The River District is home to many cafés and eateries, all independently owned, offering treats and eats of all kinds. To highlight some of the local fares, we at the River District have identified one common offering; Enter The Scone.
Scones are a humble food hailing from across the pond. The exact origin can’t be pinpointed but the first known print reference was in 1513 by a Scottish poet. The basic recipe calls for nothing more than grain, fat, and milk, but customization options are endless. Family recipes have been handed down for generations, and variations can now be found worldwide. Enjoyed sweet or savoury, at breakfast or teatime, this diverse fan favourite is a royal among the River District.
Now we call on you, to determine which River District scone reigns supreme (at least for this year and based on one flavour per business). We undertook the arduous task of searching out these scones and reviewing them so you can best plan your attack when trying them yourself. It’s now up to you, go out and savour the scones listed below and judge for yourself. Come back and vote for the Owen Sound River District Best Scone.
On top of having an excuse to try all these incredible scones, every vote will be entered into a draw for a $100 River District Gift Certificate, PLUS when you tag your favourite scone business on social media (make sure to also tag @RiverDistrictOS) you’ll receive a ballot into a draw for another $100 River District Gift Certificate.
So, support your local businesses, go out and buy a scone, take a picture, tag the business, tag @RiverDistrictOS and vote with the button below!
For full contest rules please see the bottom of the page.
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Birgit’s Bakery Café
Garlic & cheese are a classic combination, and there is a reason for that. This scone hits all the notes of those flavours while also bringing a delicate texture, sensational melted cheese crunch, and wonderful mouthfeel.
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DeJong Acres
Anita has been bringing this scone to the Farmers’ Market for years and it’s always a top seller. There is a reason for tha,t and it’s the consistency that she shows in the quality of these scones. My first taste of the Raspberry White Chocolate scone was in 2022 and the quality and flavour are as on point this year as last. In fact, even the photos taken look incredibly similar.
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Frog Ponds Café
I wasn’t sure what to expect with a spinach parmesan scone. Spinach, to me, says salad, and that, to me, is healthy and should be fed to rabbits. I was wrong, so terribly wrong. This scone is bright and crumbly and hits all the right notes. The parmesan is exactly the good salty kick you want it to make. This scone immediately hit the savoury tone I was expecting but with a twist since parmesan is an unexpected choice on the more often used cheddar. The spinach brings down the salt and pairs exceptionally well with the parmesan by adding an earthy quality. Perfectly crispy on the outside with a touch of browned parmesan on the top, adding another texture to the flavour party. This scone also brings the right textures to the table with a crispier exterior and a more delicate and crumbly interior. This scone would pair well with red sauces and had me immediately reaching for a bowl of chili. I’m sure it would go with many other things, but I was so excited about the prospect of pairing this with a nice warm bowl of chili, and all other thoughts evaporated. |
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The Goods - Kitchen Pastry Coffee
Location: 158 9th Street E Owen Sound A flavour explosion! This scone will knock you right in the tastebuds! Filled with aged cheddar and rosemary, you will be woken up by the flavour blast. This scone is crumbly and delicate while also being incredibly cheesy. In fact, there is so much incredible aged cheddar in this scone it starts to come out the sides making for unbelievably browned, hardened cheesy bits. These alone should be added to the menu. On top of the aged cheddar and rosemary, they have added in some zucchini which adds a really delicate flavour but would account for the wonderful moisture in the dough. You can tell this scone was well-rested and assembled for peak delicateness. This scone would pair well with balsamic vinaigrette and fresh baby greens or for breakfast with some eggs or under an egg’s benny for a really bougie twist. |
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The Palette Café
Location: 938 2nd Avenue East, Owen Sound inside The Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts “When the word scone escapes your lips, this is what is pictured. Close your eyes, and you can see this scone served up fresh and warm on a long wooden dining table. Presented on mismatched antique dinnerware with fresh whipped butter or crème fraiche and fruit collected from the family farm that morning. This is a recipe that would have been handed down for generations. Simple, humble, and to the point, there is nothing fussy about this scone, and it delivers on every single expectation.” This was written by me in 2022, and somehow, Marnie has managed to hit that mark again, and this time with a different scone flavour! Dates are naturally sweet, earthy, and rich; the addition of orange brightens all the flavours cutting through some of the richness and making for the perfect pairing. The inside of the scone is delicate and light with the perfect crumble, and it’s so moist it doesn’t need the accompanying butter, although it is a delicious addition provided by the café. The crumble on the top is made of cinnamon sugar and almonds, which just adds interest and plays on the exotic flavours of the date. This scone would pair well with a nice double cream or any delicately flavoured pairing. |
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Sugar Dust
Location: 271 9th Street East, Owen Sound The team at Sugar Dust has magical baking powers. This isn’t new information as their baked goods often sell out before the end of business day. This scone is spring, it’s bright and tart, and sweet wrapped in a stunning package. It tastes just as good as it looks, and this is why it was the 2022 winner. Back for another year, Sugar Dust hopes their award-winning scone brings the love again. Breaking this scone open and taking a bite you are immediately met with the tartness brought forth by both the lemon and the cranberry this tartness hits the tastebuds right at the back making your mouth water and then the sweetness balances everything out. The texture is crunchy on the outside and perfectly crumbly and soft on the inside. Soft, fresh, and bright, and exactly how you would picture a beautiful spring morning. This scone would pair nicely with whipped cream and a light beverage. |
Full contest rules:
You don't need to make a purchase, but it's a really good excuse to eat a bunch of scones!
1 vote per person, so share the contest so other people vote too
Tag @RiverDistrict on social media so we get notified of your social media entry
Posts on social media must be set to public so we can see and share them
We reserve the right to use your shared pictures for promotional purposes once tagged (related to this contest only). If you would like to send a high-resolution version please email riverdistrict@owensound.ca
You must include your contact information on the voting platform, but it will only be used to contact you should you win the contest and not for any other purposes
The contest closes on April 30th at 11:59 p.m.
Winners will be drawn and contacted on May 1st
