A bite was all I needed with the colossal chocolate covered strawberries. The sweet understated chocolate blended well with the tartness of the strawberry. The white peach buttermilk panna cotta with a snicker doodle on top was smooth and silky, but a bit too sweet for me. The cookie was sitting in the cooked cream for too long, so when my lips touched the drenched cookie, a painful shock went through my jaw. If the sugar was toned down just a bit, this dessert would get my endorsement. Each and every morsel of chocolate Best of the Bay had to offer was unique and enjoyable. The ones wrapped in individual plastic bags looked diminutive and weak but once you popped them into your mouth, an intense wave of rich chocolate engulfed the taste buds.  This little dandy lingered throughout the whole night.  Not only were the desserts seductively sweet and satisfying, the presentations were simple and elegant. I look forward to next year’s array of desserts, and I think I’ll take Ernestine Ulmer words to heart, “Life is uncertain. Eat dessert first.”

- Christina Tan 

ENTERTAINMENT :::

What gets “the suits” down and funky? A bar overflowing with free top-shelf booze never hurts getting even the most reserved wiggling, but there was something more at this years Best of the Bay.  The even bigger factor was the Afro-funk dance music that was blasted by the Kenyans, Sila and the Afrofunk Experience. With their energetic spirit and fancy foot work, the dance floor was bustling and hustling within the first song of their set. Sila featured drums that were so robust and rhythmic; it seemed as if my heart started to thump to its beat.  This was celebration music that made the audience throw up their hands and join along. While the throngs of grinning reflected this night of carefree eating, drinking, and spa indulgences – this was my highlight.   

 “Take a music bath once or twice a week for a few seasons, and you will find that it is to the soul what the water bath is to the body.” -Oliver Wendell Holmes

- Christina Tan 

One of the artistic highlights of Best of the Bay featured a live collaborative art production by Pacific Art Collective. Each artist painted, while attendees watched and made bids on what was unfolding. With contemporary urban style, these artists meticulously worked on their pieces throughout the entire evening, and it was incredible to see the process behind such a production.

My favorite artist’s work at the show was Shawn “AKO”Whisenant. His sloppy, mixed-media, multi-colored approach intertwined with detailed robotic cartoon-style characters gave his final composition something that really spoke to me.  Even though, I’m not sure his work has that intention.

Besides being on center stage while they created, the Pacific Art Collective’s work was displayed throughout the entire wooden warehouse. Artists like Reyes and Norm had an entire mural, and others had solo walls such as David DeRosa, displaying his ‘pop impressionistic’ style, and Tanja Nixx, who exhibited her paintings of abandonment and desolation.  They had a presence unlike other collectives, and definitely made a name for themselves amongst party guests.  Best of the Bay succeeded in bringing together this, and many of the other finest qualities San Francisco has to offer, and neither Fisherman’s Wharf nor the Golden Gate Bridge were to be seen.  This was the best kind of local event, a celebration amongst people who appreciate our city enough to live and work here (and anyone with a “ San Francisco ” sweatshirt on was barred at the door).

- Tony Wodarck

This was Christina, Tony, and Katie’s first SF Magazine’s, “Best of the Bay”

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