(212) 929-4844

9 9th Ave (Little West 12th)
New York, NY 10014 40.7399 -74.0062

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Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown

www.pastisny.com

Years in business

Established in 1999

Hours:

Mon-Wed 8am-1am

Thu 8am-2am

Fri 8am-2:30am

Sat 10am-2:30am

Sun 10am-1am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Local Favorite, Late Night Dining, Celeb Hangout, Brunch, Outdoor Dining, People Watching, Dine At The Bar, Bar Scene

General Info:

Open 7 Days

Cuisine:

French

What People Are Saying About Pastis

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The space, fit with imported giant urinals, zinc-topped bar, large antique mirrors, mosaic floor tiles and mahogany trim, looks like it's been around forever. And like all McNally hot spots, it crackles with energy, particularly from the groups who gather to share a bite in the bar. Despite the enduring scene, the restaurant plays host to a surprising number of families. An ideal meal here starts with lusty, cheese-encrusted onion soup or a salad of frisee and bacon capped with a soft-poached egg. It moves on to one of the city's best salads nicoise, the dependable steak frites--served with…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Pastis delivers weekdays from 12am-11pm and weekends from 6pm-11pm.
Know Before You Go:
Reservations can be booked up to 30 days in advance.
ambiance
92.55999565124512% positive
  1. After having a terrible experience at the Rainbow Grill the night before, my husband and I really enjoyed the relaxed and "unstuffy" ambiance of Pastis.
  2. I've been to Pastis a couple of times now and food is pretty good and it's deff a fun place to visit during the spring & summer times to people watch.
  3. the ambience is electric and i've always had great service.
  4. Besides that, I loved the atmosphere, the location and the waitress, when she got to us, was friendly and knowledgeable of the food.
  5. great atmosphere
  6. it is generally a noisey place and I do not believe anyone goes there for a romantic dinner.
  7. It has great atmosphere.
  8. The ambience is great, and everyone goes there for the social scene.
  9. Pastis is a fun place if you want a scene and bistro food that is fairly decent.
  10. The atmosphere was nice, though not really very romantic if that's what you're going for.
  11. Great location,nice outdoor cafe and friendly staff.
  12. This is a truly wonderful and fun place, although you do have to speak a little loudly as the decibels, as in all McNally restaurants, can reach epic proportions.
  13. ... from the beautiful decor, friendly and informative staff to the wonderful food and energetic vibe
  14. Great food (steak tartare), A-list celebrities, descent wines, cool restrooms, perfect location, rude waitress(but very hot!)
  15. Great service and atmosphere, at reasonable price.
  16. The atmosphere was crowded but it was a great bistro-type vibe.
  17. The decor is very cool, very French Bistro-y.
  18. This is definitely not a restaurant to choose if you want a romantic dinner.
  19. The drinks were expensive, but the people watching and ambiance was fantastic!
  20. The atmosphere is like Balthazar, great bistro food.
  21. mean, it's a fun scene and the food is decent.
  22. Great food and fun
  23. Great atmosphere!
  24. Luring an attractive crowd with the occasional celebrity, this casual version of McNally's Balthazar restaurant has a feel good decor and a wonderful sidewalk cafe that's prefect for summer.
  25. The food and service are always on point and the bar scene at night is also fun and energetic.
  26. really loved the atmosphere.
  27. Great atmosphere
  28. didn't complain, I liked the atmosphere so much.
  29. great atmosphere and service!
  30. loved the look of this place - Parisian cafe mixed with a New York atmosphere.
dessert
100.0% positive
  1. Desserts were great, though the menus was remarkable similar to that of French Roast and the warm choclate cake not as good.
  2. Also, on Saturdays and Sundays McNally imports a wonderful Panier basket filled with cakes and sweet breads from dowtown Balthazar and which are available until 4:00 PM.
drinks
88.61000061035156% positive
  1. The bar scene is great!
  2. He (and the excellent brunch, especially the frisee salad and the eggs benedict) is the reason why we head to Pastis on Sundays and sit at the bar.
  3. the food was good, the wine nice.
  4. Good coffee, average service, bland eggs florentine and great home fries.
  5. Any of the standard brunch drinks (mimosas, bellinis) are good and the bread products are always fresh.
  6. Overpriced wine served in a juice cup.
  7. The food and service are always on point and the bar scene at night is also fun and energetic.
  8. and i like the wine in table glasses - it's meant to be casual.
  9. Went to dinner with friends, food was good, but the waitress was snippy, gave several exasperated sighs, kept pushing us to order more wine - on a sunday night - and now I realize that she added an eztra 20% to my debit charge.
  10. My wife and I were entertaining visitors, another couple, with their first visit to Pastis - and we had a dreadful time, seated at one of the tables near the bar, among the rudest of young-ish to middle-aged New Yorkers (you know the kind!)
  11. The drinks are also excellent.
  12. The brunch drinks are always fabulous, as well.
  13. Whether going for drinks or steak frites, which is excellent, you can always rely on Pastis to be an entertaining time.
  14. The hostess was friendly and the drinks perfectly fine.
  15. Even the glass of wine was great (the sancerre).
  16. Last night I had a simply wonderful meal (steak taratare and then a whole roasted fish) plus wonderful wines and digestifs.
  17. In addition it has a great bar scene with great house cocktails.
  18. The service is decent at times but on my last visit trying to flag anyone down for more drinks was nearl.
  19. Great food (steak tartare), A-list celebrities, descent wines, cool restrooms, perfect location, rude waitress(but very hot!)
  20. Food and drinks are always good.
  21. The food at the best is mediocre,the house wines are bad,cappuccino awful.
  22. The wait staff is friendly though they look overworked, the wine (vouvray) by the bottle is fabulous.
  23. The drinks were expensive, but the people watching and ambiance was fantastic!
  24. Palatable food, good company, & solid drinks always make me happy.
food quality
83.71999740600586% positive
  1. It was a sad end to an expensive, but otherwise decent meal.
  2. The french toast and Steak Frites both were very tasty.
  3. have been to other restaurants in the city that were much higher in price, and the food was horrible.
  4. The atmosphere is like Balthazar, great bistro food.
  5. Pastis is a lousy distant relative of these too with slack nasty service, poor food, and a loud trashy OLDER crowd comprised of surgically enhanced ladies from New Jersey and the seedier parts of Paris.
  6. The food was delicious and the Chopin maritins were less than most restaurants.
  7. Great food great service
  8. If you want to celebrity spot in a relaxed environment with delicious food, Pastis is the place to go.
  9. think they have the best onion soup in the city though and the steak sandwich was YUMMY !
  10. Whether going for drinks or steak frites, which is excellent, you can always rely on Pastis to be an entertaining time.
  11. I've lived in NYC for 3 years now, and am a huge fan and regular at Balthazar and Schillers, where both food and service is outstanding.
  12. The food was fantastic-- potatos that needed no katsup; perfectly scrambled eggs that melted in my mouth.
  13. the meat packing distric is cool, blahblah.
  14. tres yummy!
  15. People looking to enjoy French style comfort food might be very disappointed.
  16. Always beautiful people ready to dine and enjoy a delicious brunch!
  17. was looking forward to having a great meal here
  18. Great, great prices for the quality and portions of food.
  19. the omelet and onion soup very delicious.
  20. The fries are yummy.
  21. mean the fries were good, but not like amazing.
  22. pastis used to be my favorite hangout place on long shopping days in meatpacking, but recently i've been very dissappointed at their declining service and food!
  23. Any of the standard brunch drinks (mimosas, bellinis) are good and the bread products are always fresh.
  24. My trout was tasty, but I preferred the food at Balthazar.
  25. Everything from the tasty peasant bread, the refreshing Gazpacho, the Steak Frite, Halibut and amazing Beefsteak Tartatare(which had no anchovies.
  26. heard people rave about the fries here, but i thought BK had better fries.
  27. The french fries were cold and too greassy.
  28. One time there you could get a great meal.
  29. its great for people watching, but thye food is below average and far too expensive.
  30. Absolutely hands-down the best food you can get delivered to your apartment in 20 minutes.
  31. Their mait're d is gorgeous, and puts you in a marvelous mood the minute he seats you, but oooooh, it's all about the steak frites with the delicious bearnaise!
  32. Atmosphere and the food are great.
  33. Great food (steak tartare), A-list celebrities, descent wines, cool restrooms, perfect location, rude waitress(but very hot!)
  34. the food was good, the wine nice.
  35. The french fries were the best I have had in my life, and the steak was delicious as well.
  36. The food was delicious.
  37. Pastis is perfect to go to late at night for terrific food and a cool scene.
  38. We had the AMAZING french onion soup (best thing there) and a couple sandwhiches with chicken, avocado & mango curry, plus the fries are great!
  39. The food is excellent even if the service is a bit hurried.
  40. Well, the food is real lame.
  41. Most importantly, the food is delicious.
  42. Palatable food, good company, & solid drinks always make me happy.
  43. The food was delicious, and our waiter was very informative.
  44. The steak tartare is right on, the frites are always crisp, the sandwiches and bistro fare satisfying.
  45. But, the food was very good.
  46. The staff is nice, and the setting authentic - you can forget it's the meatpacking district and pretend you're in paris.
  47. On my first visit, the steak was a little overcooked but the bearnaise sauce was perfect.
  48. The food was fair, but the service was super slow.
  49. Last night I had a simply wonderful meal (steak taratare and then a whole roasted fish) plus wonderful wines and digestifs.
  50. mean, it's a fun scene and the food is decent.
  51. Great food, great service, and great value.
  52. Good coffee, average service, bland eggs florentine and great home fries.
  53. He (and the excellent brunch, especially the frisee salad and the eggs benedict) is the reason why we head to Pastis on Sundays and sit at the bar.
  54. had a very nice meal at Pastis.
  55. Classic dishes, great service - you can't go wrong
  56. the food was amazing!
  57. was a expecting a nightmare hotspot with poor food and crappy service.
  58. The menu was impressive with selections ranging from a burger, to steak, to escargot.
  59. The food was really not very good.
  60. Overall, the food is not that great (brunch is pricey, weekday breakfast is decent).
  61. Anyways, I would definately recommend Pastis for the food, service and overall experience.
  62. Hands down, without a doubt, Pastis has the best french fries in Manhattan.
  63. Besides that, I loved the atmosphere, the location and the waitress, when she got to us, was friendly and knowledgeable of the food.
  64. Good food, but abusive on the wallet.
  65. The food was great (I had the madame,my husband had a burger).
  66. ... from the beautiful decor, friendly and informative staff to the wonderful food and energetic vibe
  67. Always enjoy the food at Pastis.
  68. mediocre casual food, a bit overrated
  69. In addition to having the best fries in the city, Keith McNally's Pastis is one of the most pleasant environments to have a meal.
  70. Overpriced somewhat mediocre food.
  71. Go for the beautiful waitstaff and stay for the food!
  72. Great food and fun
  73. I've been to Pastis a couple of times now and food is pretty good and it's deff a fun place to visit during the spring & summer times to people watch.
  74. hers was quite decent with the meat being cooked at a proper medium rare.
  75. It's great to go somewhere with a friendly vibe, tasty food and not feel unwelcome as a parent.
  76. it was the worst steak frites i ever had.
  77. You're not going to find the most experimental food here, but for terrific french food and gracious service, no matter how busy, you can't go wrong with this standby.
  78. The onion soup and croque monsier/madame were great.
  79. Best fries in New York, hands down.
  80. Great food, good vibe, I'll be back there no doubt about it.
  81. was expecting outstanding food.
  82. Good food -- the Irish oatmeal is a great way to kick off a warm spring morning, especially after a long night out.
  83. The french onion soup is awesome, as well as the french fries.
  84. Went to dinner with friends, food was good, but the waitress was snippy, gave several exasperated sighs, kept pushing us to order more wine - on a sunday night - and now I realize that she added an eztra 20% to my debit charge.
  85. If your food isn't any good why are you in business.
  86. The pasta was definitely very good.
  87. Space is charming if a bit tight but the great food and attentive service make up for it.
  88. And I cant wait for the winter so I can endulge in the warm Octupus white bean salad!
  89. The food was fantastic as was the scene.
  90. dont like the steak frite.
  91. The steak frites are great, as are some of the seafood specials.
  92. The food ranges from 20-30 per dish, but there are some affordable dishes too.
  93. was pleasantly surprised to find the food excellent and the staff friendly and accommodating.
  94. I'd like enjoy my meal and not have to worry about being after the waitress
  95. highly redommend it to anyone who loves true French bistro style food.
  96. The food at the best is mediocre,the house wines are bad,cappuccino awful.
  97. The food was good, the waiter was OK, but the seating was ridiculous.
  98. Pastis is a fun place if you want a scene and bistro food that is fairly decent.
  99. It's also bright, busy, has friendly servers, and just hits the spot when you're hungry and need some good food to tide you over.
  100. Can't miss steak frites and truly wonderful, fresh salads.
  101. The food was really good, I had the onion soup and it was one of the best ever.
  102. It came with fresh fruit on the side.
  103. Of course, that might just mean that I don't like French food all that much.
  104. have been here many times and the food is always good to very good.
  105. the staff were attentive without intrusive and the food was WONDERFUL!
  106. Very good authentic french
  107. Wonderful food, great bread.
  108. Good food - Bad service
  109. The food and service are always on point and the bar scene at night is also fun and energetic.
  110. bad service decent food
  111. After you're done, just walk around the block to let the food settle while you shop at some very good stores.
  112. Good food, little value
menu variety
66.66999816894531% positive
  1. Desserts were great, though the menus was remarkable similar to that of French Roast and the warm choclate cake not as good.
  2. The menu was impressive with selections ranging from a burger, to steak, to escargot.
  3. Not a good menu, but hey, can't have everything.
overall
100.0% positive
  1. After you're done, just walk around the block to let the food settle while you shop at some very good stores.
  2. I've been to Pastis a couple of times now and food is pretty good and it's deff a fun place to visit during the spring & summer times to people watch.
  3. took my best friend there for her birthday and besides an unusually enjoyable 15 minute wait (we were so engaged in coversation with other patrons it was almost sad to sit) the place was perfect.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. good restaurant where we'll go back.
  2. Great food, good vibe, I'll be back there no doubt about it.
service
80.12999534606934% positive
  1. Great food, great service, and great value.
  2. heard people rave about the fries here, but i thought BK had better fries.
  3. The waiter we had was awesome.
  4. It is busy and loud and crowded, but, hey, can you blame people for wanting to get into this excellent place?
  5. This is definitely a place that provides the best experience, though, to both A-listers and people walking in off the street.
  6. The food was good, the waiter was OK, but the seating was ridiculous.
  7. bad service.
  8. The food and service are always on point and the bar scene at night is also fun and energetic.
  9. great crowd for people watching.
  10. The waitress was not as friendly as I would have liked, and the kitchen was a bit slow, but the service itself was impeccable.
  11. The food is excellent even if the service is a bit hurried.
  12. Even the elderly people looked really nice and polished.
  13. Pastis is a lousy distant relative of these too with slack nasty service, poor food, and a loud trashy OLDER crowd comprised of surgically enhanced ladies from New Jersey and the seedier parts of Paris.
  14. horrible service---cant be overstated.
  15. plus, the service was awful!
  16. Our waitress was nice and not snooty (unlike the RBG).
  17. I'd like enjoy my meal and not have to worry about being after the waitress
  18. Classic dishes, great service - you can't go wrong
  19. was pleasantly surprised to find the food excellent and the staff friendly and accommodating.
  20. breakfast and lunch during the week offer the best service--and usually no fighting the crowds.
  21. It was a little crowded but from the hostess to the waitress the service was great.
  22. Always beautiful people ready to dine and enjoy a delicious brunch!
  23. Buehl, the weekend bartender, is great.
  24. wonderful bistro that doesn't disappoint, but be prepared to deal with a crush of people that can sometimes be overwhelming and affect your good time.
  25. The service is excellent, though.
  26. It's also bright, busy, has friendly servers, and just hits the spot when you're hungry and need some good food to tide you over.
  27. Space is charming if a bit tight but the great food and attentive service make up for it.
  28. The place wasn't stuffy in the least bit, and service was quite fast.
  29. Great vibe, lots of people.
  30. The waiter was nice once he got to us, it took about 5 minutes to get a glass of water and someone to get us started even though it was very slow.
  31. don't think the French are this rude
  32. experienced hands down the worst service I have had in my entire life at Pastis last week.
  33. The food was fair, but the service was super slow.
  34. they were pretentious and the waiter was too cool to be helpful.
  35. Bitchy servers with no manners crying about their long shift as an excuse for bad service.
  36. The hostess was friendly and the drinks perfectly fine.
  37. Great service and atmosphere, at reasonable price.
  38. Service was prompt and friendly and made for a very nice start to the evening.
  39. The staff is nice, and the setting authentic - you can forget it's the meatpacking district and pretend you're in paris.
  40. ... from the beautiful decor, friendly and informative staff to the wonderful food and energetic vibe
  41. pastis used to be my favorite hangout place on long shopping days in meatpacking, but recently i've been very dissappointed at their declining service and food!
  42. Great setting, lovely staff.
  43. Besides that, I loved the atmosphere, the location and the waitress, when she got to us, was friendly and knowledgeable of the food.
  44. Good food - Bad service
  45. The service was slow, the waiter never cam eto check on us and trying to get his attention was quite a feat.
  46. And I wasn't pleased with the extremely slow service.
  47. bad service decent food
  48. The drinks were expensive, but the people watching and ambiance was fantastic!
  49. great atmosphere and service!
  50. Waitstaff was attentive, but not pushy.
  51. And our server was polite, helpful and not a bit snoby (as you might expect at this type of spot).
  52. Great location,nice outdoor cafe and friendly staff.
  53. Our server was very polite and accommodating.
  54. Went to dinner with friends, food was good, but the waitress was snippy, gave several exasperated sighs, kept pushing us to order more wine - on a sunday night - and now I realize that she added an eztra 20% to my debit charge.
  55. Great food great service
  56. the ambience is electric and i've always had great service.
  57. don't need to feel like I'm doing the bartender a favor by leaning over the service area as he rolls his eyes so I can order a cocktail.
  58. Anyways, I would definately recommend Pastis for the food, service and overall experience.
  59. Good coffee, average service, bland eggs florentine and great home fries.
  60. the staff were attentive without intrusive and the food was WONDERFUL!
  61. Great food (steak tartare), A-list celebrities, descent wines, cool restrooms, perfect location, rude waitress(but very hot!)
  62. I've been a fan of Pastis for years & it never fails to succeed in producing wonderfully friendly, knowledgeable servers (I miss Evan!)
  63. The employees are nice though, lol.
  64. I've been to Pastis a couple of times now and food is pretty good and it's deff a fun place to visit during the spring & summer times to people watch.
  65. enjoyed Pastis because it's not posh, but warm & welcoming & friendly!
  66. Our waitress was also very nice and attentive.
  67. You're not going to find the most experimental food here, but for terrific french food and gracious service, no matter how busy, you can't go wrong with this standby.
  68. It's great to go somewhere with a friendly vibe, tasty food and not feel unwelcome as a parent.
  69. Service is friendly.
  70. The service is decent at times but on my last visit trying to flag anyone down for more drinks was nearl.
  71. was a expecting a nightmare hotspot with poor food and crappy service.
  72. I've lived in NYC for 3 years now, and am a huge fan and regular at Balthazar and Schillers, where both food and service is outstanding.
  73. The wait staff is friendly though they look overworked, the wine (vouvray) by the bottle is fabulous.
  74. its great for people watching, but thye food is below average and far too expensive.
  75. The food was delicious, and our waiter was very informative.
value
67.70999908447266% positive
  1. Overall, the food is not that great (brunch is pricey, weekday breakfast is decent).
  2. Great food, great service, and great value.
  3. I've lived in NYC for 3 years now, and am a huge fan and regular at Balthazar and Schillers, where both food and service is outstanding.
  4. Dont bother, it isnt worth your time or money.
  5. Total price $60 ($50 +$10 tip) and we didn't order alcohol just 2 iced teas.
  6. Pastis is a perfect, charming neighborhood French bistro with affordable bistro fare.
  7. Great service and atmosphere, at reasonable price.
  8. its great for people watching, but thye food is below average and far too expensive.
  9. The food ranges from 20-30 per dish, but there are some affordable dishes too.
  10. have been to other restaurants in the city that were much higher in price, and the food was horrible.
  11. The bouillabaisse sucked and for the price go see balthazar!
  12. It was a sad end to an expensive, but otherwise decent meal.
  13. Great, great prices for the quality and portions of food.
  14. The drinks were expensive, but the people watching and ambiance was fantastic!
  15. The prices are good---for new york city.
  16. Good food, little value
wait time
52.779998779296875% positive
  1. The waitress was not as friendly as I would have liked, and the kitchen was a bit slow, but the service itself was impeccable.
  2. Service was excellent, and our request to sit outdoors on the first nice day of the season was honored within 15 minutes of our reservation time.
  3. The food was fair, but the service was super slow.
  4. took my best friend there for her birthday and besides an unusually enjoyable 15 minute wait (we were so engaged in coversation with other patrons it was almost sad to sit) the place was perfect.
  5. Absolutely hands-down the best food you can get delivered to your apartment in 20 minutes.
  6. pastis used to be my favorite hangout place on long shopping days in meatpacking, but recently i've been very dissappointed at their declining service and food!
  7. Their mait're d is gorgeous, and puts you in a marvelous mood the minute he seats you, but oooooh, it's all about the steak frites with the delicious bearnaise!
  8. And I wasn't pleased with the extremely slow service.
  9. The waiter was nice once he got to us, it took about 5 minutes to get a glass of water and someone to get us started even though it was very slow.
  10. Bitchy servers with no manners crying about their long shift as an excuse for bad service.
  11. Good food -- the Irish oatmeal is a great way to kick off a warm spring morning, especially after a long night out.
  12. The service was slow, the waiter never cam eto check on us and trying to get his attention was quite a feat.
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/24/11

Always a great meal, vibe

by LilacBouquet at Citysearch

I've been going to Pastis since it opened ... always a great meal and vibe here. The fries are the best in the city.

The only thing that's not great about this place is that there's no room at the bar and it gets uncomfortably crowded with no seating.

Other than that the place is great!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/05/11

Missed Connection at this place!!! Help!!

by MikefromPhilly at Citysearch

I need your help!!!!!!I was in Manhattan, New York with my daughter on September 2nd. we had dinner at Pastis in the Meat packing District. My daughter and I met the sweetest young man named Michael. Michael was with two friends and he was around 30 years old. Michael is from Philadelphia, has lived Boston and now lives in the upper East side of Manhattan.

My daughter thought he was worth trying...... to find and she is VERY hard to impress!! As a mom I dont want for this chance meeting to be the end either!! If you are Michael OR you know the Michael I am speaking of PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE respond!!

My daughter's name begins with an "E" and if you are Michael you may place her name in the subject line of the email response.

Thanks and if anyone can help me please let me know!!!

4 Star Rating: Recommended

04/17/11

Brunch and French Fare In Mnhattan NYC

by SoCal60 at Citysearch

Okay, you want a fun place to have brunch in the city. This is it -and you can park on the street that is worth more than the meal. Want to think you are in a French Cafe' this is a great spot. Ramos Fizz Oh Ya Baby, Pink Lady you bet. A must go to....

3 Star Rating: Average

02/07/11

Good but not great

by YvetteR at Citysearch

Went as walk in for brunch. Place was packed as usual but that is expected. We were seated right away in the front "walk in " room. It was freezing everytime the doors opened. Okay now about the food. Love the goodie bread pastry basket. The french toast was nothing spectacular but tasty. My friends had eggs & loved them. The croque madame looked a bit messy for me.

Decent but one goes more for the show than the food.

3 Star Rating: Average

06/19/10

love it

by mac2010 at Citysearch

The most beautiful crowd around

The Details on Pastis

Place Categories:

  • great french style comfort food
  • great clumsy service
  • great place
  • bad service
  • great atmosphere
  • mediocre casual food
  • favorite pastis
  • great meal
  • memorable nice dinner
  • friendly wait staff
  • worst steak frites
  • like more wine
  • great charming neighborhood french bistro
  • helpful server
  • great home fries
  • always thoroughly enjoyed whole experience
  • great bar scene
  • good restaurant
  • beautiful elderly people
  • great french onion soup
  • bad experience
  • nice waiter
  • great location
  • very nice waitress
  • always fabulous brunch drinks

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