Mr. Kung and I talked in the airy, all-white Museum of Tomorrow cafe of URS 21 Chung Shan Creative Hub, a former tobacco warehouse that now houses a gallery and affordable studios for young fashion designers.

WSJ: In Taipei, Taiwan, Life in the Slow Lane

It all started with Rose Bakery -- the bastion of the UK cafe scene in Paris -- which kicked off the trend for casual, homely fare with a British accent back in 2002, when their first branch opened in the south Pigalle area (46 rue des Martyrs, 9e, 01-42-82-12-80).

BBC: British cafes win favour in Paris

All were sons of the cafe owner, Mohammed al-Khishali -- killed in a car bombing that ripped apart the cafe in 2007.

CNN: 6 years later, progress and doubts are legacy of Iraq war

The most egregious example of all was the eccentric fashion designer, John Galliano, who shocked many by spilling vitrol in a Paris cafe.

FORBES: Say What?! The Impact of Words on the Workplace