Welcome to
Knead Bakery
Fresh artisan bread, pastries & more made daily
Our Story
Nestled in the iconic Symphony Towers building in downtown San Diego, CA, Knead Bakery exudes warmth and welcomes you with open arms. Fresh from Knead Bakery, Chef Adrian is dedicated to offering a delightful array of treats just for you. From locally sourced fruit in our hand pies to the irresistible golden crunch of our croissants, there’s something to satisfy every craving.
Start your day with a quick morning coffee or a sweet treat as part of your routine, and don’t forget to grab a delicious lunch option on the go! Come in, say hello, and let us treat you to something truly special. Your support means the world to us, and we can’t wait to make your day a little sweeter!
Brian Lee and Adrian Mendoza Unite to Launch Knead: A New Culinary Gem in San Diego
University Club General Manager Brian Lee has teamed up with his former associate, Adrian Mendoza, a beloved San Diego pastry chef, to bring this delightful bakery to life. Adrian is excited to run the kitchen for the first time at Knead, building on his experience from Wayfarer Bread & Pastry, Herringbone, Herb & Wood, and Searsucker. Their collaboration is rooted in a strong partnership from their time working together under celebrity chef Brian Malarkey, making this venture even more meaningful!
Meet the Chef: Adrian Mendoza
Adrian Mendoza, a Southern California native, discovered his passion for cooking in high school, leading him to earn an Associate of Science degree in Culinary Arts. He began his career at Oceanaire Seafood Room under chef Brian Malarkey, then transitioned to pastry at The Red Pearl Kitchen. In 2009, he moved to Los Angeles to join Wolfgang Puck's CUT steakhouse, helped open B1 Breadshop, and honed his skills in France, focusing on bread and croissants.
After gaining invaluable experience working alongside Sherry Yard and Puck at Spago, Adrian reunited with Malarkey, serving as Director of Pastry at his renowned restaurants, including Herb and Wood and Animae. During the pandemic, he worked with Crystal White at Wayfarer Bread and Pastry. Currently, Adrian is the executive pastry chef at The University Club in Symphony Tower, where he is excited to develop Knead, a new bakery concept now open to delight the San Diego community.
Proudly Serving Talitha Coffee
When you arrive at Knead, you can expect an incredibly caring staff, delectably crafted pastries, and delicious grab-and-go options. But did you know that in every sip of coffee you take, you are a caffeinated advocate of human rights? Talitha Coffee is dedicated to ending human trafficking, supporting survivors, and ethically sourcing cofee to empower and honor the hardworking people who make your cup possible.
Cheers to our friends at Talitha Coffee Roasters, a coffee Knead is excited and honored to serve! We hope that you join us on this journey to making a difference, one cup at a time.
Partnership with the University Club and Jacobs Music Center
Knead and is the brain child of Executive Chef Adrian Mendoza and University Club General Manager Brian Lee. As Knead will now be baking all fresh product for the club, membership has never looked so good. We are also excited to partner with the Jacobs Music Center for the relaunch of the San Diego Symphony where you will see our amazing baked goods on display.
