Reviewing September's Weekly F&B Dynamics: André Chiang's Eastern & Oriental Express Journey, Hābu's Anniversary Dessert Pop-Up Concludes, New York Taiwanese Restaurant 886 Closes and Transforms

Reviewing the weekly food and beverage news announced between August 31 and September 6, 2026, several limited-time pop-up events and projects concluded successively throughout September. The key contents and exact dates are provided to help readers understand the dynamics of the culinary scene during this period.

André Chiang Curated Eastern & Oriental Express Itinerary, Departing in Late September

Belmond's Eastern & Oriental Express previously announced that the "Tastes of Tomorrow" itinerary hosted by culinary curator André Chiang would depart from September 28 to October 1, 2026, for a three-night journey departing from Singapore and traveling to Malaysia. Centered around the theme of "Home," the trip connected Southeast Asian cuisine and spices through food and memories, with signature dishes including laksa-flavored bouillabaisse and sixteen-hour braised beef cheeks with nine-pepper sauce. According to official website information at the time, the itinerary started at 9,250 US dollars per person, with actual prices varying depending on room type and season.

Taipei W Hotel's Seasons by olivier e. Celebrates Third Anniversary

Located on the 10th floor of the Taipei W Hotel, the modern French restaurant Seasons by olivier e. opened in September 2023 and entered its third anniversary in September 2026. The restaurant's founder and French chef Olivier Elzer personally presided over the venue that month, introducing limited-edition dishes and conducting live cooking demonstrations. Olivier Elzer previously worked at restaurants under Joël Robuchon and Pierre Gagnaire. After founding his personal brand in Hong Kong in 2014, he earned a Michelin star in less than a year. Later, while serving as the culinary director of The St. Regis Hong Kong, his venue L'Envol was elevated to two Michelin stars.

Kaohsiung Hābu Anniversary Project "Autumn Equinox - Four Tastes of Life Notes" Concluded

Hābu, a Kaohsiung contemporary Han-style restaurant that earned its first star in the 2026 Taiwan Michelin Guide, previously launched an anniversary project titled "Autumn Equinox - Four Tastes of Life Notes," a three-day plated dessert pop-up event led by pastry chef Dan. The event translated traditional herbal philosophy and the four life flavors of "sour, sweet, bitter, and spicy" into plated desserts. The event took place on September 24 and 25 from 13:30 to 15:30, and on September 26 across two sessions (13:00 to 15:00, and 15:30 to 17:30). Reservations opened and were filled on September 5, and the event has now concluded.

New York Taiwanese Culinary Pioneer 886 Closes, Transforming into an IP Brand

Founded by chefs Eric Sze and Andy Chuang, the New York Taiwanese restaurant 886 announced its closure. Named after Taiwan's country code +886, its final night was crowded with loyal patrons. The two founders were previously selected for Forbes' 30 Under 30 Food & Drink in 2021, and 886 was also listed by Eater and Time Out as one of the representative Taiwanese restaurants in the East Village. The management stated that in the future, 886 will transform into an IP brand, occasionally hosting pop-up events and launching co-branded merchandise, while no longer maintaining a physical storefront.

What Other Limited-Time Events Took Place in Taipei During September?

Taipei Grand Formosa Regent's Brasserie and Hotel Indigo Taipei North's Market Café collaborated from September 4 to 28 to launch the "Mid-Autumn Grand Barbecue Feast - Asian Barbecue Festival," spanning Taiwanese, Japanese, Korean, and Thai grilled dishes. Weekend meal periods featured extra grilled items at no additional cost, and the event concluded at the end of September. Norwegian coffee brand Fuglen took over Huashan on September 12 and 13 to participate in Mr. Living's tenth-anniversary exhibition "A Decade Without Compromise," launching a two-day limited Coffee Set with dessert brand Double V priced at 400 Taiwan dollars per set, limited to 20 sets per day with advance registration required; this event has also concluded. Japanese tea brand Wataru traveled to Hong Kong's The Baker & The Bottleman for its first-ever three-day pop-up from September 24 to 26, bringing matcha, hojicha, and fruit tea beverages, and the pop-up has now ended. Dew coffee, located near the Taipei Botanical Garden, launched its fourth-quarter autumn menu in September, scheduled to be served until the end of November as originally planned. It features six altitude-matched single-cup specialty drinks during the day and a three-course reservation-only evening set menu titled "Autumn Soil" priced at 1,200 Taiwan dollars per set.

What Events Are Worth Noting Before the End of the Year?

The annual bread event "Bon Pain Bread Festival" is scheduled to be held from October 31 to November 1 at the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall Zhongshan Cultural Park. This year's theme is "Sourdough Life," expected to gather nearly 100 brands, 50 of which are baking brands. In Hong Kong, Louis Vuitton's flagship store at K11 Musea in Tsim Sha Tsui is currently applying for a liquor license for its in-store dining operations, expected to open by the end of 2026, at which point it will feature Hong Kong's first Le Café and LV The Place Hong Kong. Japanese specialty coffee brand %Arabica also previously announced it would open its first store at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia, though the exact opening date had not been announced as of the original report's publication.