In 1973, Penn alum Weaver Lilley and his friends, disheartened by the Vietnam War, decided to scrap their jobs and open a restaurant. 38 years later, Friday Saturday Sunday is still in full swing as one of Philadelphia’s oldest and most–loved restaurants.
Step into this corner spot and your eyes adjust to the dim glow provided by a twinkling string of lights. With an intimate size, comfortable seating and a moderately chatty atmosphere, the space is an ideal location for a date — whether a first or a 30th. The inspiration seemingly French, mussels ($17), chicken pate ($12), baguette–style bread, dishes topped with creme fraiche and an incredibly extensive and reasonably priced wine list grace the menu. Thanks to Weaver’s own appreciation for wine, Friday Saturday Sunday allows BYO, too, and does not charge a corking fee.
Portions are big — “small plates” can easily satisfy a less ambitious eater. The menu changes seasonally — butternut squash ravioli, Thanksgiving–style hen and potato gratin appear this autumn.
To start, we ordered the chicken pate and the restaurant’s signature cream of mushroom soup ($10). The pate was served alongside sweet and salty garnishes — gherkins, mustard and capers — that complemented the also salty flavor of the pate. This innovation impressed us, previously accustomed to a more traditional version.
I’m a mushroom lover, so the soup hit the spot. Not overly creamy, the mushroom flavor stood out thanks to finely chopped pieces supported by the chicken broth base.
From the small plates, we chose the mussels, which were served with sausage, scallions, angel hair pasta and tomato. Though the flavor was tasty and we finished the dish, the mussels did not distinguish themselves as the pate did. But, if you’re looking for something safe and more traditional, this is a good dish to try.
Given the wide selection of entrees, we had a difficult time deciding — each dish seemed to carry its own flair. The horseradish–panko crusted tilapia ($24), recommended both by Weaver and a friend who had visited the restaurant before, absolutely amazed. A perfect amount of crunchiness offered a sweet contrast to the cilantro–lime sauce base and enhanced the otherwise simple fish. We’d recommend this to pescetarians and those skeptical of seafood. The hen ($25) contained a warm, nutty stuffing, topped with what we determined to be an apple gravy. Just as the waitress had promised us, the dish was like a Thanksgiving meal all on one plate.
Too full for dessert — though the list looked delicious — we left Friday Saturday Sunday and enjoyed a brisk walk home, bellies happy.
Friday Saturday Sunday 261 South 21st Street (215) 546–4232 $$$$$ Don’t miss: the Tilapia Skip: Mussels
