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Full circle moment as Mamdani celebrates iftar at Vikas Khanna's 'Bungalow'
Khanna reflected on his first meeting with Mamdani when the latter was just a child.
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Anushka Pathak - Mon, 09, Mar 2026
- 14:21 EDT
- 26
NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani breaking his Ramadan fast at Chef Vikas Khanna’s restaurant, ‘Bungalow’ / Courtesy: Instagram/Vikas Khanna
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani broke his Ramadan fast with a special iftar meal at 'Bungalow,' the acclaimed restaurant owned by chef Vikas Khanna.
The visit marked an emotional reunion with Khanna tied to a chance encounter over 25 years ago.
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Mamdani began by breaking his fast with a date served by a staff member, a moment Khanna described as deeply emotional and filled with pride. This was followed by a custom iftar meal crafted by the chef, emphasizing the personal touch in their shared history.
Khanna shared that he first met Mamdani in 2001, when he had started working at Salaam Bombay restaurant in Tribeca.
The restaurant was named after a film by Mamdani’s mother and prominent filmmaker Mira Nair. Khanna stated that he "loved the name," as it was also his favorite film by Nair.
He described how one day "Mira walked in with her very young 8-year-old son, Zohran.” According to Khanna, Nair is one of the most supportive people he encountered in New York, adding that they "stayed in touch over the years," with Khanna catering several of her events.
Reflecting on the full-circle moment, Khanna noted the honor of now cooking for Mamdani as a prominent leader.
“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,” he added.
Khanna expressed appreciation for Mamdani choosing to celebrate at Bungalow, underscoring the deepened meaning of their connection. “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,” Khanna said in a social media post.
For the iftar, the space was transformed with Ramadan decorations, featuring fresh flowers, candles, and incense sticks to create a festive atmosphere.
A dedicated “Table of Grace” showcased tokens of faith and tradition, such as Islamic prayer beads, henna cones, artworks often hung on car mirrors, Muslim prayer caps, ittar (perfume) bottles, surma containers, and other symbolic items.
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