Food was presented well with a good variety of choices complimented with a great atmosphere! Highly recommended and good parking read more

The barria smash burger is good but make sure you're hungry. It's a nice portion size. My waitress was courteous and cute. I think her name is Ellie. I would definitely go again. read more

This place is such a nice local bar. I've ordered take out from them before and just recently tried them in person and it was great. The food is beyond phenomenal. We got the pork belly appetizer which was probably my favorite, and the burger with pulled pork on it. So delicious. And all of the staff were really nice. I'd recommend this place for anyone looking for drinks and good food down colley. read more

After a 4 year hiatus, I returned to this gastropub (fancier, more creative pub food) for lunch. Upon entry, we were greeted warmly and guided to a booth in an empty, dimly lit restaurant - pub feeling achieved!! He took our drink orders and left to put in for the spicy fried pickles appetizer before he returned to get entree selections; I opted for a bunless "beyond burger" featuring a roasted beet and root vegetable patty customized with toppings of tomato and white Mac n cheese with a side of sautéed spinach. As a chimichurri fanboy, I requested a sample on the side. Sadly our host/server, Jake, whose name I learned through my own inquiry, failed to deliver despite appearing to write it down. Being the only guests in a restaurant is the dual edged sword of having the whole place to yourself while simultaneously wondering "why?" Exclusivity makes for unapologetic Yelping, yes. BUT, waiting ~20 minutes for a simple app and 35+ min for a burger indicts your kitchen's organizational efficiency. Still, the pickles were a good synergy of warm, crispy batter with a hint of spice surrounding a cool, crunchy pickle; the dipping sauce was also decent. In truth, my burger was beyond my expectations; a warm, moist center with a beautifully charred exterior that exuded a fresh off the grill taste, not to be outdone by the creamy aaldente white Mac n cheese. It's the closest veggie burger option I've had that could pass for beef. I wasn't a fan of the spinach as it was a tad soggy with a slight floral aftertaste. Pass! Although I didn't partake since I was returning to work, the bar appeared well stocked and offered a large menu of adult beverages in both popular and unique craft varieties. Overall, I'd say the service is friendly and prices are average but expect the wait for food to extend beyond the normal 30-60 min lunch break. Of course, the food quality was noticeably better than my previous visit 4 years ago. read more

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My husband and I stopped by for a beer after dinner and couldn't pass up the chocolate pie with the cranberry almond crust. The beer selection was pretty good with local and National beers; a good variety of IPAs, lagers, dark beers and sours. read more

Laid back, service is great the bar tender is friendly and attentive, the hot wings is good and the ambiance is very warm, highly recommended! read more

If you have 2 extra people in your party for trivia, the servers will ignore your group and your food will come out 1 hr and 15 mins after you ordered it. Our server last Tuesday snapped at us when we asked for water. Super inattentive all evening. I know the reservation was for 8, but one of our friends showed up and just sat next to us on the booth and literally ordered nothing all night. Not even water. The other friend who showed up and made the party 10 ppl, I believe she just ordered a drink or two. Only 4 of us ordered food. There was one order of bruschetta (which looked mediocre,) one order of fries, one sandwich with fries and one plate of chicken tenders. Nothing that should take an hour and 15 mins. I feel our party was entirely singled out. If we weren't taking up any more space, I don't understand the issue. The server spoke with the table next to ours (some of them we are friends with,) and they said the server told them he was deliberately ignoring our table cause they were mad we made a reservation for 8 and 10 showed up. Not sure the issue if we're not taking up any extra space though. ‍ I used to really enjoy coming to trivia and I went every week. The whole group has decided not to go back. At one point the server was like, "You guys need anything else?" One of us was like, "Yeah, our food." This was after an hour of waiting with no food updates from the server. It was like he had never put it in. I understand trivia night is super busy, but this was different. Then, he asked us what everyone ordered at the end of the night. "What did you guys have?" Like what? The whole thing was really unprofessional and uncomfortable. Super bad vibes. I am giving this review 2 stars instead of 1 because I do like the food and drinks. Some of it is kinda pricey though, and not exactly worth it for pub food. The atmosphere is pretty chill. Fun Fact: The trivia host causally said "cunt," like it was no big deal. We were like ... he is clearly having a midlife crisis and trying to be cool/I don't give a shit. The line between that and complete asshole is pretty thin. read more

So this spot isn't my favorite in Ghent, and I know I'm one of the few who feel this way. It's just not my "cup of tea." I don't really care for the people who work there- they all seem to be bothered by our presence, which I think very poorly of. This includes the hostesses (when there is one), the bartenders, and the servers. I've legitimately never had good service here at all. I know it's Ghent, but I feel like no other restaurant has such poor service. Their food is good- it's not as different as you would think a "Gastro-Pub" would be, but I usually get the blue collar Mac & cheese with the buffalo chicken on top. It's really good, but the service of this establishment makes me give it two stars. I feel like when I go out, I want to be treated in a nice way, where they are happy I'm there. Instead, I feel like they are annoyed they have to stop doing whatever it is that they were doing before we arrived. I never go here unless everyone else is, then obviously I go with- God forbid I stay at home when the crew is out and about. I guess I should say I never choose to go here, and I always roll my eyes when that's where the crew is meeting up at. read more

This was our local pub when we lived in Ghent, the place we visited most frequently, ourselves and with friends. It is conveniently located on Colley and has an extensive draught list with local and imported brews. They do trivia nights weekly that we would participate in, but it gets really crowded so make sure you're there early to get a seat. Also a fun place to watch sports, depending what/who is playing. I like the vibes of the pub, dimly lit and classically furnished, making for a fairly authentic pub experience. The only reason I won't give it 5 stars is because on multiple occasions of our many visits, we were received with less than great service. Bartenders ignoring us as we stood at the bar for ages, trying not to be rude and yell them over but obviously trying to get their eyes, or being told we couldn't sit at a table if we weren't ordering food when the whole bar and all the high tops were full and there were empty tables without anyone else waiting to be seated at a table for food. Would still go back if we were in the area again, potentially, but definitely a cool place to go if you're a local looking for a dependable watering hole. read more

Came in for brunch, which I have heard is decent here. I ordered the breakfast Mac n cheese which was really good! But the entire meal was ruined by the fact that neither of the two servers or the female bartender were to be seen. There were four or five couples dining. A couple came in to eat, and waited at the front door for 3/4 minutes without any of the staff coming out, and they left. I needed some salt/pepper and had to wait 10 minutes to get their attention (food was in need of some salt, and was cold when I finally received it). It seemed like they spent a minute in the dining area/bar for every 5 minutes in the back (or smoking?) When I wanted my check I went to the bar by the kitchen door and waited about 5 minutes for someone to come, nobody came so I called the restaurants phone number and the bartender came out so I could pay, who said she would get my server....waited and waited...I still left a tip but this was just terrible. Decent food, horrible (HORRIBLE) service. read more

Great customer service, a ton of drink possibilities. Salad was fresh and delicious. Would go to again.

Great musky college atmosphere. Untappd venue (great beer selection, lots of dark beer). Burger, Mac and cheese, grilled cheese, pretzel all great. Big pub menu. Good service read more

The food was excellent and the service was top tier! Tabarak our server was so sweet and did such a great job!

Monday's have 1/2 off Mac and cheese options... How did I not know about this before? Add the in house breaded chicken tenders to the mix, and it is Mecca. I met up with a friend here tonight and for two whiskey indulgers... it is a candy store. It had a laid back feel that was comfortable for two ladies to hang out and catch up. Ask for Aaron at the bar... he makes a great Sazerac from the boozy cocktail list. He was very helpful and so agreeable as we asked for substitutions and/or grilled chicken versus fried chicken. I still feel there has to be more variety on the menu regarding light fare options. If your pub means to truly capture the date night scene, give us something to eat that won't live a years on our hips. The offer.. off the menu... grilled chicken instead of breaded is a good start but some of us wouldn't ask especially on a date not wanting to seem overly picky or demanding. Let me spend my calories on fine spirits instead of a heavy meal which will put me to sleep in a hour. It will cause me to bypass your place for another despite your massive expanse of whisky options. Exclude me or include me to turn me from infrequent to regular. read more

The Public House - Rotating Draft beers are on the wall away from bar, so it requires a walk over from the bar. - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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I'd been waiting to come here for a long time. I showed up at brunch with 20 friends for a Meetup event. We sat at a colmmunal table in a private room in the rear of the restaurant. The room had old school lights that were lit very dimly, it really was a dark feel. There was only one waiter to take care of our party, so I have to say he probably did his best to handle all of us being on separate checks and taking our orders. The one thing I didn't like was that the menu that we were given for brunch was quite a bit smaller than the menu that was posted on the restaurant's website. For instance, we had four appetizers to choose from, but the online menu has eight. I ordered the flat bread breakfast wrap and it was filled with scrambled eggs with a little bit of cheese, bacon, and aioli. The eggs were cooked very well and were seasoned nicely. I was barely able to taste the bacon however, in fact, I opened up the wrap just make sure the bacon was actually included. On the other hand, I had a little bit better time after the meal. I was pretty impressed with their bar and their beer selection. They have a great variety of beers on draft that are both local and from across the country. I definitely would not return for brunch, but if I'm in the area and craving a bite and unique beer, I would consider stopping in again. read more

Visited on Wednesday night for a private event, and was extremely satisfied with the food, drinks and atmosphere. The happy hour drink selections were amazing. I highly recommend this venue for dinner or any special events. read more

I must be all chips in on The Public House. I had not read one review, looked at one pic and had only seen frequent checks from friends on yelp. So when I say that I had no idea what to expect that is exactly what I mean. I had only been to a few of these type of upscale pubs. The phenomenon of Gastropubs hit the U.S. in the 90's, but originated in the UK in the late 20th century. With an emphasis on not only providing food, but elevating pub menus Located on South end of the Ghent Business District on Colley a few blocks East of Fairgrounds you will find the last corner of commercial real estate on the strip. There is a decent lot beside them which is a huge bonus. All other parking is street and FREE! The business is on the ground level of the building and takes up a quarter of the block. There is another business beside it and apartments above. There is a patio off the sidewalk, but exposed to the elements. So on a night in Norfolk hitting mid 30's no one braved the chilly air. I saw no debris at the entrance as I entered. I am guessing the structure dates to at least the 40's, but could be older. When I pulled open the big wooden door I was downright giddy. This is the place I have been looking for, but has eluded me for years. A an upscale pub that had a mix of sophistication, but unpretentious patrons enjoying a good time. Beautiful wood floors (not original) with drop lighting that you would find in an old drug store, a long wooden bar with tons of chrome pulls for tap beer, exposed brick behind the bar, deep Hunter Green painted walls, ceiling with ornate tin work (do not think original). There seemed to be wood every where you look. Wood tables and chairs in the center with comfy booths on the exterior. I avoided the hostess stand and went right for the bar. Since I was there around 6 PM the crowd was not bad, but there was little to no dining room seating. I found a stool and pulled it up beside a couple of attractive females. The whole place seemed to be filled with well dressed, good looking middle aged professionals which suited me fine. The bartender wasted little time in getting my drink order, however I needed a few minutes to look over the 30 some tap beers. The list was impressive, great stuff that you can't find else where. After settling on a New Belguim Chocolate Salted which tasted crazy good I was ready for food. The bar menu is extensive and chock full of unique items. My friend behind the bar made a recommendation of bacon wrapped tater totters... dam, how could I go wrong. I also elected to get a NY Strip Steak & Arugula Salad. I absolutely loved the people watching and enjoyed my conversation with the women at the bar who turned out to be nurses. A few others joined in around and made for a nice, relaxing discussion about what else BEER and my new friend the "Untapped" app. I was not the only one that was new around me, so I do believe this has a mix of regulars, locals and even those from out of town that I encountered. The food arrived within 15 minutes and without a doubt the tatter tots where a smash. As a matter of fact they got a few other orders around me when new friends saw them. The salad with very feeling and the steak was prepared correctly. A sweet dressing comes to the side the was delicious. The bartender kept up on refills of water, clearing plates and had time to chat a bit even though by the time I was preparing to leave at 7:30 they were slammed. He smiled and seemed to really enjoy his job which is refreshing. I made a stop to the restroom and planned on looking around a little more before departing. The facilities had white subway tile on the floor and what else...wood behind the urinals. The floor needed mopping, but no debris on the floor. The trash can was at the brim with paper towels, but not over flowing. What is always disappointing, even more so with a nice place is graffiti that was scratched into the wood. Why do people do this? I really do not get the attraction of it. I looked around and found another room with a single pool table that surprisingly was not being used. Just beyond was the smoking bar. I opened the heavy door that appeared to have a nice seal for sheltering smoke from the dining room. I guess that I took one for the team as I noticed there were no really good shots of this area. It was indeed smokey even with a great ventilation system. The smell of cigar smoke was pungent, but tolerable. I found the decor continued on throughout this area. The bar is much smaller with seating for around ten. Cigars and cigarettes are sold here. There are also a few tables on the floor and two pool tables. A few TV's were in the area too. There is a separate exit outside. I loved everything about this experience. In my opinion this is close to a one of a kind type of bar for Norfolk. You better believe I'll be back! read more

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Haven't had a bad meal yet. The fish tacos are really good and don't sleep on the chocolate pie. The PH mule is always a good go to as well.

If you are just looking for a decent meal at a place that's not too fancy then this is the place for you. The menu is not too advanced. They mainly just have the basics such as sandwiches, burgers, wings, and of course noodle dishes. Their selection of drinks is quite wide though so you can really find something that suits you. The environment is great and very friendly and the employees are very sociable. I would recommend this restaurant for a couple of drinks and a meal. However if your looking for something too fancy keep looking. read more

This place really pissed me off when they somehow "lost" my reservation. Booked it for a big party for over a week only to be denied at the door. My friends and I waited over an hour for a table. This establishment just opened, so I understand things happen, but when the woman I'm talking to on the phone takes time to ask me how to spell my surname, then reads back my reservation to me, the newness of the establishment ceases to be a viable reason for losing a reservation. When we were finally seated the service was decent - our waiter was a nice guy and very personable. The food was excellent and that was supported by a return visit a few months later. I hesitate to give it a higher rating because of that poor first impression, but if I return they can earn back those two stars. JV read more

The place is very comfortable and the decore is nice. 8/10 Food was okay, very classic bar food. I got a house salad with balsamic dressing, tots and blue collar mac and cheese. The mac n cheese felt like it was missing something. 7.5/10 we were seated quickly but time from ordering to food arriving was a bit slow. overall a pleasant experience. read more

Feedback from 12/13/2019 1pm to 3pm 1) Slow service for a holiday lunch party of 20+ people. 2) 1 waitress for the 2 hour period. 3) Had to get my own drink 4) Very limited lunch menu. 5) Straws are like coffee stirs. Lots of our party could not get the waitress attention. Could not pay me to come back to this place. read more

Now this is not my first time at Public House and since I'm a repeat offender I felt they deserved a review! Last time I got the Blue Collar Mac and Cheese which is deliciously yellow and cheesy. This time I opted for the White collar Mac and Cheese which is the bougie of the two but also delicious as well. I paired it with the Chimichurri Steak Bites which were awesome and tender. The sauce was garlicky and flavorful and made a nice combo with my Mac. My buddy got the blue collar Mac and added bacon....excellent choice! Definitely try one or both of the Mac and cheeses and add some love to it....it'll be worth it! We did encounter a cute nosey lady who kept asking us questions at the bar but she was nice and made some food suggestions for us. I also had two cocktails...I highly suggest the "porch pounder" Thank you Public House....we shall meet again. read more

The Public House - Gastropubs Near Me - Norfolk, Virginia

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