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Mamdani’s first political meeting as NYC mayor-elect? A power lunch with AOC.
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 5, 2025
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Kara McCurdy
By
Elizabeth Kim
Published Nov 5, 2025
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The two faces of a surging progressive movement came together for a power lunch over beef momos one day after Tuesday's historic mayoral election.
Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday at one of her favorite restaurants in Jackson Heights.
Over a meal of Nepalese food at Laliguras Bistro, including chili chicken with tingmo bread and aloo dum, the two democratic socialists discussed the need for generational change in their party. They also spoke about their responsibility as leaders of the movement, according to a person familiar with the conversation.
They also talked about making New York City a model of Democratic governance for the rest of the country, according to the person, who wasn’t authorized to detail private conversations.
The one-hour meeting was described by the campaign as Mamdani’s first political meeting after winning the election.
The meeting signals that both recognize the stakes of Mamdani’s mayoralty extend far beyond New York City.
Ocasio-Cortez and Mamdani exiting Laliguras Bistro in Jackson Heights.
Kara McCurdy
Republicans have vowed to make Mamdani the face of a Democratic Party that they say is too radical for the country. Progressives say Mamdani’s focus on affordability demonstrates how an unapologetically liberal candidate can have mass appeal.
The meal brought the political alliance between the two 30-something politicians full circle. Last year, Mamdani invited the congressmember to a kebab house in Queens to discuss his long-shot bid for mayor.
Ocasio-Cortez was reportedly skeptical about whether the young Queens assemblymember had a path to winning City Hall. But as she later recounted during a June rally for Mamdani ahead of the primary, his campaign started in the same improbable way as her 2018 upset congressional win over a Queens Democratic Party boss.
She ultimately endorsed him as her first pick in the ranked-choice Democratic primary.
“We don’t know if this is going to be possible,” she said at the time. “But we know running is the right thing to do.”
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Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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