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Black sesame mochi at Miru.
Allison Gallese

Where to Find Delectable Desserts at Chicago Restaurants

Satiate those sweet tooth cravings

by Samantha Nelson and Eater Staff Updated
View as Map
Black sesame mochi at Miru.
| Allison Gallese
by Samantha Nelson and Eater Staff Updated

The final bites of a meal can often leave a lasting impression. That’s why Chicago’s top restaurants and pastry chefs have focused on creating memorable desserts that diners should save room for. From lavish ice cream sundaes to indulgent cakes and pies, the following offerings provide a sweet and satisfying conclusion every time.

Note: This list doesn’t include bakeries which have their own list.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Daisies

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Daisies reopened in an expanded location in March, continuing to serve handmade pasta with seasonal ingredients and creative cocktails mixed with shrubs and syrups that incorporate kitchen scraps. The new digs also let executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky shine with a daytime coffee bar offering sweet and savory pastries along with a dessert menu for diners looking to end their meal on a sweet note. A summer highlight is sweet corn panna cotta topped with candied sunflower seeds and popcorn ice cream. Make a reservation with Tock.

2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 697-9443
(773) 697-9443

Also featured in:

Armitage Alehouse

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Armitage Alehouse has been a mega-hit since opening in Lincoln Park from Hogsalt, the owners of Bavette’s and Au Cheval. They play it a little fast and loose with their idea of an English pub, with the menu going in a variety of directions. Nonetheless, the desserts have won over diners whether they’re enjoying a full meal, or stopping for a nightcap inside Hogsalt’s signature dimly lit dining rooms. The sticky date cake, topped with brown butter gelato isn’t really what they’d be serving in Londontown, but it’s a memorable sweet ending.

1000 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 270-6402
(773) 270-6402

Also featured in:

Maple & Ash

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Extravagant Maple & Ash is adored by many for its selection of dry-aged beef, fresh seafood, and other high end delicacies. The steakhouse keeps it sweet and simple, though, for its signature dessert — a customizable sundae. Bowls of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams are brought to the table alongside a two-tier silver tray of toppings. Diners are welcome to customize their frozen treats with hot fudge, toffee, whipped cream, sprinkles, fruits, and more. Make a reservation here.

8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-8888
(312) 944-8888

Also featured in:

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

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The quintessential Chicago steakhouse experience isn’t just about the beef. Regulars know to save room for a slice of macadamia turtle pie at the end. The massive and decadent dessert is stacked high with vanilla ice cream, toasted macadamia nuts, and chocolate and caramel sauce. It’s also available at sister restaurant Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-8999
(312) 266-8999

Also featured in:

Obelix

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The work of pastry chef Antonio Incandela can be seen throughout a meal at Obelix, from the foie gras macarons to the restaurant’s signature beef wellington. Dessert brings a summery spin on baked Alaska with butter cake, truffle, sweet corn ice cream and Chicago mix popcorn. Dinners who didn’t save enough room can still try one of the a la carte bite-sized desserts like a pistachio financier. Book a table on Resy.

700 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 877-5348
(312) 877-5348

Also featured in:

TAO Chicago

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River North restaurant TAO Chicago provides luxurious spins on Pan-Asian favorites like beef and broccoli with aged New York strip and crispy orange chicken with steamed bok choy. Its signature giant fortune cookie is stuffed with white and dark chocolate mousse, lined with chocolate and almonds, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served atop a bed of fruit. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
(224) 888-0388
(224) 888-0388

Also featured in:

Mastro's

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A satisfying conclusion to every meal is guaranteed at Mastro’s thanks to its warm butter cake. The popular dessert boasts a crisp exterior and a gooey, buttery center. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top makes it even better. Make a reservation here.

520 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 521-5100
(312) 521-5100

Also featured in:

Michael Jordan's Steak House Chicago

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The Magnificent Mile restaurant serves decadent dishes and drinks such as maple-glazed double-smoked bacon, a 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye, short rib truffle pasta and the Golden Goat, a gold-leaf topped cocktail made with all of the basketball legend’s favorite spirits. But the ultimate indulgence comes for dessert, where Jordan’s retired Bulls number serves as the inspiration for the ultra-rich 23-layer chocolate cake swirled with whipped cream.

505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 321-8823
(312) 321-8823

Also featured in:

Frontera Grill

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Rick Bayless’s flagship restaurant showcases the regional flavors of Mexico, but the legendary house dessert is a wholly unique creation. Gooey chocolate pecan filling is baked inside a flaky crust and topped with a dollop of Kahlua whipped cream. While the rest of the dessert selection changes seasonally, this pie has been on the menu for decades and remains a favorite today. Book a table through Resy.

445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 661-1434
(312) 661-1434

Also featured in:

RPM Steak

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The swanky steakhouse from Lettuce Entertain You and celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic pulls out all the stops to provide a memorable experience. Dessert offers guests an opportunity to sink their sweet tooths into a milk and dark chocolate cake flecked with edible 14-karat gold. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 284-4990
(312) 284-4990

Also featured in:

Bavette's

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Nearly every major steakhouse in Chicago has a signature dessert and Bavette’s is no exception. The standout chocolate cream pie features a silky, fudgy filling in a crumbly Oreo crust with a giant dollop of whipped cream on top for good measure. Book a table through Resy.

218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 624-8154
(312) 624-8154

Also featured in:

River Roast

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River Roast offers striking views of the Chicago River along with whole fish, tender roast beef and apple wood-smoked chicken carved tableside. Add on some comforting sides like mac & cheese with garlic herb breadcrumbs and crispy fried potatoes, but save room for a massive slice of carrot and parsnip cake layered with cream cheese icing and crowned with golden fried carrot shavings. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

Also featured in:

Miru

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Lettuce Entertain You launched Miru in May in the St. Regis Chicago Hotel, serving maki, sashimi, robata skewers and glasses of sake in a space overlooking the Chicago River and Navy Pier. Pastry chef Juan Gutierrez, who won Netflix’s School of Chocolate when he was at Adorn, brings his skills to the dessert menu with a spin on mochi featuring charcoal-vanilla ice cream surrounded by mochi sponge and black sesame praline. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 725-7811
(312) 725-7811

Also featured in:

Bar Siena

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DineAmic Hospitality’s casual Italian spot in West Loop dishes out a variety of approachable bites. The dessert menu in particular is full of crowd pleasers, such as bomboloni. These hole-less doughnuts are filled with flavors including salted caramel, chocolate hazelnut, and strawberry. Folks can also get them from Bar Siena’s walk-up window, dubbed BomboBar. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 492-7775
(312) 492-7775

Also featured in:

Elske

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As the head of pastry at Michelin-starred Elske, an approachable Scandanavian-inspired restaurant in West Loop, Anna Posey’s desserts have never disappointed. Her desserts are more than a coda — they’re so good that may overshadow the entire meal, which may put a little pressure on her husband, the talented chef David Posey, to deliver with a set menu and a la carte options. Teaming with pastry chef T.C. Lumbar, the desserts change with the season. Currently, enjoy options like strawberry and buttermilk panna cotta with nasturtium and spices; or sunflower seed parfait with sour honey, licorice, and bee pollen.

1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-1314
(312) 733-1314

Also featured in:

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Bruna's Ristorante

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Located in the Heart of Italy, this old school restaurant has been serving hearty Italian fare since 1933. The excellent tiramisu is composed of espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with sweetened mascarpone cream and cocoa powder, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with slices of strawberries. Just like Bruna’s, the dessert is a timeless classic that diners keep coming back to.

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 254-5550
(773) 254-5550

Also featured in:

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

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One of Chicago’s most popular breweries moved its operation to a new venue in 2019 and added a restaurant as well. Head to the Bar at Moody Tongue to try executive chef Jared Wentworth’s fine-dining-caliber dishes paired with brewmaster Jared Rouben’s beers. The German chocolate cake is a must-try that features 12 layers of rich chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, espresso cheesecake, and German chocolate filling with toasted pecans and coconut. Book a table through Resy.

2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 600-5111
(312) 600-5111

Also featured in:

Birrieria Zaragoza

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This mighty Mexican spot, famous for its wonderful stewed goat served with fresh tortillas isn’t just about the savory. There’s only one dessert on the menu — Flan Oaxaqueño — and it’s a winner. It’s plenty sweet but doesn’t overpower tastebuds. Flan fans know what to expect, but this balanced, wonderfully textured dessert will make believers out of eaters who don’t rank flan as their favorite sweet. Yes, it’s that good. There’s a second location in Uptown.

4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 523-3700
(773) 523-3700

Also featured in:

Virtue

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Chefs Erick Williams and Damarr Brown have both won James Beard awards for their work at this Hyde Park restaurant, which has elevated the Chicago’s Southern cuisine to new heights. It also earned a spot on Eater’s list of the best restaurants in Chicago for highlighting heritage recipes with modern twists. For dessert, don’t miss pastry chef Becky Pendola’s classic banana pudding studded with vanilla wafers and topped with housemade Cool Whip. Make a reservation through SevenRooms.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

Also featured in:

Nella Pizza e Pasta

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Famed pizzaiola Nella Grassano is known for impressive Neapolitan-style pies and folks can even enjoy a dessert version. Her wood-fired Nutella pizza features dough filled with a layer of the hazelnut cocoa spread and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and slices of banana and strawberries. Make a reservation through Toast.

1125 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 643-0603
(773) 643-0603
A plate of Nutella pizza Nella Pizza e Pasta

Also featured in:

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Daisies

2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647

Daisies reopened in an expanded location in March, continuing to serve handmade pasta with seasonal ingredients and creative cocktails mixed with shrubs and syrups that incorporate kitchen scraps. The new digs also let executive pastry chef and partner Leigh Omilinsky shine with a daytime coffee bar offering sweet and savory pastries along with a dessert menu for diners looking to end their meal on a sweet note. A summer highlight is sweet corn panna cotta topped with candied sunflower seeds and popcorn ice cream. Make a reservation with Tock.

2375 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 697-9443
(773) 697-9443

Armitage Alehouse

1000 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614

Armitage Alehouse has been a mega-hit since opening in Lincoln Park from Hogsalt, the owners of Bavette’s and Au Cheval. They play it a little fast and loose with their idea of an English pub, with the menu going in a variety of directions. Nonetheless, the desserts have won over diners whether they’re enjoying a full meal, or stopping for a nightcap inside Hogsalt’s signature dimly lit dining rooms. The sticky date cake, topped with brown butter gelato isn’t really what they’d be serving in Londontown, but it’s a memorable sweet ending.

1000 W Armitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
(773) 270-6402
(773) 270-6402

Maple & Ash

8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610

Extravagant Maple & Ash is adored by many for its selection of dry-aged beef, fresh seafood, and other high end delicacies. The steakhouse keeps it sweet and simple, though, for its signature dessert — a customizable sundae. Bowls of vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry ice creams are brought to the table alongside a two-tier silver tray of toppings. Diners are welcome to customize their frozen treats with hot fudge, toffee, whipped cream, sprinkles, fruits, and more. Make a reservation here.

8 W Maple St, Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 944-8888
(312) 944-8888

Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611

The quintessential Chicago steakhouse experience isn’t just about the beef. Regulars know to save room for a slice of macadamia turtle pie at the end. The massive and decadent dessert is stacked high with vanilla ice cream, toasted macadamia nuts, and chocolate and caramel sauce. It’s also available at sister restaurant Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

1028 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 266-8999
(312) 266-8999

Obelix

700 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60654

The work of pastry chef Antonio Incandela can be seen throughout a meal at Obelix, from the foie gras macarons to the restaurant’s signature beef wellington. Dessert brings a summery spin on baked Alaska with butter cake, truffle, sweet corn ice cream and Chicago mix popcorn. Dinners who didn’t save enough room can still try one of the a la carte bite-sized desserts like a pistachio financier. Book a table on Resy.

700 N Sedgwick St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 877-5348
(312) 877-5348

TAO Chicago

632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654

River North restaurant TAO Chicago provides luxurious spins on Pan-Asian favorites like beef and broccoli with aged New York strip and crispy orange chicken with steamed bok choy. Its signature giant fortune cookie is stuffed with white and dark chocolate mousse, lined with chocolate and almonds, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served atop a bed of fruit. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

632 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
(224) 888-0388
(224) 888-0388

Mastro's

520 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654

A satisfying conclusion to every meal is guaranteed at Mastro’s thanks to its warm butter cake. The popular dessert boasts a crisp exterior and a gooey, buttery center. A scoop of vanilla bean ice cream on top makes it even better. Make a reservation here.

520 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 521-5100
(312) 521-5100

Michael Jordan's Steak House Chicago

505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

The Magnificent Mile restaurant serves decadent dishes and drinks such as maple-glazed double-smoked bacon, a 32-ounce tomahawk ribeye, short rib truffle pasta and the Golden Goat, a gold-leaf topped cocktail made with all of the basketball legend’s favorite spirits. But the ultimate indulgence comes for dessert, where Jordan’s retired Bulls number serves as the inspiration for the ultra-rich 23-layer chocolate cake swirled with whipped cream.

505 N Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
(312) 321-8823
(312) 321-8823

Frontera Grill

445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654

Rick Bayless’s flagship restaurant showcases the regional flavors of Mexico, but the legendary house dessert is a wholly unique creation. Gooey chocolate pecan filling is baked inside a flaky crust and topped with a dollop of Kahlua whipped cream. While the rest of the dessert selection changes seasonally, this pie has been on the menu for decades and remains a favorite today. Book a table through Resy.

445 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 661-1434
(312) 661-1434

RPM Steak

66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

The swanky steakhouse from Lettuce Entertain You and celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic pulls out all the stops to provide a memorable experience. Dessert offers guests an opportunity to sink their sweet tooths into a milk and dark chocolate cake flecked with edible 14-karat gold. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

66 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 284-4990
(312) 284-4990

Bavette's

218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654

Nearly every major steakhouse in Chicago has a signature dessert and Bavette’s is no exception. The standout chocolate cream pie features a silky, fudgy filling in a crumbly Oreo crust with a giant dollop of whipped cream on top for good measure. Book a table through Resy.

218 W Kinzie St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 624-8154
(312) 624-8154

River Roast

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654

River Roast offers striking views of the Chicago River along with whole fish, tender roast beef and apple wood-smoked chicken carved tableside. Add on some comforting sides like mac & cheese with garlic herb breadcrumbs and crispy fried potatoes, but save room for a massive slice of carrot and parsnip cake layered with cream cheese icing and crowned with golden fried carrot shavings. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

315 N La Salle St, Chicago, IL 60654
(312) 822-0100
(312) 822-0100

Miru

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601

Lettuce Entertain You launched Miru in May in the St. Regis Chicago Hotel, serving maki, sashimi, robata skewers and glasses of sake in a space overlooking the Chicago River and Navy Pier. Pastry chef Juan Gutierrez, who won Netflix’s School of Chocolate when he was at Adorn, brings his skills to the dessert menu with a spin on mochi featuring charcoal-vanilla ice cream surrounded by mochi sponge and black sesame praline. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

The St Regis Hotel, 401 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60601
(312) 725-7811
(312) 725-7811

Bar Siena

832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

DineAmic Hospitality’s casual Italian spot in West Loop dishes out a variety of approachable bites. The dessert menu in particular is full of crowd pleasers, such as bomboloni. These hole-less doughnuts are filled with flavors including salted caramel, chocolate hazelnut, and strawberry. Folks can also get them from Bar Siena’s walk-up window, dubbed BomboBar. Make a reservation through OpenTable.

832 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 492-7775
(312) 492-7775

Elske

1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607

As the head of pastry at Michelin-starred Elske, an approachable Scandanavian-inspired restaurant in West Loop, Anna Posey’s desserts have never disappointed. Her desserts are more than a coda — they’re so good that may overshadow the entire meal, which may put a little pressure on her husband, the talented chef David Posey, to deliver with a set menu and a la carte options. Teaming with pastry chef T.C. Lumbar, the desserts change with the season. Currently, enjoy options like strawberry and buttermilk panna cotta with nasturtium and spices; or sunflower seed parfait with sour honey, licorice, and bee pollen.

1350 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 733-1314
(312) 733-1314

Related Maps

Bruna's Ristorante

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608

Located in the Heart of Italy, this old school restaurant has been serving hearty Italian fare since 1933. The excellent tiramisu is composed of espresso-soaked ladyfingers layered with sweetened mascarpone cream and cocoa powder, sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with slices of strawberries. Just like Bruna’s, the dessert is a timeless classic that diners keep coming back to.

2424 S Oakley Ave, Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 254-5550
(773) 254-5550

Moody Tongue Brewing Company

2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616

One of Chicago’s most popular breweries moved its operation to a new venue in 2019 and added a restaurant as well. Head to the Bar at Moody Tongue to try executive chef Jared Wentworth’s fine-dining-caliber dishes paired with brewmaster Jared Rouben’s beers. The German chocolate cake is a must-try that features 12 layers of rich chocolate cake, chocolate buttercream, espresso cheesecake, and German chocolate filling with toasted pecans and coconut. Book a table through Resy.

2515 S Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
(312) 600-5111
(312) 600-5111

Birrieria Zaragoza

4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632

This mighty Mexican spot, famous for its wonderful stewed goat served with fresh tortillas isn’t just about the savory. There’s only one dessert on the menu — Flan Oaxaqueño — and it’s a winner. It’s plenty sweet but doesn’t overpower tastebuds. Flan fans know what to expect, but this balanced, wonderfully textured dessert will make believers out of eaters who don’t rank flan as their favorite sweet. Yes, it’s that good. There’s a second location in Uptown.

4852 S Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60632
(773) 523-3700
(773) 523-3700

Virtue

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615

Chefs Erick Williams and Damarr Brown have both won James Beard awards for their work at this Hyde Park restaurant, which has elevated the Chicago’s Southern cuisine to new heights. It also earned a spot on Eater’s list of the best restaurants in Chicago for highlighting heritage recipes with modern twists. For dessert, don’t miss pastry chef Becky Pendola’s classic banana pudding studded with vanilla wafers and topped with housemade Cool Whip. Make a reservation through SevenRooms.

1462 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 947-8831
(773) 947-8831

Nella Pizza e Pasta

1125 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615

Famed pizzaiola Nella Grassano is known for impressive Neapolitan-style pies and folks can even enjoy a dessert version. Her wood-fired Nutella pizza features dough filled with a layer of the hazelnut cocoa spread and finished with a dusting of powdered sugar and slices of banana and strawberries. Make a reservation through Toast.

1125 E 55th St, Chicago, IL 60615
(773) 643-0603
(773) 643-0603
A plate of Nutella pizza Nella Pizza e Pasta

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