Nominated for Best Chef by the James Beard Foundation for his performance at San Antonio’s Sustenio at Éilan Hotel back in 2013, Chef David Gilbert is making a return to the city — and bringing along a new restaurant, Thai Bird.
Gilbert tells What Now San Antonio that Thai Bird will offer Thai-inspired fried and rotisserie chicken accompanied by a variety of dipping sauces, as well as a wine program.
The eatery will debut at Make Ready Market, a food hall at 203 8th Street. “Nestled between Broadway and the San Antonio River,” the market “features eats and treats from San Antonio’s epicurean notables and new voices at the table” — some of which include Four Brothers Venezuelan kitchen, Pescado Bravo, and Austin-based concept Tiny Pies.
Longtime San Antonio locals may remember Gilbert’s previous restaurant, Tuk Tuk Taproom, where he also dished out Thai street fare — a cuisine he studied while traveling throughout Thailand and studying under M.L. Sirichalerm Svasti, or Chef McDang.
According to a recently submitted license application, the “interior finish out” to prepare the 393-square-foot space for Thai Bird will begin on June 1 and be completed by September 1 — and the eatery is slated to open sometime this fall.
In the meantime, follow Thai Bird on Instagram for additional updates.
