Where Tradition Meets Youth: Karim Saad’s Vision for L’OS
Growing up in a family behind a well-known restaurant like L’Os, what are some of your earliest memories connected to the restaurant and hospitality?
Growing up, some of my earliest memories connected to the restaurant were the afternoons when my mom would drop me off there after school so I could spend time with my grandfather and my dad. I remember watching customers walk in and greet my family so warmly, and seeing many of the same familiar faces over the years showed just how much they enjoyed coming to L’Os. As I got older, I realized that this loyalty came from the genuine warmth my family showed every guest. They had a special way of making people feel welcomed and appreciated, and it was beautiful to see how they could put a smile on every family’s face. Seeing that atmosphere of kindness and care made me understand how important it was for them to ensure that every guest felt respected and well taken care of.
. As a young entrepreneur continuing a family legacy, how do you balance respecting tradition while bringing your own modern vision to L’Os?
Continuing a family legacy like L’Os comes with a deep sense of responsibility, especially knowing how much history and loyalty the restaurant carries. I grew up witnessing the dedication and consistency my grandfather and father put into building it, so preserving that tradition is something very important to me. At the same time, being part of a younger generation naturally brings a different energy and perspective. My goal is to keep the essence of L’Os exactly as people know and love it. The quality, the familiar faces, and the warm atmosphere, while introducing a more modern vision around it. This can be felt in the way we think about the experience today, how we present the restaurant, and how we connect with a new generation of clients. It’s not about changing the tradition, but about allowing it to evolve. I want our loyal customers to feel that the spirit of L’Os remains untouched, while also sensing that there is a fresh, young energy driving it forward. In a way, it’s about honoring the past while making sure the restaurant continues to grow and stay relevant for the future.
L’Os in Ain Saadeh and Jezzine both offer beautiful and unique experiences. How do you ensure each location keeps its own character while staying true to the brand?
First of all, there are a few key elements that we always stay true to—things that define the L’Os experience. A beautiful view, a warm and welcoming atmosphere that feels almost like being at home with family, and the presence of wood accents are all part of our identity. These details create the environment our guests naturally associate with L’Os. At the same time, it’s important for us that every location reflects that same spirit and feeling. The goal isn’t for each place to develop a completely different character, but rather to recreate the same atmosphere and experience that people know and love. In fact, a large majority of our clients follow us to the different locations, which shows how strong that connection is. Sharing good moments and delicious food is something meant for everyone, and as long as we stay true to our image and values, each location can offer that same familiar experience while still fitting beautifully into its surroundings and remaining unmistakably L’Os.
What inspired you personally to become part of the family business rather than pursuing a completely different career path?
To be honest, when I was younger, I didn’t see myself joining the family business in hospitality. I knew how demanding it could be—long hours, weekends, and special occasions often meant little personal or family time. Growing up, I loved being full of life and having freedom, so it didn’t seem like the right path for me at the time. But as I matured, I began to truly appreciate what my grandfather had built—an incredible legacy and a real empire. That’s when I realized how special it would be to carry forward his vision. I chose to give my all to the business, not only to carry forward his dream but also to evolve it in a way that respects both the brand’s heritage and a balanced, fulfilling approach to work and life.
If you had to describe the spirit of L’Os in three words, what would they be and why?
If I had to describe the spirit of L’Os in three words, I would say: warmth, family celebrations, and consistency. Warmth — because every guest instantly feels at home, embraced with genuine care and attention from the moment they walk in. Family Celebrations — because L’Os has always been a place where people come together to honor life’s most meaningful moments—whether it’s a birthday, an engagement, a baptism, or a wedding—creating memories that linger long after the day ends. Consistency — because the quality of our food, service, and hospitality has remained unwavering across generations, ensuring that every visit delivers the same unmistakable L’Os experience. These words capture the essence of the experience my grandfather and father built, and that I am proud to carry forward today—sharing the same sense of home, joy, and connection with every guest who walks through our doors.
As part of the new generation, have you introduced any new ideas or concepts that reflect a modern approach to hospitality?
Being part of the new generation, I naturally bring a different perspective to the way we approach hospitality at L’Os. While the essence of the restaurant remains rooted in the traditions my family built over the past 60 years, I believe it’s important to adapt to the expectations of today’s guests.
One of the main areas where I’ve introduced a more modern approach is in communication and branding. My generation grew up with social media, so we understand how powerful it is in building a connection with people. We’ve focused much more on our digital presence, using platforms like Instagram to showcase our dishes, the atmosphere of the restaurant, and the story behind L’Os. It allows us to reach a younger audience while still keeping our loyal clientele engaged.
At the same time, I try to bring a younger energy and spirit into the experience we offer our guests. Hospitality today is not only about good food, it’s about creating a vibrant atmosphere and making people feel part of something special when they walk through our doors.
From a management perspective, my education and background also pushed me to implement a stronger organizational structure within the restaurant. We’ve worked on improving internal management, team coordination, and operational systems to ensure consistency and professionalism in every aspect of the business.
For me, the goal is to combine the legacy of L’Os with a modern vision, bringing fresh energy, stronger branding, and a structured management approach, while always respecting the values that made our restaurant what it is today.
Hospitality is about creating memorable moments. What kind of experience do you want guests to feel when they visit L’Os?
For me, the experience at L’Os should feel much more than just going out for a meal. From the moment guests arrive, I want them to feel welcomed, comfortable, and part of something special. Hospitality has always been at the heart of our family business, and that sense of genuine warmth is something we’ve preserved for more than 60 years.
What I hope guests feel is a combination of authenticity and emotion. Many of our clients have been coming to L’Os for years and sometimes even generations of the same family and that creates a very unique atmosphere. It’s a place where people celebrate birthdays, business meetings, family dinners, or simply enjoy a good meal together. Being part of those moments is something very meaningful for us.
At the same time, we want the experience to feel lively and memorable. The quality of the food, the attention to detail in the service, the ambiance of the restaurant, and the energy of the team all play a role in creating that feeling. My goal is that when guests leave L’Os, they don’t just remember the dishes they ate, but the overall experience, the atmosphere, the warmth, and the sense that they were truly taken care of.
Ultimately, I want people to feel that L’Os is a place they can always come back to, whether it’s for a special occasion or simply to enjoy a moment that feels genuine and memorable.
The restaurant industry can be challenging, especially in Lebanon. What motivates you to keep pushing forward and growing the brand?
The restaurant industry is challenging everywhere, but in Lebanon it comes with a very unique set of difficulties. As we all know, the country has faced many internal, political, financial, and even security challenges, especially over the past six years. Almost every year something new happens, and this instability naturally affects businesses, including the hospitality sector.
One of the most difficult consequences has been seeing many talented and qualified Lebanese leave the country to build their careers abroad. Lebanon has always had incredible people in the hospitality industry, and losing that talent is something we all feel.
Despite all of this, what keeps me motivated is my deep attachment to Lebanon, to our culture, and to the spirit of hospitality that defines us. Lebanese cuisine and hospitality are known all over the world, and being able to continue this family legacy through L’Os is something that gives me both responsibility and pride.
For me, pushing forward is also a way of believing in the country and in its future. Even during difficult times, restaurants remain places where people come together, celebrate, and create moments of joy. That’s something very powerful.
I truly believe Lebanon has extraordinary potential, and like many people of my generation, I remain hopeful that the best days for our country are still ahead. Until then, we continue doing what we do best like welcoming people, sharing our culture, and keeping the spirit of Lebanese hospitality alive.
What is one signature dish at L’Os that you believe truly represents the soul of the restaurant and the family heritage?
If there is one dish that truly represents the soul of L’Os and our family heritage, it would definitely be our garlic bread. It might sound like a simple dish, but over the past 60 years it has become one of the most iconic signatures of the restaurant.
In fact, when people hear the name L’Os, one of the first things that often comes to mind is the garlic bread. It has been on our menu since the very beginning, and today nearly every table orders it. Many of our regular guests even say that a visit to L’Os is simply not complete without it.
What makes it truly special is that the recipe has remained exactly the same for decades. It’s a very closely guarded family recipe that has been passed down from one generation to another. In fact, there are only about five people who know exactly how it is prepared. That secrecy is part of the tradition, and it’s something we take great pride in preserving.
Over the years, generations of guests have shared this dish at our tables, and it has become something people immediately associate with the L’Os experience. It’s also quite unique, as very few Lebanese restaurants traditionally have garlic bread as a signature item on their menu.
In many ways, that dish perfectly reflects the spirit of L’Os simple, authentic, full of history, and deeply connected to our family tradition.
Looking ahead, what is your vision for the future of L’Os and the next chapter of the family business?
Looking ahead, my vision for L’Os is to honor the incredible legacy my family has built over the past 60 years, while guiding the restaurant into an exciting new chapter. Our history is something I deeply respect, and it continues to inspire everything we do today.
For the future, we aim to expand carefully, bringing the same authentic L’Os experience to more people, while maintaining the warmth, quality, and attention to detail that have made the restaurant a beloved institution. Whether it’s through new locations or other initiatives, our goal is to ensure that every guest enjoys the same sense of family, tradition, and hospitality that defines L’Os.
Most importantly, I want the restaurant to remain a place where memories are created—where families and friends can gather, celebrate, and enjoy moments that stay with them long after they leave. My hope is that L’Os continues to be a symbol of Lebanese hospitality and culture for generations to come, growing thoughtfully while staying true to its roots.
