Washington (CNN) What began as a coincidental encounter between Michael Avenatti and Michael Cohen on Monday evening evolved into what Avenatti is calling a potentially "critical" meeting.

The two bumped into each other at the New York restaurant Scalinatella, Avenatti told CNN, which led to a "lengthy" and "frank" conversation.

"We had a very open, honest and frank discussion that I found to be extremely productive. It was lengthy. It was frank," Avenatti said.

Vanity Fair previously reported on the encounter between Avenatti and Cohen.

"Michael and I conversed and I found that meeting to be productive," Avenatti said. "That meeting could ultimately end up being a critical meeting."

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