Castle Hills Market in San Antonio is adding two locally owned restaurants, Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen, as the shopping center continues to build momentum with independent operators. Kobalt Investment Company announced the additions, which follow the arrival of independent bookseller Book Nerd over the past year. The move matters because it shows how retail centers are increasingly relying on local, chef-driven and family-owned concepts to create a sense of community and differentiate themselves from generic commercial strips.
Thai Bird, a chef-driven Thai restaurant from James Beard Award–nominated Chef and Founder David Gilbert and co-owner Kristin Alvarez, will open at 2211 NW Military Highway, Suite 121. The location will offer dine-in, takeout, delivery, catering and a curated wine program. The restaurant is known for bold Thai-inspired flavors, signature Thai Rotisserie Chicken, Jumbo Tenders and gluten-free ingredients. It was recognized by San Antonio Magazine as one of its 2026 Best New Restaurants and named Best New Restaurant by CultureMap San Antonio readers in 2024. More information is available at thaibirdrestaurant.com.
“Castle Hills immediately felt like a natural next neighborhood for Thai Bird,” Alvarez said. “There is such a strong sense of community here. We want Thai Bird to be the kind of neighborhood place where you can stop in for lunch, bring the family for dinner, grab a bottle of wine on the way home or simply become one of our regulars.” Gilbert added that the concept was inspired by his experiences in Thailand and a love for bold flavors, with the goal of combining those flavors with the comfort of a neighborhood restaurant.
Viva Kitchen – Mexican Heritage brings a different kind of local story. It is the newest chapter in a family journey that began in 1994 with Los Hijos de Juan in Mexico, continued in Texas with Takikos in 2017 and a food truck in 2023. Its menu 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. “Our journey began in 1994 with our family’s first restaurant, and Viva Kitchen is the next chapter. We want it to feel like an extension of the family table – a place where people gather, conversations last a little longer, celebrations are shared and new memories are created.” The restaurant’s website is vivakitchensa.com.
Ginnie McCorkle, Chief Financial Officer of Kobalt Investment Company, said the local heritage of the operators is a key draw. “Between Book Nerd’s arrival over the past year and now Thai Bird and Viva Kitchen joining us, there’s a real sense of community here,” McCorkle said. “What excites us most is the local heritage these operators bring – they’re exactly the kind of neighborhood businesses we want to see thrive at Castle Hills.”
The implications extend beyond two new restaurant openings. For Kobalt Investment Company, a Dallas-based retail property investment firm founded in 2022 that acquires, leases and manages shopping centers across Texas and the southwestern U.S., the additions demonstrate a leasing strategy focused on independent, community-oriented tenants. That approach can help retail centers maintain stable occupancy and create a distinct identity in a competitive market. For San Antonio diners, the arrivals expand access to locally owned options that emphasize heritage, hospitality and a sense of place. Additional details about the company are available at kobaltinvestco.com.
