Zohran Mamdani celebrates Iftar at Vikas Khanna's Bungalow — and their connection goes back decades
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani broke his Ramadan fast at Bungalow, chef Vikas Khanna's New York restaurant. What made the evening remarkable was the backstory — Khanna first met Mamdani in 2001, when the future mayor was just eight years old, brought in by his mother, filmmaker Mira Nair.
New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani marked Iftar this week at Bungalow, the Manhattan restaurant run by celebrated Indian chef Vikas Khanna — a visit that carried unusual personal significance for both men.
Zohran Mamdani celebrates Iftar at Vikas Khanna's restaurant Bungalow
Khanna took to Instagram to share details of the evening, revealing that the two first crossed paths more than two decades ago, when Mamdani was a child of eight accompanying his mother, the filmmaker Mira Nair, to a restaurant in Tribeca where Khanna had just found his footing after a difficult period in his life.
"I had just survived homelessness, left a very abusive job, and started working at Salaam Bombay restaurant in Tribeca. I loved the name — it was also my favourite film by the iconic Mira Nair. One day, Mira walked in with her very young 8-year-old son, Zohran (sic)," Khanna wrote.
The mayor, who was elected to lead the city earlier this year, broke his fast in the traditional manner — first with a date, before sitting down to a full Iftar meal prepared by the chef personally.
For the occasion, Bungalow had set up what Khanna described as a "Table of Grace" — a dedicated space holding items of faith and cultural significance, including Islamic prayer beads, henna cones, Muslim prayer caps, ittar bottles and surma containers, arranged alongside the restaurant's customary fresh flowers, candles and incense.
Khanna spoke warmly of Nair's role in his early years in New York, describing her as "one of the most supportive humans" he encountered when he arrived in the city, and noting that he has catered several of her events over the years.
The reunion clearly moved him. "And today, 25+ years later, I had the honour of cooking for that same young boy — now a global leader shaping the future of New York City. Life truly comes full circle (sic)," he wrote.
He addressed the mayor directly in his closing words. "Thank you, Zohran Mamdani, for celebrating Iftar with us today. Cooking for you was deeply personal 25 years ago — and it feels even more meaningful today (sic)," he said.
Bungalow, which opened in recent years, has established itself as one of the more sought-after tables in New York, drawing a steady stream of notable guests alongside its regular clientele.
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Trisha Bhattacharya is a Senior Content Producer at Livemint, with over two years of experience covering entertainment news from India and beyond. She spends her days tracking what’s trending, breaking down pop culture moments, and turning fast-moving entertainment stories into sharp, engaging reads that actually make people want to click — and stay. <br> She holds a Master’s degree in English Literature from Lucknow University, a background that shapes her love for layered narratives, strong voices, and stories that linger long after they’re told. Before joining Livemint, Trisha worked with India Today as an entertainment journalist and film critic. There, she reviewed films, covered industry news, and built a strong foundation in storytelling and cultural analysis. <br> Trisha enjoys working at the intersection of media, culture, and audience interest, always looking for fresh angles and formats. Films, shows, and music are not just her beat but her biggest passion — something that naturally reflects in her writing. Whether it’s cinema, streaming shows, music, or internet trends, she approaches every story with curiosity and intent. <br> Outside the job description, she’s unapologetically passionate about films, shows, and music — sometimes a little too passionate, if you ask her. That enthusiasm often spills into her work, adding personality, urgency, and a touch of chaos that keeps her writing alive. For Trisha, entertainment isn’t just a beat — it’s a language she speaks fluently.