‘Sorry to surprise,’ Boise restaurant closes, refunds gift cards, changes owners
A boutique restaurant on the Boise Bench has closed, but a fresh concept is on the way.
White Rabbit, 4 N. Latah St., has changed hands and shuttered, according to a note on its Instagram page. The message, which was posted next to a photo of owners Sarah and David “DK” Kelly, said that the property and restaurant were sold to Wylder Hospitality Group.
Wylder operates several brands across the area, including The Wylder, Percy, Certified Bakery + Kitchen, The Roosevelt Market and Wyld Child in Boise, and Rosa in Garden City.
Launched in 2024 with an emphasis on shared plates, White Rabbit was a “fine-casual dining” project for the married couple, who previously operated French-inspired Petite 4 in the space.
“It was always our goal to build our place up to eventually sell it, and that time has come,” White Rabbit wrote.
“We are sorry to surprise with such suddenness, but this is a plan that has been in motion for months. We kept this secret to keep our drama out of our dining room and not subject our staff to constant questioning, so that we could keep the vibe of our place static and lively.”
Gift cards purchased since Nov. 1 have been refunded, the restaurant wrote in another post, adding: “Sorry we spoiled Christmas presents.” Instructions about how to receive refunds for gift cards bought prior to that date are provided on White Rabbit’s website.
The former White Rabbit — located kitty-corner to Wyld Child — will be reopened as a still unnamed new restaurant, said David Rex, managing partner of Wylder Hospitality Group.
The concept hasn’t been decided, Rex said. “Right now, we are making handmade pastas and focaccia sandwiches in our R&D kitchen,” he said. “It can change.”
The restaurant is only 37 seats, he explained, “so it’s a little tricky.”
Either way, the target date for opening is February.
“The real draw to that restaurant is the patio’s really cool,” Rex added. “So I want to make the patio cool for spring, summer, early fall.”