The Luminary - Permanently Closed

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1. DC

   DavidC

   Atlanta Metro

   7 reviews

   2.0

   7 reviews

   Dined on March 25, 2017

   overall2food3service1ambience3

   We learned when we arrived that they were closing in a week. They seemed to be short on staff (as many tables were open despite a waiting list). Once we got water and menus, our waiter was hard to find. No water refills, didn't remember we had asked for an extra plate, drinks taking forever to be delivered (wine barely made it before dinner arrived). We learned 10 minutes after our dinners were ordered that one of the 4 offered entrees was no longer available. Frustrating that he didn't know earlier (and that the restaurant didn't plan to have food to last past 8 PM on a Saturday night). All in all a disappointing dinner.
   

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2. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   8 reviews

   vip
   2.0

   8 reviews

   Dined on March 24, 2017

   overall2food1service4ambience4

   Restaurant is about to close, but wanted a last rose slushie hurrah. They claimed they did not have the ingredients for the slushies (disappointing). I was served completely undercooked fish, after waiting 30-40 minutes for the entree. They graciously took it back, but this is still completely unacceptable. Have had good meals here in the past, but they have obviously given up.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Atlanta Metro

   9 reviews

   5.0

   9 reviews

   Dined on March 24, 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Delicious food and great service. So sad to see this place leave the neighborhood!
   

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4. AS

   AmandaS

   Atlanta Metro

   52 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   52 reviews

   Dined on March 18, 2017

   overall5food5service4ambience4

   It's nice because the menu changes periodically so there's always new offerings​, the cocktails are delicious, decent beer list.
   

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5. CC

   ChuckofChaine

   Atlanta Metro

   6 reviews

   5.0

   6 reviews

   Dined on March 15, 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Wonderful restaurant! Great Service! Just too bad they are closing at the end of the month. They will be missed!!
   

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6. M

   Midtownfoodie

   Atlanta Metro

   83 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   83 reviews

   Dined on March 14, 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience5

   Nice restaurant great service , too bad restaurant is closing at the end of the month
   

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7. LG

   LoveGoodFood

   Atlanta Metro

   12 reviews

   vip
   5.0

   12 reviews

   Dined on March 14, 2017

   overall5food5service5ambience4

   Great food. Our kids (ages 10 and 11) enjoyed it too.
   

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8. KF

   KindaFoodie

   Atlanta Metro

   19 reviews

   3.0

   19 reviews

   Dined on March 12, 2017

   overall3food3service2ambience4

   This restaurant left us scratching our heads. Lovely room. Patient, earnest, personable but poorly trained server -- it was not his fault. The restaurant substituted items without notice; e.g., a cosmo cocktail that looked like lemonade -- no cranberry juice, so the bartender substituted lemon juice and acted offended when asked what is this drink. Same thing happened with an item on the food menu. When asked to identify an unidentifiable slice of grilled something, his reply was not credible. We asked him to check with the kitchen. He returned and confirmed his prior answer. We said no way this is onion -- onion has layers. Sent him back again, and the answer was celery root. The online menu is not updated, so there was only one entree choice we wanted. Three stars because the steak was great. Everything else was passable. We only eat dessert once a week, but we left half of this one on the plate. Cake was dry. Hint to the chefs: when you are fawning over your fellow visiting chefs, parading out dish after dish with breathless anticipation of their reaction, in a nearly empty restaurant you might acknowledge the presence of paying guests with a brief "hello, how is everything?"
   

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9. g

   gm60

   Atlanta Metro

   30 reviews

   4.0

   30 reviews

   Dined on March 5, 2017

   overall4food5service5ambience4

   We had the hangar steak, trout and the pork. We each enjoyed our meals- really delicious! Great wait staff as well.
   

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10. KH

    KeithH

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 5, 2017

    overall3food3service4ambience3

    No one will probably read this, but oh well... Service was very good, food was good. With that being said there were a few irritating issue, just a few... lol. We had a 1:45 brunch reservation, not that we needed one. There was no one there. When we got there things seemed to start off on a negative note. We were told we could not sit outside because they were smoking some food item( green egg, blah, blah) something on patio.It was disappointing because it was like 68-70 outside, nice day. We said what a shame, but oh well we dealt with it. We sat in a nice booth and we said all is good with a cocktail. Well... We were told right away that they could not make special cocktails because the bartender was not there.( by the way a manager should be knowledgeable in mixing special drinks) Ok...We will order wine and simple cocktails. We were catching up with friends, chatting, laughing, but kept feeling hurried to order. So we finally ordered a cheese plate to start and said ok we gotta hurry and decide on a main course. The cheese plate was good but ran out of the "House Special Crackers" my friend politely asked for some more...what happened next was laughable! The server came back with saltines! We asked where are the other crackers? He politely said they take count or inventory on the crackers! Really? Instead of saying something in the beginning that wanting more crackers would be extra, or maybe that wasn't an option. Who knows??? We got our food and it was good, service was over all good. Then this happened...we were told it was last call and if we wanted any more wine or cocktails we better order. What?!?! Are we at a bar??? Ok... we had a reservation for brunch 1:45, we were a little late( 2:00) if you are that adamant about everything shutting down at 3:00, then DON't take reservation at 1:45! And expect your guests to have a nice relaxing experience. Disappointing.
    

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11. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2017

    overall2food2service4ambience4

    The food was really quite mediocre - the foie Gras appetizer was too sweet. Entrees were decent but the dessert was inedible. It was as if they forgot to add any sugar - it was very strange.
    

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12. RA

    RobertA

    Chicago

    5 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2017

    overall4food5service3ambience4

    Dinner was good but service was slow
    

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13. B

    Bevy

    Philadelphia

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    We love the Luminary and are happy that it's in our neighborhood!
    

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14. R

    Rico

    New England

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 24, 2017

    overall2food1service3ambience5

    Took girlfriend here for her b-day. She loves oysters and we live on the beltline so it was a no-brainer. The oysters were good and the outdoor seating was lovely. Unfortunately that was about all I can muster that was positive. Tried ordering the poutine--they were out. GF's frose was melted before it reached the table (not sure it ever was frozen tbh it just looked like red wine?). Took nearly two hours for our entrees to come out. GF's pork tasted like it had been sitting under a heatlamp for an hour and my medium-rare steak was basically uncooked. First time I've ever had to send food back at a restaurant :/ Hostess did a great job handling the situation, comping us a round of drinks and bringing out a small charcuterie board, which was appreciated, but overall a disappointment.
    

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15. P

    Philosoraptor

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 21, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The staff was very friendly and attentive, and the food was extremely rich and flavorful. We're excited to come back, especially for those oysters!
    

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16. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    The food here is always fantastic and surprising in the best way. More people should be eating here. One of the best restaurants in Atlanta. And the cocktails and wine are great too.
    

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17. ES

    EricS

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 19, 2017

    overall1food2service2ambience3

    The staff was making excuses from the beginning after being told we were VIP's from the Hostess when seated (she really did try to console the worsening situation many times.) Really slammed & understaffed with the bar area full & 2 - 3 tables in the dining room. 20+ min to get first drink. Another 20+ min for 2 dz. oysters (2-3 people opening - Chef did send out a cheese plate to our table - oysters were good.) Nice gesture if all fell into place but the Foie Gras course had a "RAW" pancake. Sent it to back & was never replaced. Chicken dish was nice but the Mussels ordered were overcooked to the point of being inedible. Left before dessert - used a Groupon. I've been in the restaurant biz for 40+ years & have had only a couple of experiences that rivaled this one here! Sad..........
    

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18. M

    Michael

    Charleston

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 18, 2017

    overall1food2service3ambience3

    Went to restaurant as a result of a Groupon. Our server was good, knowledgeable and very friendly. That was the good part. My entree was bad and a different entree was substituted. My initial entree was too salty and inedible. The substituted pasta consisted of 4 tiny pieces of ravioli that would not have satiated a gold fish. Spouse's entree did not contain pasta otherwise represented on the menu. Individual glasses of wine were expensive. Overall, I would not recommend this restaurant.
    

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19. F

    Firsttimer

    Tallahassee

    27 reviews

    3.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on February 17, 2017

    overall3food3service3ambience3

    We went for brunch and had the Dutch baby pancake w persimmon and the mushroom breakfast sandwich. Asked to share but the chef didn't spit anything. The Americano was delicious but nothing else was over a 5 on a scale of 1-10. The pancake was more like French toast; the honey wasn't local (something they say they pay attention to and laughably bragged about their cocoa nibs being from across the way/from a market store). The sandwich was dominated by the mustard choice and amount. The waitress refilled our water overt time our glass went below 3/4 full. Makes it hard to take a sip! We won't be back.
    

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20. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    102 reviews

    4.0

    102 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    Great restaurant in Old Forth Ward , really good food and service, great atmosphere , wonderful people , outstanding experience . Oh yeah , the food was very tasty !
    

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21. PW

    PalateWins

    Atlanta Metro

    29 reviews

    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on February 14, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    A beautiful setting for a special occasion and the food will satisfy any palate. We celebrated Valentines Day and enjoyed the fixed menu. Our server, Jeremiah, was extremely attentive but not over bearing. We enjoyed his knowledge about the menu and how he engaged in conversation with us. The Luminary is definitely a gem!
    

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22. C

    Chaz

    Atlanta Metro

    44 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    44 reviews

    Dined on February 12, 2017

    overall1food5service1ambience3

    I have dined at The Luminary many times and returned to treat my date to an early Valentine's Day brunch, sadly we left before taking our first sip of the mango mimosas. The travails which lead to our early departure are as follows. After promptly greeting us our waiter (I can neither spell nor pronounce his name) returned to the bar where he seemed to be engage in a lengthy discussion with another member of the staff. There were only a handful of patrons in the restaurant so I can't explain why I needed to flag down another staff member to get our waiter to return an take our order. Strike 1. Our food order was slightly off script but should not have been a problem for any restaurant worth its salt. My date asked for a simple side salad which was listed on the menu as an accompaniment to an entree and some seared foie gras which was priced as a $7 add on to a $12 pancake she didn't want. I asked the waiter that if possible to please serve the foie gras with some toast points but if that was not possible then to serve it alone. He spoke with the chef and was told the best he could offer was an english muffin. Ok, fine I guess but what restaurant can't serve a piece of toast for brunch? This one apparently! Strike 2. The coup de gras occurred when our waiter returned to inform us that the price for the $7 foie gras would be $18 because there was no way to serve/charge for anything less than the foie gras and pancake combo. I was gobsmacked. I have worked in restaurants and taken many orders for items much more complicated for my date's. Perhaps he is only capable of entering orders by number, e.g. combo #3, in which case he chose the wrong employer and I chose the wrong restaurant. I told our waiter we would not be dining there unless he could make it right and he apologized but didn't even have the decency to send a manager over to speak with me. I did share our experience with the hostess and others but no manager even had the courage to apologize.
    

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23. G

    Gentry

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 11, 2017

    overall1food1service3ambience3

    Ambiance was good and wait staff was good, BUT the food was bland if not bad. Also waited really long for our main course -- when it came two plates were ice cold and two were piping hot. All this points to serious issues with the kitchen. The Kale Ceasar was straight shredded Kale -- dressing was sparse and no other remnants of a classic ceasar (croutons, anchovies, etc). I had the sea bass -- nice preparation in the parchment, but the fish was overcooked and just "bland". I hope these guys get the kitchen issues solved.
    

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24. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Philadelphia

    13 reviews

    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2017

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    With all the great dining options in ATL this fell short. Service was excellent but menu was limited and oysters were horrible. Fishy and the vinegar dip was tasteless. Hubby didn't like his pork although my fish was good. Ambiance cool bc In Krog's market. Overpriced and We won't return. Superica which is also in Krog's market is excellent however!
    

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25. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    9 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2017

    overall3food4service3ambience4

    I really enjoyed my meal and would even say it's a good value IF the service was on point. I felt like the restaurant missed on a couple key service points and had absolutely no service recovery. First, my medium rare steak came out cold (i.e. the butter on top wasn't melting at all). The server even acknowledge it looked cold; however, when I sent it back they recooked it, handing me a med-well steak that was then warm/melting the butter. A restaurant with great service would have sent me a fresh medium rare steak. There were also no apologies or offering a side or drink while my table had their food and I waited. Then again at the end, our happy hour oysters weren't rung up as half priced, so we had to push back on our check. This was adjusted but it still points to the lack of attention and you'll be just another diner to them. My fiance did enjoy the oysters on happy hour and had probably the largest oyster I've ever seen. He thought they delicious and would go back for that!
    

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26. KY

    KennethY

    Atlanta Metro

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    This restaurant provided great service and food. The entire wait staff were very attentive, never letting a water glass go empty. Our personal server was very attentive without being intrusive. The meal was wonderful. We had mussels that were some of the best I've ever had. The fish of the day was fresh and well prepared. The ribeye was delicious and definitely worth the upgrade. We will definitely return.
    

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27. CM

    CarrieM

    Atlanta Metro

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 7, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    This was my second visit to The Luminary. Half priced oysters started our meal. The food is french with a bit of Italian (pasta) thrown in for good measure. The broths are delicious and perfect for chilly winter nights. The wine list is great and the desserts are to die for. Great for happy hour, casual dinner, or a special occasion. The last time we were here was our anniversary and we were very well taken care of. Staff is friendly and very accommodating.
    

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28. KH

    KeithH

    Atlanta Metro

    4 reviews

    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2017

    overall1food1service1ambience1

    Well... Where do I begin?!?! I can't really give a review or any comment for that matter. I made a reservation for Sunday brunch for Sunday Feb 5th. I made this reservation on Tuesday January 31st. We were meeting friends there. We arrived to find out the restaurant was closed! ( I know it's Super Bowl Sunday!) but come on...not all of us care! No note or any notification on door?!? I received a confirmation from open table for my reservation, assuming we were good to go! Someone REALLY DROPPED THE BALL on this one, my football reference. Lol... Anyway....an acknowledgement or apology from either Open Table or The Luminary would be the least they could do!
    

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29. LR

    LRLR

    Washington DC

    4 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2017

    overall1food3service1ambience1

    We made a brunch reservation for noon that was confirmed. The restaurant wasn't open and we received no notification. Obviously, you think we ate there, be we couldn't. Several other people had the same experience. Don't know if the problem is Open Table or the restaurant.
    

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30. j

    jhbdt

    Atlanta Metro

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience4

    Excellent food. A little expensive, but very tasty. They have happy hour for oysters, but we don't like those. However, a lot of people were there for that special.
    

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31. DZ

    DaveZ

    Atlanta Metro

    13 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on February 3, 2017

    overall3food3service5ambience4

    Food was decent but not great - cioppino broth was cold, and the red snapper dish was bland. Portion size was very small, especially for the price. The one bright spot was the terrific service, however the kitchen was extremely slow when we were there. Overall I wouldn't recommend this one.
    

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32. F

    Foodlover

    Atlanta Metro

    35 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    35 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2017

    overall1food1service2ambience5

    This was a date night for my husband and me, courtesy of Groupon. It was HORRIBLE! They have lots of kinks to work out. The only reason this place will last longer than necessary is because of its location in Krog Street Market. The menu is limited. They can't seem to find the balance between no seasoning and too salty. We got the arancini and octopus app to share, which was so incredibly small in portion that it was laughable. The arancini lacked salt and seasoning and the octopus was salty. And the entrees...well, I got the chicken, which is a huge portion of half a chicken. I cut into the chicken and it was bleeding! They took it back and brought me a salad, which was only lettuce. Bottom line - don't waste your time. There are other restaurants that should get your money.
    

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33. m

    mssl

    Atlanta Metro

    5 reviews

    vip
    2.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2017

    overall2food2service4ambience4

    We ordered 1 appetizer, 2 entrees, dessert and cocktails. The drinks were good. The food was fair. I expected a lot more for the price of meal. The cioppino was extremely fishy tasting. My husband and I went to celebrate my birthday, which we noted in the reservation, and there was no mention of my birthday from anyone at the restaurant. I would at least expect a "Happy Birthday" at this type of restaurant. Service was good otherwise. The food quality was poor enough that we will not be returning.
    

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34. MT

    MarissaTootsie

    Atlanta Metro

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 27, 2017

    overall4food3service5ambience5

    Service was excellent. Food wasn't warm at all. The dessert, which had cake in it, was very stale, and the ice cream was like soup. The food would have been very good had it been warm.
    

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35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2017

    overall3food3service5ambience5

    The service and atmosphere were great. The food however left much to be desired in taste and quantity. Our food was also cold due to a back up in the kitchen. I'm definitely willing to come back and give the food a second chance because the service was so great.
    

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36. SH

    SteveH

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    vip
    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2017

    overall2food4service2ambience4

    Saturday night was a disappointment compared to my other visits. Reservation was for 7:30, but didn't get seated until almost 8:00 pm. Ordered a bottle of wine, but waiter came back to tell us they didn't have that one. Ordered a different bottle which arrived with our appetizers. Entrees did not arrive until 9:30 and then my friend sent his steak back because it was overcooked and the fries were cold. I finished my dinner before the steak came out. As he was finishing the steak, our side order arrived. The restaurant was packed on a Saturday night, but expected better because of my previous visits to Luminary.
    

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37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 21, 2017

    overall5food4service5ambience4

    I Love the Smalls & Entree the dessert needs some revamping it's too much going on. Simple is better.
    

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38. F

    Foodmaniac

    Austin

    39 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    39 reviews

    Dined on January 15, 2017

    overall5food5service3ambience5

    Overall, The Luminary never disappoints me. My one an only complaint this time is that it took quite a bit of time for the oysters to come to the table in two separate orders. However, the waitress did comp the desserts because of the delay in getting the oysters. Kudos to the waitress because I did not ask.
    

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39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Atlanta Metro

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 14, 2017

    overall4food4service5ambience4

    This is an excellent restaurant for a special occasion, or a first date. It was upscale enough to feel exclusive, yet intimate enough to be quite comfortable. The setting is modern and minimalist, and the service was superb. The bar is up to an elevated modern standard with a nice variety of things beyond well liquor, bot not grotesquely expensive. The hybrid French-seafood-American menu was a bit unique, but varied enough to suit the entire table's interests. Overall, a great restaurant, and we will return!
    

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40. AW

    AmandaW

    Atlanta Metro

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on January 13, 2017

    overall5food5service5ambience5

    Really enjoyed our experience. The hanger steak was excellent. Cool and very inviting. We will be back for sure.
    

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