Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
October 01, 2026
Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen Join Castle Hills Market in San Antonio
TLDR
- Kobalt adds Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen to Castle Hills Market, boosting local dining options and drawing more visitors to the San Antonio center.
- Kobalt Investment Company announced Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen will open at Castle Hills Market, adding two locally owned restaurants to the San Antonio retail center.
- Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen bring family recipes and community spirit to Castle Hills Market, creating welcoming spaces for neighbors to gather and connect.
- Thai Bird, a James Beard-nominated chef-driven restaurant, and Viva Kitchen, with 30 years of family recipes, are coming soon to Castle Hills Market in San Antonio.
Impact - Why it Matters
This news matters because it highlights the resilience and appeal of locally owned, chef-driven restaurants in an era dominated by national chains. Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen bring authentic, family-inspired cuisine to Castle Hills Market, enriching the neighborhood’s dining options and fostering a stronger sense of community. Their arrival, alongside Book Nerd, signals that independent businesses can thrive in well-managed retail centers like those owned by Kobalt Investment Company. For San Antonio food lovers, it means more diverse, high-quality dining choices close to home. For the retail industry, it demonstrates that strategic leasing to local operators can drive foot traffic and create vibrant, sustainable shopping destinations. As consumers increasingly seek unique, experiential dining, this move positions Castle Hills Market as a go-to destination, benefiting surrounding businesses and the local economy.
Summary
San Antonio’s Castle Hills Market is adding fresh culinary energy with two locally owned restaurants, Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen, according to an announcement from Kobalt Investment Company. The Dallas-based retail property investment firm, founded in 2022, revealed that both concepts will join the shopping center at 2211 NW Military Highway, following the recent arrival of independent bookseller Book Nerd. Ginnie McCorkle, CFO of Kobalt Investment Company, praised the new tenants for their local heritage and community focus, noting that they represent exactly the kind of neighborhood businesses the center wants to see thrive.
Thai Bird, a chef-driven concept from James Beard Award–nominated Chef David Gilbert and co-owner Kristin Alvarez, will offer dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering, and a curated wine program. Known for its bold Thai-inspired flavors, signature Thai Rotisserie Chicken, and gluten-free menu, the restaurant has already earned recognition as one of San Antonio Magazine’s 2026 Best New Restaurants and Best New Restaurant by CultureMap San Antonio readers in 2024. “Castle Hills immediately felt like a natural next neighborhood for Thai Bird,” Alvarez said, emphasizing the restaurant’s goal of being a welcoming neighborhood spot. Gilbert added that the new location allows Thai Bird to introduce its flavors to a new community while staying true to its roots. Learn more at thaibirdrestaurant.com.
Viva Kitchen – Mexican Heritage continues a family journey that began in 1994 with Los Hijos de Juan in Mexico, later expanding to Texas with Takikos in 2017 and a food truck in 2023. The family-owned restaurant draws on recipes inspired by family and Mexican tradition, guided by values of family, hospitality, authenticity, hard work, and respect for heritage. “Every family has recipes worth remembering – these are ours,” said Aldo Schiavon. “We want it to feel like an extension of the family table.” For more information, visit vivakitchensa.com. Kobalt Investment Company, which also manages The Hill in Dallas, continues to grow its portfolio across Texas and the southwestern U.S. More details at kobaltinvestco.com.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content distributed by Keycrew.co. Read the original source here, Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen Join Castle Hills Market in San Antonio
