Sadelle’s Dallas is redefining the family dining experience with its newly launched three-course kids menu. Head chef and creator of the menu, Kieth Potter, believes in crafting meals that not only satisfy but also create lasting memories for families. “With this menu, we wanted to level-set a children's dining experience in our restaurant market,” he says. “We wanted to offer the community an opportunity to build family traditions around elevated dining out.”
Nestled in the bustling Highland Park Village, Sadelle’s is already a hot spot for everything from a quick coffee to a decadent meal in its stunning dining room. With so many families frequenting the area, it was the perfect opportunity to create a kids menu that feels upscale and inviting, bridging the gap between what kids typically experience and what adults enjoy.
The development of the kids menu was a meticulous process. “Any menu debut in Major Food Group is carefully considered,” Potter explains. As a father of two young children, Potter was the perfect chef for the job, as he understands the importance of balancing indulgence, nutrition and a meal that keeps everyone engaged.
“We’ve offered items that my kids, and other kids, love but also things that I actually want my kids to eat,” Potter says. “I want my children to sit still long enough so I can enjoy a three-course meal, and by engineering the menu in the way that we have with the items that are listed on it, we've created that.”
One aspect that sets this menu apart is the focus on high-quality ingredients. “Nutrition was naturally woven into the menu,” Potter says. “It's easy to pick anything on the menu and have nutrition be at the forefront of that preparation—hormone and antibiotic-free chicken breast; burgers ground fresh daily; hummus made in-house; all the bread is baked fresh daily.”
At Sadelle’s, dining is not just about the food; it's about the entire experience. From its colorful banquette seating to its toile-covered walls, the restaurant is a feast for the senses, boasting a vibrant atmosphere filled with unique decor that captivates diners of all ages. “I think kids walk in and go, ‘I’ve never seen a restaurant that looks like this’—I know my kids have said the same,” Potter says, highlighting how the space itself is engaging to young guests.
To enhance the dining experience further, the entire staff is trained to connect with children on their level. Waiters—or “captains” at Sadelle’s—kneel down to a child’s height to introduce themselves, take their order, personally welcome them and even perform whimsical tableside dessert preparations. Adding an extra layer of fun, the physical menu includes an I-spy game and a sticker book, not to mention the chef hats they bring out for special occasions.
“As a dad, I love all of these tools because I really want to have tradition around the dinner table, much like I had as a young boy,” Potter reflects. “Those memories and restaurants that my parents took me to are what led me to become a chef later in life. And my goal with my children is to keep them off the screens long enough that my wife and I, and they, in turn, can enjoy an elevated dining experience.”
This September, Sadelle’s introduced its new menu with a fun event where kids got to roll pigs-in-a-blanket, and Potter notes more hands-on events and menu editions are to come. In an age where dining out can often feel rushed and transactional, Sadelle’s Dallas stands out as a beacon of thoughtful, engaging and elevated dining for children and their families.
“With this menu, we wanted to level-set a children's dining experience in our restaurant market. We wanted to offer the community an opportunity to build family traditions around elevated dining out.”