DC Restaurant Groups Criticize Democrats' 'Baseless' Boycott Threat Allegedly Supported by AOC and Sanders

Dozens of Democratic lawmakers are stepping up pressure on two prominent Washington, D.C., restaurant groups by launching a boycott of six high-profile venues amid escalating labor disputes. The targeted restaurants—including Le Diplomate, Osteria Mozza, and The Occidental from the STARR group, as well as Rasika, Modena, and Bombay Club operated by Knightsbridge Restaurant Group—are widely known as staples among the region’s political elite. The move follows months of organized labor efforts by workers who allege “union busting” tactics in their push to join hospitality union UNITE HERE Local 25.

The boycott movement is being championed by a coalition of lawmakers, including high-profile figures like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). In an official flyer circulated by Local 25, union representatives claim that “hundreds of workers at some of D.C.’s most prominent and lucrative restaurants... have endured months of union busting from their employers.” Employees and supporters have been staging informational pickets outside all six locations, calling for residents and visitors to avoid dining or gathering at these establishments until their concerns are addressed.

STARR, which manages three of the boycotted restaurants, has pushed back vigorously against the allegations, describing the boycott as “baseless.” A representative for STARR emphasized that, in their view, a majority of Le Diplomate employees are not interested in unionizing and warned that any boycott could have unintended negative consequences. “A boycott of any kind can result in lost hours, wages, and tips that our hardworking employees rely upon,” the spokesperson stated. “It is unfortunate that an organization that claims to want to represent the employees of Le Diplomate would call for an action that would harm them.”

The owner of Knightsbridge Restaurant Group offered a more pointed criticism, questioning whether lawmakers truly understood what they were supporting. “How many of these congress members even know themselves that they're signing?” he remarked, casting doubt on the depth of congressional engagement and understanding regarding the ongoing labor dispute. Knightsbridge did not respond to repeated requests for further comment.

The restaurants in question are not only frequent haunts for Washington insiders—Le Diplomate and Osteria Mozza have hosted notable figures such as former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden. Former President Obama was spotted at Osteria Mozza earlier this year, accompanied by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, underscoring the venues’ high-profile clientele and influence.

Labor leaders argue that the boycott is a last resort, aimed at drawing public attention to what they characterize as persistent resistance to unionization efforts and improving working conditions. “Now, workers are calling for D.C. customers to boycott these restaurants, asking the public not to eat, meet or drink at these locations,” the Local 25 flyer declares. Organizers hope the mounting political and public scrutiny will help shift the balance in favor of the workers’ demands for representation and improved rights on the job.

With the boycott intensifying, the situation has become a flashpoint for discussions about labor rights, economic justice, and the power wielded by Washington’s most popular dining spots. As negotiations continue behind the scenes, the coming weeks may prove decisive for both sides of this increasingly public conflict.