Denise McCann is a global winepreneur having travelled to over 30 countries in as many years. Currently living in Tokyo after a 4-year stint in Singapore, purveying the culture, sights, sounds and tastes (and tipples) of the internationally inspired orient with her husband, Patrick.
They describe themselves as wine connoisseurs, restaurant gourmands, art lovers and gallivanters! They own and manage a luxury holiday retreat in wine country In Victoria, Australia called TS Valley Villa Luxury Retreat.
Denise seeks out local luxe dining experiences with each culinary experience documented in her exquisite journalistic voice, although this Australian couple are more than inquisitive to get out from the high street and experience hawker dishes, and any concoction of street food available across South East Asia and beyond. In Denise's words, "It’s all about people, place and produce." Image Credit: Restaurant Ode
I love a hidden door. Before we even walked in we were excited. Greeted by name - tick. Temperature checked and hands disinfected - tick. The door swung open and there was the welcoming committee - tick, tick, tick. This is now the “new norm” for rock-star treatment.
A sleek stone-grey - and impressive - fit out that only seats 14 people. The prep station is in full view and chock full of the freshest ingredients that Chef/Owner Yuseke Namai uses to deliver a menu steeped in French tradition. The omakase menu is simple, elegant and outrageously delicious.
Described as “???ball” on the menu (yes they use 3 question marks), the signature dish is an iced lobster bisque ball with an explosion of flavour in your mouth!
Indescribable! The just-in-season young corn “dog” with corn chowder was also incredible as was the Japanese grilled pork with ume (a plum looking fruit that is actually related more to an apricot) topped with two tiny Szechuan peppercorns.
It was an extremely well balanced dish. And the wine pairings were lovely: Blanc de Blanc Champagne, a Bandol (that uses varieties of Bourboulenc, Clairette and Ugni Blanc), a Burgundian Chardonnay and a 2008 Cote de Beaune Pinot Noir - just to name a few!
Ode is the triple treat of people, place and produce. It was exceptional. With its one Michelin star and ranked 35th in Asia’s 50 best restaurants, we were wowed by the experience.
a. 2F 5-1-32 Hiroo, Shibuya, Tokyo, Japan
ABOUT FOUNDER WOMEN OF WINE
Denise’s passion is wine and hospitality! She has over 25 years of corporate hospitality experience. She is a qualified WSET UK Sommelier, wine educator, events management specialist, bespoke luxury wine tour operator, international wine tourism specialist, writer and public speaker. Denise is passionate about the wine industry and has travelled extensively to wine regions around the world to hone her craft and share her skills and experience. She has run her own wine events company Women Of Wine since 2007. Since embarking on the expat life back in 2016, Denise has thoroughly enjoyed the consumer side of discovering, experiencing and writing about the food and wine scenes in Asia.
