The Best Restaurants in Houston

The coastal Texas city of Houston is home to more than 10,000 restaurants, so there is no shortage of choices for dining, from upscale fine dining sites to comfortable and unassuming spots boasting inventive menus. Narrowing these options to the best restaurants in Houston is an onerous task, but one worth the effort. While there are multitudes of delectable menus offered in almost every neighborhood, Downtown, Midtown, Heights, and Upper Kirby dominate the list. Can’t-miss hot spots like the traveling venue of Ensemble HTX, the local haunt Roost, and the inventively decadent Killen’s STQ are all indicative of the rich culinary culture thriving in H-town.

The OpenTable Team

35 Restaurants

Updated December 15, 2021

Restaurants:	Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar, Artisans Restaurant, Arturo Boada Cuisine…
Price Range:	$$$ - $$$$
Cuisines:	Italian, French…
Neighborhoods:	Galleria / Uptown, Midtown / Montrose…

Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar

$$$$

Italian

Galleria / Uptown

4.8

1069 reviews

Giancarlo and Lisa Ferrara, married co-owners of Amalfi Ristorante Italiano & Bar, aim to help diners feel the salty breeze of Italy’s western coast at their classic Italian restaurant in Uptown. Giancarlo serves as the executive chef and has developed a rich seafood-driven menu. Many plates offer freshly made pasta and warm both the palate and the soul. Opened in 2014, the dining room of this revered site is bustling and clean, with crisp white tablecloths, wine bottles on display, and a friendly waitstaff.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Artisans Restaurant

$$$$

French

Midtown / Montrose

4.7

2422 reviews

The bold and opulent dining room of Artisans Restaurant in Houston’s Midtown, which opened in 2012, is adorned with rich woods, tall-backed chesterfield dining chairs, and an impressive wrap-around bar. Against this classy backdrop, executive chef Jacques Fox serves premier specialty dishes, like pan-seared foie gras with a crème de cassis demi-glace served with a saffron poached pear and baklava. While the menu identifies as French, Fox infuses his cuisine with a range of cultural influences, which he honed while working in various countries, like Israel, Haiti, Greece, and the United States.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Arturo Boada Cuisine

$$$$

Italian

Galleria / Uptown

4.8

622 reviews

The vibrancy of Mediterranean culture translates effectively at Arturo Boada Cuisine, where candy apple red walls lend energy to this quaint Italian-, Spanish-, and Latin-inspired spot. Chef and owner Arturo Boada plates classic dishes like fried calamari and fresh mussels, as well as entrees like fettuccini and shrimp—all elegantly crafted and served. First opened in 2012, Chef Boada has brought his decades-long experience and award-winning talent to this local gem. His nephew, Camilo Boada, works alongside Arturo, making this restaurant a family venture.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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BORI

$$$$

Korean

Spring Branch

4.8

492 reviews

Dim lighting, chartreuse-colored booths, and gray-scale walls lend a comfortable and sophisticated aura to BORI. A Korean barbeque spot that encourages a community approach to dining, this restaurant channels the flavors of the far east, serving dishes like the rib finger combo in small and large portions. Primarily considered a steakhouse, it opened in 2019. Since then, chef Steve Won Heo has approached his dishes with a focus on quality ingredients and prime cuts that both delight and satiate diners.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Brennan's of Houston

$$$$

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Midtown / Montrose

4.9

3552 reviews

Situated in a large mill-style brick building, Brennan’s of Houston entered the Houston restaurant scene in 1967. Since its opening, the menu has proven progressive and exciting; today, its chef, Jose Arevalo, serves contemporary local dishes with creole inspirations like gulf fish Pontchartrain, which boasts jumbo lump crab, shrimp, oysters, parmesan mushroom rice, and creole butter. This premier location is a staple in Houston, and the experience includes the setting. Barn ceilings and a warm yellow and gilded dining room are simultaneously inviting and posh.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Cafe Rabelais

$$$$

French

Rice Village

4.7

585 reviews

Café Rebelais manages to recreate an intimate bistro setting, complete with stone walls and rustic French country tablescapes, right in the heart of Houston. Owner Christophe Paul opened the restaurant’s doors in 2000. Today, chef Soriano Frank has helped to craft a menu of casual French dishes, like risotto de Saint-Jacques with sauteed scallops and wild mushrooms and the traditionally rich and comforting bœuf bourguignon. Dishes easily pair with wine; the restaurant offers an extensive list of French wines that hail from every region of the country.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Casa Do Brasil - Houston

$$$$

Brazilian Steakhouse

Galleria / Uptown

4.8

314 reviews

Experience the food of Brazilian cowboys, otherwise known as gauchos. With decadent steaks and other high-grade meats, the all-you-can-eat fare at Casa Do Brasil in Houston, which opened in 2017, is crafted by executive chef Angel Luis Rodriguez. A substantial number of options, including New Zealand halal lamb and USDA prime aged beef, are served in a spacious dining room, where black leather chairs and white tablecloths add to the experience in this upscale steakhouse-style site. A salad bar helps balance the protein-heavy menu.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Chama Gaucha - Houston

$$$$

Brazilian Steakhouse

Galleria / Uptown

4.7

2658 reviews

Family-friendly Brazilian steakhouse Chama Gaucha pays tribute to the wild gaucho spirit of the south. Opened in 2011, the restaurant is part of a small, limited franchise that serves about ten different cuts of meat, including fraldinha, which is bottom sirloin, and cordeiro, seasoned leg of lamb or rack of lamb. The stylized and sophisticated dining room lends validity to the concept, with warm stone walls, a stunning salad bar that takes center stage, and hints of red throughout.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Davis Street

$$$$

Seafood

W. University / Med Center

4.7

683 reviews

Blending flavors and preparation styles from the southern United States and pan-Asian gastronomic influences, Davis Street’s executive chef, Mark Holley, wows diners with showstopping dishes that color outside the culinary lines. Thai-style snapper for two features the full fish, and a surprisingly sophisticated southern peanut soup gives a nod to the south’s agricultural history. The restaurant, which had closed for a period, made its revival in 2019. Today, it’s as warm and inviting as the smile on Chef Holley’s face; with a Cajun vibe, bright spaces, and comfortable bench seating, it’s a must-visit.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Ensemble HTX

$$$$

Unspecified

Downtown

5.0

109 reviews

Since the summer of 2020, meticulously crafted dishes have characterized the plates served by chef and founder Jan-Mitchell Avilés at Ensemble HTX. This upscale restaurant has a modern ambience with an almost monochromatic color scheme that highlights the decadent courses served at set-menu seatings for an awe-inspiring private dining experience. Diners are invited to bring their own wine; a few different bottles are recommended to pair with dishes that will likely to come from a variety of cultural styles. The venue changes monthly and only seats 15 people per meal, so book early and prepare to make friends.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Etoile Cuisine Et Bar

$$$$

French

Galleria / Uptown

4.8

2979 reviews

Small operetta-style chandeliers hang from a rustic ceiling and add twinkle to the comfortable upscale dining room at Etoile Cuisine et Bar, which opened in 2012. Co-owner and executive chef Philippe Verpiand has crafted an elegant menu to match. Dishes like the French classic Coq au vin with potato puree and vegetables set the culinary tone here. Francophiles rejoice around traditional dishes and an exciting bar and wine menu designed to complement diners’ meals.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Eunice

$$$$

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

4.8

1878 reviews

Opened in 2018 and inspired by the rich and vibrant flavors of Texas’s neighbor to the east, Louisiana, the menu at Eunice, crafted by owner and executive chef Drake Leonards, is focused on creole creations from his home state. Cajun duck poppers and cornmeal-crusted oysters are characteristic of the dishes served, but not always on the menu, since food options here are driven by the seasons. Whatever diners choose, they’ll enjoy the ambience; bleached-wood chairs and benches accented with navy blue makes this brasserie-style setting feel fresh, energetic, and coastal.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Gauchos Do Sul - Highland Village

$$$$

Brazilian Steakhouse

Galleria / Uptown

4.7

277 reviews

Serving “Churrasco” since the summer of 2020, Gauchos Do Sul in Highland Village lets people explore southern Brazilian flavors. The smoke room meets Brazilian cowboy decor in this meat-driven spot situated on a third-floor site with city views. Exciting and local menu items like grilled pineapple and Texas Kobe beef enhance the posh setting. Unlimited dining allows people to explore as many of the meats as their appetites can handle.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Ginger & Fork

$$$$

Chinese (Canton)

Heights / Washington

4.8

742 reviews

Since 2015, a bright ambience and crisp white and black table settings have invited diners at Ginger & Fork to sit, enjoy a meal, and stay a while. Executive chef Feng crafts traditional Chinese dishes that cater to various palates, including vegetarian options like spicy organic tofu and seafood-driven fare like shrimp in velvet meat sauce. Reservations should be made in advance.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Gringo's Mexican Kitchen - Fuqua

$$$$

Tex-Mex

Houston

4.7

283 reviews

Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen is a regional chain of Tex-Mex restaurants that has been serving Texas since 1993. The first restaurant was opened by Russell Ybarra, known as a master enchilada roller. The Fuqua franchise, first for the chain, opened its doors in 2015. The menu invites people to sample the classic flavors of traditional southern dishes like seafood enchiladas and sizzling fajitas, all at reasonable prices in a casual, family-friendly setting.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Jonathan's the Rub at Memorial Green

$$$$

American

West Side

4.8

500 reviews

Hanging terrariums and soft pastel hues. Bistro lights and bare brick walls. Jonathan’s the Rub at Memorial Green converts a high-ceilinged industrial setting into a chic and charming contemporary spot adored by diners. The Rub was opened by owner and chef Jonathan Levine in 2008 and has since become known for its brunch and lunch menus, including Maine lobster tacos and stuffed quail breast with bourbon cherry sauce, red jalapeño, and smoked sausage wrapped in bacon.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Killen's STQ

$$$$

American

West Side

4.8

1356 reviews

In 2016, Ronnie Killen officially opened the doors to his namesake, Killen’s STQ. He operates as both owner and chef and crafts exciting, palate-piquing dishes like double pork chops with jalapeño grits and cilantro mousse—typical of Ronnie’s inventive style. The grand dining room’s rustic barn feel complemented by sophisticated table settings, allow diners to experience traditional Texas-style comfort foods with an upgrade, inspired by the chef’s training at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute in London.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

La Lucha

$$$$

Seafood

Heights / Washington

4.8

924 reviews

Owner and chef Ford Fry opened La Lucha in 2018 as a tribute to San Jacinto Inn, a beloved vacation site from his childhood. The restaurant’s indulgent menu is ripe with seafood and traditional comfort foods, like old-school cheeseburgers. Set amid a dining room that transports diners back a few decades—with its rustic wood ceilings, wrapped bar, warm-glow lights, and chesterfield bench seating—the ambience is inviting, intimate, and cozy. Cocktails are equally indulgent, so diners are encouraged to choose wisely.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

MF Sushi

$$$$

Sushi

Midtown / Montrose

4.9

1307 reviews

The minimalist décor of the dining room at MF Sushi, which opened its doors in 2002, lets the artfully-crafted dishes of this upscale Japanese sushi restaurant take center stage. With an Omakase menu designed to wow, diners can enjoy a range of seafood fare, including toro, salmon avocado balls, and A5 wagyu. At the chef’s sushi table, diners can even watch their meals be created. The executive chef at MF Sushi, Chef Chris Kinjo, has also aided in the opening of another sushi hot spot in Houston, Ume Sushi.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Pappas Bros. Steakhouse - Galleria

$$$$

Steak

Galleria / Uptown

4.9

7472 reviews

Classic, uncomplicated, and well-executed dishes are characteristic of the menu served at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse in downtown Houston, which opened in 2010. Executive chef Michael Velardi plates traditional dishes to perfection, such as filet mignon and king salmon with sides like roasted wild mushrooms and creamed spinach. The restaurant’s piano player, who serenades the dining room on a nightly basis, adds an extra layer of sophistication to the ambience of this upscale restaurant, which feels like a bit like a rich and chic cigar club. For diners who plan to enjoy wine with their meal, it would be wise to do some research in advance, as the menu boasts more than 3,900 selections.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Porta'Vino

$$$$

Italian

Houston

4.8

800 reviews

Black metal chairs, white tables, red accents, and industrial ceilings serve as the backdrop to this unassuming Houston gem. The Italian-driven menu at Porta’Vino, opened by chef Bobby Floyd in 2020, welcomes diners into a casual and warm setting. Dishes like charred corn ravioli and wild boar Bolognese also pay tribute to his years of serving with other award-winning chefs, whom Bobby credits with inspiration and education. People may want to bring their own wine here—after all, that’s what “porta’ vino” means.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Potente

$$$$

Italian

Downtown

4.8

1414 reviews

Since opening in 2017, Potente has offered diners a sophisticated fine dining experience. The dining room’s clean, strong lines and dark tones add a contemporary feel to this Italian restaurant in the heart of Houston. But it doesn’t stop there. Inspired by his grandparents, executive chef Danny Trace fuses traditional Italian dishes with Cajun flavors to produce inspired entrees. Using fresh and seasonal ingredients, plates like ravioli di mais—with fire-roasted Texas corn, black morel mushroom, and giuncata cheese—are decadent and fresh.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Roka Akor - Houston

$$$$

Steakhouse

River Oaks

4.8

1237 reviews

Edgy, modern, and moody, Roka Akor’s high ceilinged dining room adds loft to the dining experience. The trendy Japanese steakhouse offers prime cuts of meat, elegant sushi, and rich seafood. Chef Ce Bian plates exciting dishes crafted from simple ingredients, like Korean spiced lamb chops with cucumber and smoked eggplant. Part of a limited number of franchise restaurants around the country, the Houston Roka Akor first opened its doors in the spring of 2017.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Roost Houston

$$$$

Contemporary American

Heights / Washington

4.8

334 reviews

The cheekily named Roost is a charming and intimate farm-to-table restaurant that invites diners to have a cozy meal in a friendly neighborhood atmosphere. Owner and chef Kevin Naderi opened Roost in 2011. Since then, the restaurant, with is shutter-clad walls, has gained a reputation for its undefinable yet unpretentious menu. With inspiration from Europe, Asia and the US, the chef crafts plates like truffled chicken n’ dumplings and mussel and leek bourride. The menu changes about once a month, so there is always something new to try at this local haunt.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Scott Gertner's Rhythm Room

$$$$

Creole

River Oaks

4.6

251 reviews

Moody blues. Vibrant purples. White tablecloths. The ambience at Scott Gertner’s Rhythm Room, first opened in mid-2020, is a fusion of cool tones and comfort food. Live music funnels through the room, which exudes an old-school lounge feel. Cajun flavors, like the Zydeco crab cake burger, dominate the menu from Barbara Anderson’s kitchen and should not be missed. Diners are encouraged to make reservations in advance to get the most out of the experience.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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State of Grace

$$$$

Regional American (Contemporary Southern)

River Oaks

4.8

2679 reviews

Rustic Texas cowboy culture gets a contemporary and polished update at Houston’s swanky State of Grace. Deep, warm tones; lots of metal; and a long bar give this setting an almost brasserie feel, but the comforting menu grounds the restaurant. Executive chef Bobby Matos serves traditional foods in a style a la chef, and the spot’s owner is Ford Fry, who also stewards the La Lucha enterprise in the Heights neighborhood. Opened in 2015, State of Grace’s menu offers inventive classics like half-chicken with potato puree, charred lemon, and capers.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Steak 48 - Houston

$$$$

Steakhouse

River Oaks

4.9

7760 reviews

At Steak 48, opened in 2016, a raw-edged wood bar reminds diners that this is Texas, while the sophisticated and substantial dining room is richly cosmopolitan and could feel at home in any major city. This upscale steakhouse also boasts a surprisingly robust menu. In addition to decadent filet mignons and hearty ribeyes, executive chef Donovan Wood serves diners beautifully crafted seafood dishes like Shetland Island salmon and Chilean seabass, as well as excitingly innovative sides like corn crème brûlée.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Chef's Table -Houston

$$$$

Steakhouse

Vintage Park

4.8

528 reviews

Inspired by a career that’s taken him around the world to experience fresh techniques and flavors, award-winning master chef Paul Friedman delights diners with a rich menu of inventive dishes. His culminating enterprise is The Chef’s Table, open since 2018—a restaurant with a linear dining room set with black tables, globe lights, and a wood-slat ceiling that feels sophisticated. This elegant setting is primed for a culinary journey. Diners are encouraged to take that journey and try dishes like beef osso bucco, schnitzel poblano, and charred octopus. Cap it off with wine selected from the healthy list of options sourced from ANURA.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

The Federal Grill - Hedwig Village

$$$$

American

West Side

4.7

1055 reviews

Local classics and comfort foods with a fresh take and some international inspiration dominate the menu at The Federal Grill, where executive chef Matt Brice crafts dishes for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Fun appetizers like fried cheeseburger eggrolls and fontina spinach dip whet the palate for robust mains like the French dip, a hoagie bun loaded with thin-sliced roast beef that comes with a side of creamy horseradish and Guinness stout au jus. While the menu is unpretentious, the dining room remains sophisticated, with vaulted ceilings, white tablecloths, and a bourbon-barrel feel. The Federal Grill has been serving hearty appetites since early 2020.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Tony's

$$$$

Italian

Upper Kirby / Shepherd Corridor

4.9

521 reviews

Delicate and artful plating highlights the rich, decadent dishes crafted by executive chef Alex Waiter at Tony’s. This fine dining spot serves up an array of seafood-driven Italian dishes given a fresh update with contemporary flavors and techniques, resulting in menu items like filini—a fresh-cut pasta with jumbo shrimp, Santa Barbara sea urchin, and crispy bread crumbs. The restaurant first opened in 1965. During its decades of operation, Tony’s has earned a reputation for its elegant, upscale setting and sophisticated presentation.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Takeout available

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TRIBUTE

$$$$

Regional American (Southern)

West Side

4.8

395 reviews

Elegantly presented plates are a staple of the service and atmosphere at TRIBUTE at the Houstonian. The classically grand and simultaneously rustic setting of this fine dining spot crafts what is lovingly referred to as “Tex-Lex,” menu items that echo the unique food culture of the Lone Star State—a fusion of Texan, Louisianan, and Mexican flavors and techniques. Chef Neal Cox helped reimagine the menu, which includes Texas striped bass almondine and foraged mushroom empanadas, when TRIBUTE evolved from Olivette in late 2019.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Truluck's - Ocean's Finest Seafood & Crab - Houston

$$$$

Seafood

Galleria / Uptown

4.7

3398 reviews

The upscale Uptown seafood and steak restaurant Truluck’s – Ocean’s Finest Seafood & Crab serves fresh ingredients hauled in from the restaurant’s own fisheries. Executive chef Misael Ramirez creates culinary works of art from those hauls. With elegant dishes like miso-glazed seabass or South African lobster tail prepared and executed to perfection, the experience could only be heightened by the nightly live piano music that tinkles from the Stone Crab Lounge. Truluck’s has been a fine dining staple in Houston since 1992.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Turner's

$$$$

American

Galleria / Uptown

4.9

410 reviews

Take a step back in time and enjoy the old-world charm of Turner’s. The walls of this opulent setting are adorned with grand oil paintings, antique polo gear, and décor that transports diners into the posh country style of Scotland. Executive chef Robert Del Grande crafts elegant local and continental dishes from traditional ingredients, like planked Scottish salmon and wagyu filet mignon. For a particularly decadent meal, diners are encouraged to partake in the petrossian caviar service. No wonder this spot has been an institution on the Houston restaurant scene since 1978.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

Experiences available

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Ume Sushi Heights

$$$$

Sushi

Heights / Washington

4.9

218 reviews

Simple, unassuming tables and booths situated against the backdrop of textured walls characterize the casual yet chic dining room of Ume Sushi, a specialty Japanese restaurant that opened in Houston in early 2021. While closely associated with MF Sushi, the sushi chefs Hiro, Win, and Khang remain full-time at Ume, where lotus flower fixtures drop from the ceiling, shedding light on their artfully plated sushi creations, such as sea bass tempura and Ume wasabi duck breast.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

We Olive & Wine Bar- Houston

$$$$

Wine Bar

Heights / Washington

4.4

51 reviews

A chic casual dining wine bar, We Olive & Wine Bar opened in Houston in 2017. With tile floors and a wood cocktail bar, the unfussy dining room is designed with organic materials like wood and stone that mirror the menu. The spot offers Mediterranean-inspired small plates, some of which have a Texas skew, like the BBQ chicken flatbread. Husband-and-wife co-owners Luis and Amber Rabo also have a range of craft beers and artisan wines on the menu to pair with the dishes.

At the moment, there's no online availability within 2.5 hours of your request. Do you have another time in mind?

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