Les Halles in NYC during the July 4th FAP

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In AIM chat today Anthony Bourdain's restaurant Les Halles came up. I was planning on going there when I was in NY for the July 4th FAP anyway and JBR and Ned jumped in (and JBR mentioned that Matos wanted to go too).

Anyway, this the thread for that. Here's the web site for Les Halles.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 9 June 2003 20:11 (twenty-two years ago)

And another picture of my dessert from the last time I was there...

http://www.quartzcity.net/~chris/ilx/leshalles-apple.jpg

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 9 June 2003 20:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Count me in for this.

― Carey (Carey), Monday, 9 June 2003 20:21 (twenty-two years ago)

thre's 2 - one midtown, one downtown - not sure if either is better but you may get a chance to spot mr bourdain at the midtown locale

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Monday, 9 June 2003 20:44 (twenty-two years ago)

The midtown one is the one I've been to. It's also amazingly close to a subway stop, so it's pretty convenient for folks.

We will need to get a head count of this for reservations as well as well as settle on the day (perhaps lunch on Thursday the 3rd?)

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 9 June 2003 22:57 (twenty-two years ago)

The chocolate banana cake...

http://www.quartzcity.net/~chris/ilx/leshalles-chocolatebanana.jpg

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 9 June 2003 23:34 (twenty-two years ago)

And the pork tenderloin. Yes that is a whole clove of garlic sticking out of the mashed potatoes.

http://www.quartzcity.net/~chris/ilx/leshalles-porktenderloin.jpg

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Monday, 9 June 2003 23:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Ack, not lunch on the 3rd, please. I'm not due to arrive in NYC until 5 pm that day.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 00:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Saturday the 5th then? Just trying to avoid any weekend activity...

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 00:45 (twenty-two years ago)

tricky. I don't think I'll be there in time for lunch on the 3rd either.
What's the dress code?

― Millar (Millar), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 00:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Downtown is sure to be less crowded than midtown. I walked past an hour ago (it's on the way to the subway) and there was no one there (though it's packed at lunch on weekdays). But they have an annual Bastille Day festival that this year has been turned into a "Freedom Festival" (or some such) from the 4th to the 14th, so maybe things will be extra-busy downtown.

Do you want to go here because it's Bourdain's restaurant or some other reason? New York isn't lacking in competent french bistros without celebrity chefs, some of which have comparable prices and better food (from what I've read; I've never been).

Dress code - Pith helmets are de rigeur. Beyond the shirt and shoes factor (and, oh yes, pants), you can wear whatever you want.

Maybe I'll come to this if I'm in town.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 01:05 (twenty-two years ago)

That does it. My finances preclude a transatlantic jaunt to Les Halles, much as I adore Bourdain. In retaliation I propose a euro ILE jaunt to Ferran Adria's (allegedly) marvellous El Bulli. Ah bollocks to it, I'm going anyway.

― Matt (Matt), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 01:32 (twenty-two years ago)

I work 2 blocks from the downtown Les Halles and it's lots of fun to wander the streets down there at night or on the weekends, when nobody's working and everything's just kind of still. It's all lurching buildings and tiny cobblestone alleyways and curious twists in the streets. And a serious lack of pedestrian activity. Maybe all financial districts are like this? Anyway I really like it. After the extreme activity of the day it goes really quiet and sleepy, sort of like some parts of Chinatown.

Midtown blows.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 05:12 (twenty-two years ago)

The cassoulet is meant to be very good.

― Ed (dali), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 06:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I vote El Bulli too.

― Paul Eater (eater), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

It ain't "Bourdain's restaurant," not at all. He doesn't own it, never did, and now that he's a big teevee star, you sure as heck ain't gonna find him cooking there.

It's a decent place, but there are a lot of bistro-type spots that are just as good and better.

― Marcel Post (Marcel Post), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 15:14 (twenty-two years ago)

And to be really picky, while Midtown blows, Les Halles is not in Midtown.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

what do you call that area, felicity?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 17:36 (twenty-two years ago)

The taint!

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 17:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Take your pick, but 'taint Midtown.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 18:39 (twenty-two years ago)

"Midtown South Central: Location. The northern boundary of Midtown South Central is East 42nd Street and the southern boundary is East 24th Street. Park Avenue and Sixth Avenue form the eastern and western boundaries. Midtown South Central is home to the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, and Madison Square Park."

*leans back, smugly*

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 18:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Tracer, we had this conversation when we were at Tabla, upon which you AGREED that that was not "really" Midtown!!

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 18:55 (twenty-two years ago)

that was 1 entire block away!!! it's a crucial block!!

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, don't try to wiggle your way out now, girlfriend.

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:06 (twenty-two years ago)

oh Ally, 28th and Park is a VASTLY different world from 27th and Madison, it's got that essential soul-suckingness shared by all midtown locales. The building that Tabla is in, on the other hand, has got such character that in the extremely short-lived Wall St series "The Street" it was used as a stand-in for the same downtown buildings I wax about above. So THERE.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Exactly, Les Halles is in Midtown South Central, a subsection of Midsouth South, which is an area adjacent to Midtown.

Unless you call where I live Midtown, which would be great news for me because then I could go home for lunch.

I said this was picky.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:17 (twenty-two years ago)

I didn't hear you waxing ecstatic about Tabla while we were there, you know. Then you decided that area was called Whatever-Park-District for being in the vicinity of a park. I thought it was a charming name to make up for Midtown South, much like how I adore it when the tourist board calls Hell's Kitchen "Clinton" for no apparent reason.

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah I liked that too, but calling that area "Madison Square" is confusing, since they moved Madison Square Garden to 33rd and 8th.

My question is, why is this web site giving Manhattan neighborhoods totally made-up appellations in the first place?

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Les Halles is on the east side of Park Avenue so it's technically Kip's Bay, if you want to get maxi-picky.

What I like about that (dated) neighborhood site is 1. No "NoLiTa" and 2. Lower East Side an "ethnic" neighborhood. What ethnicity, I wonder?

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

White, obviously.

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

No, redneck.

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

HANG ON, this website claims there is a neighborhood called "NO HO". This is the most arbitrary thing ever. Also: "Civic Center"? I'm going to make up a name for my block. It is no longer Upper West Side. It is now called "Tony Danza".

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:44 (twenty-two years ago)

WAIT! They already have made up a name for my block. It is "Lincoln Square". FUCK. I'm naming the next block Tony Danza, goddamnit.

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:45 (twenty-two years ago)

You didn't know about NoHo? That's a real area. But Civic Center???

My block = DeYancey.

― Yanc3y (ystrickler), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Otis made that exact same joke on Friday night, what is the matter with the two of ou? That's not funny at all.

NoHo is a real area in the way that "Clinton" is a separate area from "Hell's Kitchen".

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Ally, you live in UpStairStarBuckUpWide, which is "Upstairs from a Starbucks on the Upper West Side."

NoHo has been around for a while. What the East Village needs is NoNo (North of NoHo).

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Eventually we can call the Les Halles neighborhood "NoNoNoNo" or something.

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 19:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Destiny's Child to thread!

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 20:12 (twenty-two years ago)

PLEASE TELL ME YOU GUYS DON'T TALK LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME!!!

― Bryan (Bryan), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 22:03 (twenty-two years ago)

PLEASE TELL ME YOU GUYS DO TALK LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME!!!!

I love the weird turn this thread took.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 22:13 (twenty-two years ago)

"Where do you play soccer?"
"In a gym in Tony Danza."

― felicity (felicity), Tuesday, 10 June 2003 22:37 (twenty-two years ago)

I be living in Bills Bills Bills.

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

I live in Jeterville.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 00:38 (twenty-two years ago)

I live on 24th and Park but I fear I won't be able to make this

― M Matos (M Matos), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 02:50 (twenty-two years ago)

Me neither, Michelangelo, i just like to be tendentious.

― Tracer Hand (tracerhand), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 03:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, none of us are making this, let's be honest here. With any luck, I'll be in Rockapulco, getting skin cancer on the beach.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 03:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Rockapulco is a great name for a bar.

Recipe for Skin Cancer on the Beach:

- 1 oz Vodka
- 1/2 oz Diet Peach Snapple
- 1 dash Diet Coke
- cell phone

Directions/Comments: Measure one ounce of Vodka and a half ounce of Peach Snapple. Pour this into a glass over ice. Fill the rest with Diet Coke. Then get on your cell phone and yack all day in the sun in your bikini with no sunscreen. Serve with Olestra chips.

― felicity (felicity), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 21:05 (twenty-two years ago)

And make sure you wear a diaper.

― Bryan (Bryan), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 21:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I love all threads that I don't open for ages as I think "it'll be all NYC-centric" or whatever and then I realise that loads of people are reading it so I might just see if it's derailed, and it has, and then it turns out to be a great thread...

This will be one of those.

― ailsa (ailsa), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 21:12 (twenty-two years ago)

I haven't read that many posts on this thread, but if you folks are planning an outing at the Les Halles on Park Avenue South, may I suggest you MAKE A RESERVATION FIRST! It gets big crowded.

There's on appetizer that blows my socks right off, involving cheese, bacon, potoatoes.....I can't remember when the hell they call it, but it rocks like the hammer of mighty Thor.

Anthony Bourdain's new book, "The Bobby Gold Stories" is kinda weak, by the way.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Skipping 9 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

Well, FWIW I'm going to go to Les Halles anyway (i'm going to be in NYC for awhile), but I'm always willing to check out new places anyway.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 21:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Gray's Papaya is right by my house! It's great! Then you can go and buy overpriced margaritas down the street at Citrus with the money you saved. They might be overpriced but damn, the mango ones are fantastic!

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 22:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Does anyone actually drink cappuccino?

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 22:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Only us nouveau riche cunts.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 22:11 (twenty-two years ago)

I mean people always go on about how they hate weak coffee and then they order something that's basically a tiny little shot of espresso in a big glass of milk. I don't get it.

― Jody Beth Rosen (Jody Beth Rosen), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 22:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I am all for eating anywhere that is tasty. I am not above food or acting like dining out does not make feel all pink and buttery.

― Carey (Carey), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 23:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Gray's Papaya is right by my house!

Well, there are three, if I'm not mistaken. One on the West side in the low 70's, one on the Upper upper West side (like, 106th or something) and a third one right near me on W.8th Street (purportedly Lou Reed's favorite all time "restaurant" in NYC). Then, of course, there's Papaya King on 86th & Third Avenue (where it all started).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 11 June 2003 23:23 (twenty-two years ago)

The Mike's Papaya that was on 110th and Broadway has been razed to make room for more Columbia.

― Paul Eater (eater), Thursday, 12 June 2003 02:55 (twenty-two years ago)

But, Alex, that still doesn't stop the fact that Gray's Papaya is right by my house! I've never eaten there though. The idea of a "crunchy, juicy hot dog" frightens me.

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 12 June 2003 02:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Gray's anything like Papaya King? I've seen PK namechecked in just about every NYC food show ever and always wondered if did stand up to the hype.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 12 June 2003 04:34 (twenty-two years ago)

"It ain't "Bourdain's restaurant," not at all. He doesn't own it, never did, and now that he's a big teevee star, you sure as heck ain't gonna find him cooking there."

He's still chef/exec chef od both places, but I'll agree with you, knowing how he feels about weekend bridge and tunnel eating crowd you are unlikely to find him in charge of the kitchen on the weekend. However the food will still be his and very good it will be too. HE's no Gordon Ramsey or Ferran Adria, by his own admission but he is good.

― Ed (dali), Thursday, 12 June 2003 07:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Is Gray's anything like Papaya King? I've seen PK namechecked in just about every NYC food show ever and always wondered if did stand up to the hype.

I believe Gray's split from Papaya King originally (I actually met Papaya King's general manager at a party about a month ago...gave me his card and everything....I tried to wrangle a t-shirt out of it, but no dice). In any event, they're hot dogs.....a hot dog is a hot dog is a hot dog. Kosher or not, you probably don't want to know what goes into them. If you like'em, sure go check it out. Be warned: the Papaya WILL smell like a fresh cup of vomit.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 12 June 2003 14:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, sign me up.

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 12 June 2003 15:33 (twenty-two years ago)

So is there any consensus on Les Halles or no? I've just booked my hotel for the July 4th weekend, and await further information.

And Alex is OTM about the Indian food back at that Firewater gathering -- anonymous but good, and of course they were eager to accomodate a group of 12-14 people.

― j.lu (j.lu), Thursday, 12 June 2003 20:02 (twenty-two years ago)

indeedy....

http://www.easyandquick.com/fire/pictures/circus/1.jpg

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 12 June 2003 21:04 (twenty-two years ago)

So far the consensus is that there is no consensus. I am definitely going at some point - maybe Sunday for lunch if no other ILX plans step on it.

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 12 June 2003 21:48 (twenty-two years ago)

And then you're shipping me the care package, right?

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 05:42 (twenty-two years ago)

So what's the half-life on cassoulet these days?

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 18:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Alex, are you making that face in your wedding photos too?! Because I've almost never seen a photo when you AREN'T making that face!

― Ally (mlescaut), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Just drop it into a package of dry ice and have someone put it into a hand-carried cooler marked with "body parts for donation" on the side - your delivery person will breeze through all of the security, I'm certain.

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Tuesday, 17 June 2003 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Nah, I'm reasonably well-behaved in the wedding photos....an expression of gobsmacked stupefication was the order of the day.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 18 June 2003 13:44 (twenty-two years ago)

That's totally the face I should've made in my cousin's wedding photos, now that I think about it. To avenge the HAIR THAT ATE THE SOUTH SHORE. That'd be a great wedding photo if you did make that face.

― Ally (mlescaut), Wednesday, 18 June 2003 15:31 (twenty-two years ago)

IIf Les Halles is still on, Chris knows I'm coming along, already (after a good-natured threat;>)

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Wednesday, 18 June 2003 20:50 (twenty-two years ago)

But how is Les Halles pronounced? French stylee of American?

― Mary (Mary), Wednesday, 18 June 2003 20:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I hope the latter, as then we may all legitimately les up.

― Colin Meeder (Mert), Wednesday, 18 June 2003 21:00 (twenty-two years ago)

Pronounced: "Lay Haal"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 19 June 2003 13:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, but that sounds so foofy.

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 19 June 2003 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

(le) Sanp!

― felicity (felicity), Thursday, 19 June 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh man, I love the feeling of coffee coming up my nasal passages while trying to prevent myself from laughing out loud. It wakes ya up in the mornin'!

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 19 June 2003 14:41 (twenty-two years ago)

surely you would pronounce the s in les as the next word starts with a vowel sound?

ie. lays al

― chris (chris), Thursday, 19 June 2003 15:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Chris is correct. Or so says I.

― Sarah McLUsky (coco), Thursday, 19 June 2003 15:29 (twenty-two years ago)

He very well might be, but I thought you softened the consenant sounds when the subject was deemed female. (Is "halle" female? I'm guessing so by the appeneded "e"). Eight years of French down the proverbial toilet.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 19 June 2003 17:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Makes me feel better about my 3 lost years, then.

― Nichole Graham (Nichole Graham), Thursday, 19 June 2003 18:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I've seen some French movies and I know more French than you people! It's shameful!

― Ally (mlescaut), Thursday, 19 June 2003 19:13 (twenty-two years ago)

To: "JT" , "Ask A Linguist"
Subject: RE: french pronunciation
From: "Robert A. Papen"
Date: Fri, 6 Dec 2002 10:28:36 -0500
Delivered-To: ask-ling@linguistlist.org
Importance: Normal
In-Reply-To: <20021206033025.10741.qmail@linguistlist.org>

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi,
Yes, the plural "s" of Les Halles is silent...as are all plural "s"'s in
French. Moreover, the "h" of les Halles is also not pronounced (as it would
be in English). So the closest pronunciation would be something like "lay
Al".
Hope this helps!

-----Message d'origine-----
De : Ask a Linguist [mailto:ASK-LING@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG]De la
part de Ask A Linguist
Envoyîk 5 dï€mbre, 2002 22:30
: ASK-LING@LISTSERV.LINGUISTLIST.ORG
Objet : french pronunciation

From: JT

Pls - how do Parisians pronounce Les Halles? Is the 's' silent?

― felicity (felicity), Thursday, 19 June 2003 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

So I was kinda right.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 19 June 2003 22:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Un petit peu.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 19 June 2003 22:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Just watch "A Cook's Tour" - Bourdain mentions the restaurant name every once in a whole - can't vouch for its pronounciation being correct, though.

― I'm Passing Open Windows (Ms Laura), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:30 (twenty-two years ago)

LAY AL!!!!

― Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:33 (twenty-two years ago)

That was my battle cry as a single man (although I can't stand being called "Al", generally).

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Was that actually a successful line?

I get called Al all the time. My dad seems to think that's my name.

― Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:41 (twenty-two years ago)

It was more a mantra than a "line" per se. I never had a "line" that worked with any semblance of success.

A precious, elite coterie of individuals are permitted to refer to me as "Al" to my others. Others who attempt it risk becoming recipients of what MC Serch might've considered a "gas face".

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:52 (twenty-two years ago)

hahaha....to my face, not my others.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 20 June 2003 00:53 (twenty-two years ago)

See, here I was, totally accepting the concept that you had minions who were not allowed to hear you be referred to as "Al", my image is totally shot now.

― Ally (mlescaut), Friday, 20 June 2003 01:30 (twenty-two years ago)

yup, my French = out the window too! I just asked our resident French person and she confirmed lay al!! She also explained why but I couldn't follow it.

Oh dear, I'm going to France next week, I'm looking forward to a week of being sneered at for my pooor linguistics.

― chris (chris), Friday, 20 June 2003 07:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Reviving, since I'm going to be making the reservations for this...

In AIM I threw out late Sunday afternoon (July 6th) for this. So far, it's me, Ned, JBR, Nichole, Carey (?), J.Lu (?), and...

Roll call please!

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 26 June 2003 01:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Ned is leaving early on the 6th (look Ned I am speaking for you). As long as it's not a brunchy type of thing I am 60% going ( I might have apartmenty stuff to do). Though, Kitchen Confidential warns Sundays are the worst days to eat at restaurants because they are trying to get rid of all the leftover food.

― Carey (Carey), Thursday, 26 June 2003 02:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Ned is leaving early on the 6th (look Ned I am speaking for you)

It's true, unfortunately. It will have to be for another time! I depart JFK early that morning.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 26 June 2003 02:04 (twenty-two years ago)

*looks*

Ack! Ned is leaving the morning on the 6th!

4th or 5th anyone?

― Chris Barrus (Chris Barrus), Thursday, 26 June 2003 02:07 (twenty-two years ago)

If it's just too much worry, please just make it the sixth! I don't want to hold up a plan like that (especially since the fifth is already looking booked for other things re: JBR's food tour). IF -- I repeat if -- the 4th isn't a problem for everyone, great, but otherwise make it the sixth!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Thursday, 26 June 2003 02:13 (twenty-two years ago)

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