Dining recap: Daniel Calvert’s Chez Calvert plans and Yu Chocolatier’s 11th-anniversary collection

The following is a review of important news in Taiwan and Japan’s restaurant scene from July 13 to 19, 2026, covering celebrity chefs’ store opening plans, brand anniversary plans, and the closing and transformation dynamics of many Taipei restaurants. Since the original news was released on July 20, many of the dates mentioned in the article are now in the past tense.

Sézanne chef Daniel Calvert’s personal restaurant plans announced at the time

Daniel Calvert, the executive chef of Sézanne, a three-star restaurant in Tokyo, announced at the time that he was scheduled to open his first personal restaurant "Chez Calvert" in Azabudai Hills, Minato-ku, Tokyo on October 1, located on the second floor of Residence B in the park. Calvert was born in England and worked in three-Michelin-starred kitchens such as Per Se in New York and Epicure in Paris. He later led Belon in Hong Kong to rank fourth on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants. In 2021, he opened Sézanne at the Four Seasons Hotel Marunouchi in Tokyo. In 2024, he won the first place on Asia's 50 Best Restaurants and three Michelin stars. In 2025, he won the seventh place on the World's 50 Best Restaurants. The plan to open an independent store was announced after he joined the Japanese catering company EatMe Group in October 2025.

What are the new flavors of Yu Chocolatier’s 11th anniversary limited chocolate gift box?

Yu Chocolatier, a premium chocolate brand, launched a limited-edition sandwich chocolate gift box for its 11th anniversary, which included four new creations: Kumquat and Kaoliang Liquor, Lemon Tarragon, Sichuan Pepper and Longan Honey, and Tieguanyin tea from mature bushes, continuing the brand's route of incorporating Taiwanese tea, wine and spicy ingredients into French sandwich chocolates. Yu Chocolatier was founded in Taipei's Da'an District in 2015 by Yu-hsuan Cheng. He studied at the Ferrandi culinary school in Paris, and gained experience at Michelin three-star restaurant Pavillon Ledoyen and famous chocolate shop Jacques Genin. In 2016, he won the World Chocolate Competition, and his work was also selected as the presidential inauguration state banquet dessert.

Which Taipei restaurants announced their closure or transformation at that time?

Coast, a contemporary Thai cuisine restaurant, announced at the time that it was scheduled to temporarily end operations on August 16, 2026. It had previously launched a 6th anniversary limited retrospective menu "Classics of all time", which reproduces 10 representative dishes since its opening; the brand said at the time that the next step in the original space is expected to be announced in August. Inari Izakaya, an izakaya in Xinyi District, confirmed at that time that it was scheduled to be closed until August 31. It had previously launched a limited-time farewell plan. Asia49 Asian Cuisine and Lounge in Banqiao, New Taipei City, announced at that time that it was scheduled to end operations on August 16, 2026, and the Café buffet restaurant on the 50th floor of the same building was originally scheduled to be open until September 30. The industry stated that due to changes in the market environment, it wanted to focus resources on its core business, and the future direction of the two floors had not been finalized at that time. Taipei Zhongshan Local Local has completed its renovation and transformed from a "daytime coffee party" to a "Zai Chi Chiang Mai Tea Room". It was originally scheduled to extend its business hours and add a new dinner time from August.

What impact will the first shipment of Paraguayan poultry meat have on the Taiwan market?

Paraguayan president Santiago Peña posted on the social platform at the time that the first batch of 150 metric tons of Paraguayan poultry meat had been sealed and shipped to Taiwan. Paraguay is Taiwan's only diplomatic country in South America. Beef and pork have been sold to Taiwan for many years. Taiwan is Paraguay's largest export market for pork and the third largest export market for beef. At that time, Taiwan's poultry imports came from about 13 countries, with the United States being the largest. Domestic chicken farmers believed that imported chicken was mostly used for processed products and was separated from the local meat market, so the impact was expected to be limited.

What other restaurant news at that time are worth paying attention to?

Draft Land, a draft cocktail brand, announced at that time that it was scheduled to open its third branch in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong in early August, which would be the brand’s first location outside Hong Kong Island. Taipei Regent Hotel Sanyi Honjia and Crystal Hotel Beitou Sanyi Beitou have joined hands with the Taiwan Eel Development Foundation to promote local eels. The event was originally scheduled until the end of July. Kikukawa, a specialty Japanese eel rice restaurant, launched a limited-time offer from July 26 to 28, and simultaneously launched a summer eel double feast set meal originally scheduled until August 31. Lexuan Wagyu specialty store was entering its tenth anniversary at that time and launched a new brand image and menu revision. The Banggu team in Taichung has established a new brand Breadlance, focusing on long-fermented European-style bread; a new brand Bakerhood in Taipei East District has begun trial operation, positioning itself as a community bakery. Taipei Shilin Intro Kitchen has restarted its monthly private-booking programme. In Japan, Nissin Foods launched the first Cup Noodle for cold water in its 55 years of existence, which was originally scheduled to be sold in Japan for a limited time starting from July 20; Japanese actor Mocomichi Hayami announced at that time that he would open a restaurant Noden. in Nijo, Kyoto. It was originally scheduled to open in August, with himself as the chef and representative; Asahi announced Matcha, a matcha drink that bubbles out of the can. At that time, he said that it was only planned to be sold in Japan, and the exact launch date has not yet been announced.