John Catsimatidis is nursing a grudge over his loss to Joe Lhota — but it sure hasn’t hurt his appetite.
Over a lunch that included five appetizers and two desserts, the food store mogul told the Daily News he’s a bit suspicious of Lhota’s Republican primary win and in no hurry to endorse his old foe for mayor.
“If I did endorse him, would he appreciate it?” Catsimatidis asked during a hearty lunch he shared with a Daily News reporter.
“Deep down inside, I feel he doesn’t like me, and if he doesn’t like me, that’s why I’ve held back.”
The billionaire — who owns the Gristedes supermarket chain, real estate, an oil refinery and convenience stores — said he doesn’t regret spending $10 million of his fortune on his mayoral dream.
But his defeat — 52% to 41% — still gnaws at him.
Catsimatidis said he felt like he was running against Lhota’s old boss, Rudy Giuliani, and he’s convinced a lot of votes cast for him in the primary somehow got lost.
“It doesn’t smell right,” he said.
He promised to conduct “a full investigation,” but how and when that might happen was not exactly clear.
Across several hours, the billionaire offered a peek into his free-wheeling ways.
Stepping out from his cluttered, picture-plastered office on 11th Ave. in Manhattan, Catsimatidis pointed the way to a chauffeured black Mercedes waiting to whisk him to one of his favorite restaurants.
The Greek Kitchen — owned by Teddy Andriotis who comes from the same island, Nisyros, where Catsimatidis was born — was just three blocks away.
“I should really walk,” he confided.
Catsimatidis barely looked at the menu before directing the waitress to bring a dizzying array of dishes.
He ordered five appetizers (stuffed grape leaves, pan-fried zucchini, grilled octopus, spinach-and-feta pie and fish roe spread) soup, moussaka, two desserts (baklava and galaktoboureko) and pita bread (the yogurt topped with walnuts and drenched in honey was on the house).
He dished a piece of the spinach pie onto a reporter’s plate, using a spoon and his fingers, and then demonstrated how to spread the fish egg appetizer onto the pita.
And he fretted that there were’t enough lemon wedges to squeeze into the chicken, egg and orzo soup he remembered from childhood.
Catsimatidis then dug into a helping of moussaka and dished a series of stories, with politics never off the table.
Catsimatidis, formerly a Democrat, said he plans to remain a Republican.
And if the next mayor doesn’t do such a hot job? He said he would “maybe, probably” run again. He added that he’s been approached to run for governor, but adds he would never challenge Andrew Cuomo.
Back in the office — after another quick car ride — his wife, Margo, showed off the swag that she helped procure for his campaign — the coffee mugs emblazoned with her husband’s face and the flashlights, pens, hats, T-shirts, totes, and rubber bracelets promoting a vote for “THE CAT MAN.”
Post-primary life for the couple is returning to normal, which means fundraisers, charity galas, movie screenings and quality time with their college-age son and married daughter.
As for the election, “I think it was worth it,” the former candidate said. “I spent over $10 million. I think I got my point across.”
“The question is,” he added, “Who am I in the future?”
