We celebrated our mom's birthday at Wood Tavern. The food and drink were delicious and service was great. Five stars. For details, keep reading. Wood Tavern met the criteria for a relatively nice American restaurant in North Oakland. We visited for lunch and wanted to make this special for our mom, so we were perhaps a bit overdressed in business casual, but this is Oakland after all. On an ordinary Thursday, there were multiple groups waiting outside for the restaurant to open at 11:30 AM. That in itself should tell you how popular this place is. My wife and I dined at sister restaurant Southie next door a few years ago and really enjoyed it (I also rated it five stars on Yelp), so I was confident Wood Tavern would not disappoint. I initially booked our reservation using OpenTable to link it to my account and get 100 points. Since the max party size for Wood Tavern on OpenTable is four, I had to call to get it changed to eight. Due to the large party size, the restaurant also required me to give them my credit card info and be subject to a $25 per person no-show fee. Upon arrival, our tables were ready for us in the back corner near the open kitchen. The restaurant is true to its name with a shared bar and dining room space that evoke the feel of a wood tavern. Here's what we had: Wine of the Day * Rosé (100% Zweigelt), Stefan Pratsch, Niederösterreich, Austria, 2024 ($16) "N/A Libations" and other drinks * Cherry Bomb! non-alcoholic cocktail ($13) - Tilden Lacewing, Amarena cherry, lime, ginger beer, tall glass * Shirley Temple ($5) * Diet Coke ($5) * Iced Tea ($4) Soup & Salad * Red & Golden Beet Salad x2 ($16 each, one with fish added for $8) - frisee, castelfranco, pistachios, orange segments, Laura Chenel goat cheese, Cara Cara orange vinaigrette Sandwiches * The Hot Pastrami x2 ($25 each) - Emmentaler cheese, Dijon-horseradish dressing, La Farine baguette Old Reliables * Seafood Stew ($32) - rock cod, Manila clams, PEI mussels, calamari, butter beans, fennel, leeks, chili flakes, garlic toast * Pork Ragu Casarecce ($30) - Castelvetrano olives, Pecorino Romano, Grana Padano, chili flakes, parsley * Tavern Burger with French Fries on Acme Soft Bun with All the Fixins x3 ($25 each, two with cheddar added for $2 each) Everything was excellent. As for what to order, I recommend all of the dishes we got. It really just depends on what you like and/or what you're in the mood for. Everyone loved the food. The beet salad was fresh and flavorful, the pastrami was one of the best I've had anywhere, my mom raved about the seafood stew, my brother-in-law gobbled up all of the casarecce, and the burger was outstanding. Service was polite and speedy. Our server Sophia C was awesome. We split one of the salads and the stew, so they came out plated and served in half portions which was nice of the kitchen staff to do. read more

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Good experience. Good food and very good service and pleasant ambiance. The pork chop was amazing. The ribeye steak was good. The butcher block was mixed. Dessert was very good. read more

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Those who know me, know that I'm not a fancy guy. Which is why I always get the reliable pastrami sandwich at this place. It's good and a solid meal for the price point. The pastrami sandwich comes on a baguette, which I love. It's nice to sharpen my teeth on that crunch. The pastrami itself is made in house, and it's delicious. They cut it fresh. It also comes with a small side of coleslaw. They use a Dijon dressing that is absolutely fantastic. Be sure to ask for extra dressing. read more

This is my second review in a week. We couldn't get enough, so we returned a week later to try the pate and cheese platter, gnocchi and chicken. Five plus stars for the cheese platter, pan roasted chicken (to die for) and Sean our kick butt server! The gnocchi was good, but the bookends (starter and main entree) were the stars of our dinner. This time we had the pleasure of sitting at the Chef's Table and watched Farian work his magic on the stove. Never a dull moment at the WT. Thank you, all. The service and attention to detail is superb! Sean, you ROCK! read more

Still one of the best hamburgers in the Bay Area. Ask for your burger to be served on an ACME baguette. It makes the burger come alive. Cooked to medium rare perfection and served with fresh condiments including home made pickles. Sometimes reservations are hard to come by. But if you saunter in at around 1 pm there usually is room at the bar Ohh and did I mention the fries? Like me, you may dive into them first. Hot, salty, crispy. Perfection. Matt says if you are taking a stroll around College and Claremont, stop by the Wood Tavern for some culinary perfection. read more

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Warm and cozy with a primo spot on College Ave. The staff is nice and attentive and offer great recommendations. Started with the soup which was so good, I think it could have been elevated with a nice sourdough or focaccia. I had the fish which was great, perfectly cooked and seasoned served with a tomatoey sauce and couscous which was a nice touch. God mom had mushroom pasta which was so full of mushroom flavor it was heavenly. Ended with the apple fritter even though I didn't want dessert, but not a crumb was left. God mom brought a bottle so I didn't try any of their wines or cocktails, but hope to next time I'm home. I do wish there were more non meat dishes, but the menu is pretty solid and should have something for everyone. read more

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I've always driven by Wood Tavern and finally got the chance to go for our fifth wedding anniversary. Because you're supposed to celebrate year 5 with the element of wood, what better place to celebrate than at Wood Tavern? The vibe here is warm, inviting, and familiar. You can tell there are many regulars by the happy greetings and friends saying hi to each other at the bar. The staff is super nice and sat us at a sweet tucked away table by the window that also came with a heater. It was nice to people watch while we sipped our drinks and ate. The highlight of our meal were the drinks and the charcuterie items. I got the espresso martini and the manhattan, and both are well balanced & smooth. The charcuterie boards are so fun to eat and I loved that we got to try four different items. The duck breast and burger was cooked to perfection and we even got a little sweet treat at the end of our meal to celebrate our anniversary. Thank you Wood Tavern for making our evening special! read more

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For years this place continues to be amazing! Thank you Wood Tavern! The staff is wonderful! Their food is delicious! And their drinks are perfect. Bartenders that know what they are doing, always! Wonderful use of space in this small, but mighty restaurant! read more

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Came here with friends for lunch and we split the four sandwiches. The fried cod sandwich was the best. The bread on all of the sandwiches were amazing. Loved the flavors in this cod sandwich! The pork belly was flavorful but a bit dry for me. Always love pastrami and this one didn't disappoint! Generous portion of pastrami! And can't go wrong with the burger. The fries were soooo good. Will have to come back more often for lunch! read more

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They were late on our reservation by 20 minutes. Mind you we reserved it for that time and they didn't have it.

I liked it! It's in a nice area of Oakland that I haven't spent time in, I'd like to go back and wander around during the day. The restaurant is modern and fresh. They don't have an extensive menu, I'm sure because they focus on making a few things really well instead of a lot of things. My kid had the prime rib and ate all of it. I had the pork chop and it was delicious. We also enjoyed the gnocchi and brussels sprouts as appetizers. It's really loud in there, that's the only drawback, so if you are looking for an intimate dinner or or with people who are hard of hearing, it may not be the place for you. Our waiter was really nice and even though they were shortstaffed, he went out of his way to make us feel welcomed. I would definitely go back for a nice meal. read more

Anniversary night still. After dinner down the street at Millennium and a one and done drink at Cask (see reviews) we ventured back to Oakland to Wood Tavern a 300 foot walk. We have here been here at least 3 maybe 4 times before for dinners with friends. The food has always been very satisfying. Steaks, pork chops, seafood etc. I recall the rib eye I've had here a few times was awesome. I think my partner did scallops or some other seafood or chicken back then. Veggie/Vegan nonsense sat in the back of the fridge those nights. But tonight it was all about our 12 year  anniversary and to a lessor extent washing out the taste of our recent downer encounter at Cask up the street in Bezerkeley. Back in the day I use to be here all the time since I lived close by and it was a  nice hippie peace kind of place except for a few end the war protest/riots. Back to the review. So tonight it was just drinks at the bar. First time at the bar and service was quick and drinks were great.  And get this, no attitude at all for being dressed nice and wearing a smile, unlike up the road 300 feet in Bezerkeley. Way nice vibe here. Nice staff and clientle. The same people own Southie next door and newly opened up Southie in Alameda in the new Park Station beer hall. It amazes me more and more when people are nice and respectful. Eventhough we try to stay out of Oakland as much as possible we will be back here. read more

This cozy tavern restaurant is a delicious find tucked away in Berkeley. They offer a seasonal menu, but there seems to be a structure or theme to it. So be ready for a delightful surprise everytime you visit. They had some meat / cheese board offering, which I highly recommend. You can pick and choose from the butcher block or cheese board section. We got the Whiskey Laced Chicken Liver Pate, Smoked Duck Breast, Le Braison, and Witherbrook Blue. They also came with biscuits, apples, almonds, pickled veggies, and apricots for pairing. So good and a great table opener. We also got the Grilled Ribeye and Grilled Porkchop. Both were super good and well made. The first bite into the edge piece of the ribeye was so good, slight char crisp brought out the taste. The porkchop was smothered in savory sauce. Both of which were fantastic!! The people here are so amazing. You can tell they want to make you have a special night! From booking the reservation down to wrapping up the meal, they made sure we enjoyed our dinner experience - and we sure did! If you haven't already, get yourself a reservation and have your next celebratory dinner with Wood Tavern. read more

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A beautiful meal and experience. Romantic setting, dinner was dimly lit plus candle light at our table, pleasant

Great vibe and delicious food. Make sure to do a reservation otherwise you will be seated at the bar. The quality was phenomenal. Had lunch. Try the pate read more

Wood Tavern - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

We tried to make reservations, but they said the earliest was 8 PM and it was only 530 so we didn't want to wait. When we got there, there were many open tables, but we decided to still sit at the bar. The restaurant has a nice old school charm. The wine and liquor list is expansive. We both got the pork chops and the bartender warned us it would be a good 35-40 mins so he suggested an appetizer. We got the brussels sprouts and it was so good. It had a unique mix of apple chunks, bacon chunks and apple vinaigrette. The pork chops is a hefty portion so be prepared to be super full or have take home. It was nicely prepared, tender and juicy inside and paired with the sauce with spinach, sausage bits, potato chunks...it was a very delicious meal! The prices were a little expensive but the quality and taste was worth the price. The bartender was friendly and served us very well. Great experience! read more

Wood Tavern - Fried Brussels Sprouts - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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The menu is pretty limited. I tried the Hot Pastrami sandwich. It was too fatty for me. I couldn't finish it. Their bar didn't handle sangrias, so I ordered the spritzer which was made with a pinot. Not bad, but not great either, and not cheap by any stretch. Four of us at lunch had two drinks and 4 entrees and the bill was around $170. That seems pretty steep for a very limited menu and bar. Our waiter was great. Very personable and helpful. He was the highlight of our lunch. We were there mid-week at opening and the restaurant was VERY loud. I found myself yelling into my brother's ear, who was sitting right next to me, so that he could hear me. read more

Wood Tavern - Hot Pastrami Sandwich - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

One of my all time favorite restaurants in Oakland. Been chomping on their food for a long time and like a great wine it gets better. The pastrami sando is my go to with a glass or f Turly zin to wash it down. The salads are seasonal as is the soup. The menu is solid from the fish to pastas. The staff are friendly and the bar staff are just awesome. It always a treat when I find myself here. I don't make it to dessert too often cuz the cheese plate is great to finish your wine with. read more

Wood Tavern - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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The Lamb Chops are back, but I heard it's only for a limited time only. The fixins alone taste great as well read more

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TLDR; reservations are difficult to attain but worth it, delivers excellent all around experience in a subdued but classy and comfortable neighborhood vibe setting FOOD Bohemian Rhapsody Cocktail - 5/5 Saffron Risotto - 5/5 Pan Seared Maple Leaf Duck Breast - 5/5 Nebbiolo - 5/5 SERVICE Impeccable. Server heard that my wife didn't want spicy and went above and beyond to modify dishes to her liking (even more than she asked) AMBIANCE Low key but totally classy Its been a while since I've reviewed but sometimes an experience compels it. This restaurant is already well known and lauded but heck with it, I'm adding my voice. The Saffron Risotto was uniquely saucy, almost soupy and had non-traditional ingredients (Piquillo and Padron Peppers)...and it was the best risotto I've had in a long time. While eating the duck breast, I was reminded of a time decades ago at a fancy ristorante in Milan Italy where I had one of my first duck breast dishes, this one with a cherry glaze. It opened my eyes to the glories of good duck but sadly I've had many since and always thought to myself, "not as good, perhaps I'm not actually a duck person". This one reminded me that a good duck is a really good dish and when done impeccably well, I am indeed a duck person. This was actually my second time here, we came last week but got the mid afternoon nosh menu. Although it was excellent, the dinner menu is on another level. Find a way to get yourself there for dinner. read more

Service was fantastic! Food was delicious! It was me and my friends first time we wanted to try something new and we came across this place. Pricey but worth the price to me ! I give it a 10/10 across the board for me read more

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I have been wanting to try this place for a few months and its so hard to grab reservation. I was finally able to after trying for a few months. The food in this place was good but the service was so bad at some point I felt like it was a torture. The place was kind of empty not too many table were full but the waiter just would be gone for long and wouldn't come ask if we needed anything. The wait between meals like appetizer and main course was so long not because of kitchen but the server was just gone for long at a stretch. I had to ask him to come and same with after our meal was finished he never came to ask if we needed dessert, The waiter on other table saw us a few times and he finally came and gave us a menu. I really wanted to try a dessert but was scared this will again take us another hour to even get the server to come and get our order. On top of really slow service there was an older man who sat in the table next to us and kept talking to us looking at our food. He literally was asking me if you support trump do you like him. He kept telling us how he knew the owner and his wife and has come to this place for 100 times over years and everything is free for him here. This was all ok but I wasn't sure why he wasn't letting us eat our meal in peace. At some point he became a little racist as well, when we tried to take our food goto he told us i won't take this goto. I never take this goto. And then was like ohh you are from India and it felt so uncomfortable. He was like do you watch fox, I watch fox. Then was like I have cable, I don't try to save money. Do you have cable.. omg never ending interrogation and also kept looking at our food and table and what we were eating and kept commenting on that. I understand this restaurant might have some old and familiar guest or important people come to this place but they should understand other guest should still be able to enjoy there meal without being bothered by the people who are known. It was one of my worse restaurant experiences, the service and on top of this man who somehow is VIP guest at this place made it so hard for us to have our date night meal in peace. I literally tried to run away from this place. This was almost 2 hrs long ordeal. We came a little before 6 and left at 8 and I never eat for that long. I'll NEVER go to this place again even though I loved the food. read more

The best kept secret in Berkeley. Awesome people, fantastic food and delicious cocktails. That mid afternoon Nosh Menu is the tip... Don't tell anyone... shhhh read more

I enjoy the vibe of the restaurant. Service has also been good. However, I've had a problem twice with the pan roasted half chicken. So salty. My friends tasted it my last time there and agreed it was inedible. I've now pointed this out to the manager but I'm not optimistic they'll make it less salty. The other dishes have been good though the asparagus sandwich lacks any flavor or imagination. read more

Had a marvelous time celebrating my birthday at Wood Tavern. It's bustling in there, but the service and the quality of the food made it very special. I don't drink alcohol so I had a bit of a pout when I didn't see any mocktails on the drinks menu. Asking the server, he verbally listed off some very interesting options, and I asked for something citrusy, bubbly, not too sweet. It came to the table gorgeous with a little pansy flower in it, and was perfect for my tastes. Started with a seasonal salad of stone fruit, hazelnut and arugula, quite good! We had the ribeye steak mains. Amazing crunchy sear. Savory but not too salty. Although the horseradish potato side was a bit much on its own, it made for the perfect bite with the steak. Smoky seared asparagus alongside. Ample serving size that left me enough for two more meals at home. I begged off of ordering dessert because I had a gigantic homebaked chocolate cake waiting for me at home. The server kindly presented me with some free sorbet with a candle, calling it a palette cleanser. Somehow in researching affordable steak meals I happened upon a very old menu image that had the steak at around $35, so I'm providing a legible set of images of the current June 2025 menu for you. Also, I don't go to fancy meals often enough and I was unsettled when the busser took my leftovers and didn't bring them back boxed until we got the check. I'll know for next time. Outside of special occasions, I'd love to return for appetizers and mocktails or dessert and coffee on a weekday. I'm grateful for my experience at Wood Tavern. read more

Wood Tavern - Menu - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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Been coming to Wood Tavern for over 15 years and it never disappoints. Small restaurant with full bar and decent wine list. Rustic elevated feel with a small menu including cheese and charcuterie. This time around we had the liver pate which is more like a mousse along with two cheeses and accoutrements. The arugula and frisée salad and the Pork Chop. Everything was delicious and the service is attentive. Will always try to come here whenever we're in the East Bay. read more

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Wood Tavern has not lost its touch after all these years. I had the most delicious birthday dinner celebration. Everything we ate was outstanding! I highly recommend ordering the Saffron Risotto, Ribeye Steak, Grilled Double Cut Pork Chops, Pan Roasted Half Chicken, Semolina Crusted Alaskan Halibut, and their hamburger. I tried everyone's meal and each entree was flavorful and satisfying. Our server was very accommodating and helped everyone select the best entrée. She also knew the wine list very well and could help us pair the perfect wine for our meals. The only downfall I would say is that it was very cold inside the restaurant. They have front windows that open as doors and they left them open and so it was very breezy and two of my guests and myself were quite cold. I asked if they could close the window and they said they will ask the manager but doubt they will accommodate us and close the windows. So bundle up if you go during fall or winter. read more

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Five stars for food. Service is still painfully slow. Our server was really kind and friendly it's just a long time to get your food in front of you. read more

Wood Tavern was an overall solid experience. Both my friend and I had the ribeye dinner. Both steaks were deliciously tender, flavorful and cooked to medium perfection. His was with a variation of au gratin layered with leeks and potatoes. Mine was with a variation of broccoli rabe. The broccoli rabe was too bitter for my taste, but the service we received made that detail less relevant. The restaurant space itself was dimly let without being dark. This created a warm atmosphere without it being too dark. The sound level was moderate to high, which made it somewhat challenging to hear conversation. We didn't have a reservation on a busy night, but the waiting staff was still able to seat us within 25 minutes. It was worth the wait! read more

Great food and service. Love the bar also. Unbelievable hamburgers and manhattans. Little noisy

Finally had lunch at Wood tavern, dont know why it took me so long. Everything was absolutely DIVINE!!! Loved everything about it! Service was great, our server was Giovanni( hope i got it rt?) and of course Wes the Bartender made some TASTY and beautiful Cocktails. We even got to meet the owner and he was very friendly! Definitely coming back! Thank you for a Wonderful Lunch experience read more

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All I can say is WOW!! Back in June & July my brother was in the hospital for just over a month and towards the end of his stay he started having a craving for rib eye steak. I looked online to see if there was any restaurants nearby that carried it. There were a couple but they were either closed until evening time, closed for the day, or too far away. Then I saw Wood Tavern carried it and they were only 10 minutes away with all the stop lights. I called up and spoke to Jose. He answered all my questions and concerns. He mentioned that if I tell him to have it ready at a certain time he will make sure it is done. After our conversation I said i would call back. I proceeded to tell my brother what they had, what came with the meal, etc. He said it sounded good and to order it for him, and to make sure the rib eye was cooked medium rare. I called back and asked for Jose, and asked when he could have it done. Since he knew my brother was in the hospital he said 10 minutes which was just about the time it took me to get there. Parking is street parking, and I was lucky enough to get parking in front of the restaurant. It's not overly huge but you can tell it's popular because every table was packed and they had people waiting for tables to open up. The ambiance was phenomenal and the aroma - OMG!! All the food aroma smelled so good there! And yes I got all this from just standing by the door waiting for my to-go order to be brought to me. I seriously wanted to eat everything in the box while driving it back to the hospital but I refrained. When my brother took a bite of the medium rare rib eye you could tell he was in Heaven. He said it was the best thing he ever ate. He even took a bite of the assorted beans (they were green beans and yellow waxed beans) as well as the horseradish mashed potatoes. Then he wanted me to try everything. Now I'm not one to order and eat medium rare meat, I prefer to have my red meat cooked to more of a medium to medium well but let me tell you, this medium rare rib eye melted in my mouth. It was seasoned perfectly as well the beans and horseradish mashed potatoes. It was all cooked to perfection. This is definitely a restaurant I would recommend if you are in Oakland. I'm hoping to visit this restaurant and be able to dine inside rather than do take out but either way they are delicious!! read more

During lunch hours- Walk- in - no reservations. They said wait about 25-30 min. We go ahead take a waiting. 2 min later, they call us :). Space is limit but comfortable. Foods. We order hot pastrami and wild arugula salad. O M G. They are delicious. The waiters are wonderful to explain to us about food in details on our plates. read more

Walked in during lunchtime and got a table for two almost right away. The restaurant was bustling and boisterous. Had a really nice, joyful vibe. Staff had their hands full, but were friendly, attentive, and professional. We ordered the pastrami sandwich, liver pate, and pear and parsnip soup. All items were tasty. Would love to have dinner here one of these days but it seems like reservations are difficult to make unless far in advance. I hadn't expected that for a more casual restaurant. read more

Wood Tavern - Hot Pastrami Sandwich - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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The ribeye I ordered was just okay (I don't think it's worth the price). The service on the other hand, was great! The waiter kept checking on our table often. I also enjoyed my espresso martini! read more

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Had a great dinner here with parents . Service was great and the food was amazing. The pork chop was so delicious! The seafood stew was flavorful with a kick! The scallops were seared perfectly. We will definitely be back! read more

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Too loud! I recommended Wood Tavern to my friends so we could chat over drinks and a good dinner. We couldn't hear each other. Wood Tavern, you even added to the cacophony of voices with a faint tinkling of piped-in music. What's the point of going out? Why not attach some inexpensive sound-dampening materials to walls and ceiling? Commenting on the food seems pointless. We will not return until we can enjoy simple conversation. read more

Wood Tavern never disappoints! Such a quintessential Bay Area spot. I got the seafood stew and it was delicious- a bit spicer than I was expecting (which I loved) and SO much flavor! My hubby got the pork chop, which was cooked to perfection and also packed with flavor. Great service, staff is always so friendly! We are forever returning!! read more

Wood Tavern - Seafood Stew, Grilled Double Cut Pork Chop - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

Great atmosphere - the leak in the ceiling. A nice little spot to hang out and have drinks with a light brunch or dinner. Good for meeting up with friends. read more

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Easy to reserve! We ordered the cheese plate all cheeses. triple cream was amazing. the bureaus crostini was heaven with the melon. we had the steak veggies and mashed potatoes. mashed potatoes and green beans amazing. the steak could of been a little less cooked. Our favorite was the blackout chocolate cake with the crema was a huge highlight!! and it was our sons birthday so they lit a candle. overall i'd recommend read more

Wood Tavern - appetizers were amazing - New American Near Me - Oakland, California

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