San Francisco’s Best Scones
published by eltondunn on Mar 30, 2012
Scones are a tricky breakfast treat. Done right, and the pillowy folds of butter crumble in your mouth. Done wrong and they taste like greasy hockey pucks. These four bakeshops have never left me disappointed.
Tartine 600 Guerrero St. (415) 487-2600
If it takes you a few visits to try their signature buttermilk scones cause you’re busy with croissants or morning buns, I understand. The scone looks understated in comparison. But when you do submit to the scone you’ll find its one of their best items. The low sugar a mound and use of buttermilk help keep the scones from being too sweet; when balanced by the zing of dried currants and crumbly, buttery taste of the dough you’ve got a sure winner. You must submit.
Arizmendi 1331 9th Ave. (and other) (415) 566-3117
Arizmendi’s scones come in corn-cherry, currant, oat and a daily scone that’s likely to include fresh fruit. These monster-sized scones make a full meal. Bring just a few to work, slice them in half or thirds, and you’re sure to make friends. The corn cherry is the most textural of the three, with gritty cornmeal balanced by the sweetness of dried cherries and the daily scone is usually quite good. Among their scones, the oat doesn’t hold up, lacking flavor.
Bakesale Betty 5098 Telegraph Ave., Oakland (and others) (510) 985-1213
Bakesale Betty’s pear ginger scones are something I’d travel across the bay for any day. Whenever I’m at Bakesale Betty I’ll add a scone or two to my order and freeze them so that later I can remember what love tastes like. They offer season fruit-based scones and you might find rhubarb or cranberry-orange in addition to standards apricot-almond, lemon raisin and the aforementioned pear ginger. I haven’t actually moved past the pear ginger because they’re so flavorful and moist while still being full of flaky butter.
Crown and Crumpet 207 Ghirardelli Square (415) 771-4252
Crown and Crumpet offers traditional English tea service. Its scones come as part of an afternoon tea along with tea sandwiches, crumpets and other such standards, or you can order them solo for breakfast. Buttermilk and currant scones are served with jam, lemon curd and clotted cream. The scones are pricier than the others listed, $9 for two warm breakfast scones, but if you want to make tea a special treat or if you’re missing clotted cream and other British finery, this is the place to go.
