RETAILING

Hassan’s--touted by its owners as Orange County’s only Lebanese restaurant--is celebrating its 15th anniversary on Aug. 31.

The Newport Beach restaurant was founded by Hassan Hassan, a former chef at two trendy Lebanese eateries in Los Angeles. A third-generation restaurateur, Hassan learned years ago that acquainting Orange County residents with shish kabob and kibbe be sinbeya (a baked, ground lamb dish) wasn’t a piece of cake.

“People weren’t ready for Middle Eastern restaurants yet,” he said of the early years.

Gradually, though, Hassan’s developed a steady clientele, and today there are two restaurants: The original on Newport Boulevard and another in Orange.

In fact, business looks so promising, Hassan said, that he is hoping eventually to open one or two others, in Dana Point or maybe the Laguna area.

One of his secrets? Creating specialties--like melted cheesecake with honey--about every other week. In fact, Hassan said, “if I don’t create a new dish every week or every other week, I feel guilty.”