Our Mission
We're an independent group of people who work with people to provide service to people. Hospitality is people.
Who are the Strangebirds
Strange Bird Hospitality is led by Leslie Affre and Natalie Freihon — career operators and founders with decades of hands-on experience across Michelin-recognized dining rooms, international operations, and founder-led restaurant concepts in New York.
We have opened restaurants.
We have operated them.
We have grown them — and adjusted them when they needed to evolve.
Our advisory work grows out of that experience — from building and running restaurants over time.
We love what we do — hospitality has shaped our careers and continues to drive us. We hold high standards and pay attention to the details, because the small things shape how a place feels. We think independently, take on projects selectively, and build things we believe in — and we build them to last.
We partner with founders, operators, hospitality groups, and hotel teams to build businesses that balance atmosphere with structure — where creativity is supported by financial clarity, and hospitality is strengthened by thoughtful systems. Whether engaged at the earliest stages or brought in to strengthen an existing operation, we work closely with our partners to bring clarity, direction, and steady momentum.
NATALIE FREIHON
Natalie Freihon is a hospitality operator, founder, and restaurateur with decades of experience leading some of New York City’s most respected restaurants and private membership clubs.
Originally from Los Angeles, Natalie earned a degree in Textile Design and a BA in Sociology from Columbia University. After graduating, she built her career in New York, holding senior leadership roles at acclaimed establishments including Freemans, Mercat, The Breslin, John Dory Oyster Bar, Ace Hotel New York, Soho House, and Ludlow House, where she led the club’s downtown opening.
In 2017, she became a partner in The Fat Radish and later founded TFR Management Group, overseeing operations for The Fat Radish in New York and Savannah, Basic Kitchen in Charleston, and additional hospitality ventures. Across markets and concepts, her focus has remained consistent: building operationally rigorous, financially sound restaurants with strong cultural foundations.
As co-founder of Strange Bird Hospitality, Natalie has developed and operated neighborhood-driven concepts including Nat’s on Bank, Nat’s on Bleecker, and The Orchard Townhouse. Her work is defined by a balance of creativity and discipline—pairing distinctive design and approachable, elevated cuisine with systems that allow restaurants to grow sustainably.
At her core, Natalie believes hospitality is about responsibility—toward teams, toward guests, and toward the long-term health of a business. She is deeply committed to creating environments where employees feel empowered and supported, and where guests experience a genuine sense of warmth and belonging. Whether launching a new concept or refining an established operation, her approach combines strategic clarity with an instinctive understanding of what makes a restaurant endure.
LESLIE AFFRE
Leslie Affre is a hospitality consultant and operator with decades of international experience across Europe and the United States.
Born and raised on the French Riviera, Leslie holds a degree in French Literature and later attended hospitality management school before beginning her career in Michelin-starred restaurants in the South of France. She developed an early appreciation for food, wine, and the rhythm of restaurant life before relocating to London to continue challenging herself professionally. There, she worked closely with leading restaurateurs, including Morad Mazouz, and was part of the opening team at the acclaimed restaurant Sketch alongside Chef Pierre Gagnaire. She later opened and held senior leadership roles at E & O Restaurant and Mews of Mayfair, helping guide them into respected fixtures within London’s dining scene.
After moving to New York City, Leslie joined AvroKO Hospitality Group, working at Michelin-starred PUBLIC and opening Double Crown as General Manager. She later joined The Dinex Group under Chef Daniel Boulud before co-founding Atrium Dumbo in Brooklyn in 2014. Atrium operated successfully for nearly a decade, earning Michelin Guide recognition and multiple Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence. She later opened Beasts & Bottles in Brooklyn Heights, which also received Wine Spectator Awards of Excellence, reinforcing her strength in building thoughtful concepts with strong wine programs and loyal neighborhood followings.
Leslie is known for her precision, focus, and tenacity. She thrives on structure and clarity, implementing systems that help restaurants run more smoothly and efficiently while preserving the integrity of the guest experience. Deeply committed to training and mentoring, she takes pride in developing teams that are confident, accountable, and genuinely invested in their work.
Today, as a partner at Strange Bird Hospitality, Leslie works closely with restaurateurs and investors on concept development, operations, and long-term sustainability. Her approach is grounded in hands-on experience—balancing creative vision with practical execution to build restaurants that are not only beautiful and relevant, but resilient and built to last.