Tacos and Tequila Fueling the Gaslamp’s New Volcano Rabbit

Set to reopen Friday, February 16 after temporarily shuttering last fall, the rebooted Don Chido is now called Volcano Rabbit. Named after a real animal — the world’s second-smallest rabbit which is native to Mexico — the restaurant from RMD Group (Rustic Root, Side Bar, Salvucci’s) has an all-new menu and bar program that positions it at as a fresh addition to the Gaslamp nightlife scene.

Reimagined by local firm Ocio Design Group to resemble a traditional Mexican hacienda with both playful and elegant touches, the Fifth Avenue restaurant’s menu revolves around tacos from executive chef Andre Alto that range from chili-rubbed octopus to seared ahi, sticky beef short rib and blackened-lime shrimp. And each month, Volcano Rabbit will rotate in a deluxe special taco; priced at $20, the over-the-top options will include baked lobster with katafi, poached quail egg, citrus aioli and sturgeon caviar; sea scallop with arancini cake, lemon coulis, crispy yam and bacon pop rock; and beef cheek with brioche toast, foie gras, marrow butter and mascarpone sauce. There are larger entrees too, such as a shareable meat board piled with carne asada, carnitas, a duck leg and more.

Bringing the party is menu of agave spirits menu that offers more than 175 selections from around the globe. Beyond craft cocktails, margarita variations and large-format drinks, the bar also has a bottle service program that includes a “mix-and-match” mini-bottle option which gives guests the choice of three mini spirits bottles from more than 30 options. And serious tequila collectors can even have their own tequila locker on-site, with memberships including discounted bottle pricing,

Volcano Rabbit will also host DJs every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; a weekly Saturday party brunch will feature build-your-own ceviche stations and brunch bottle service.