Escape the holiday shopping crowds, the weather, the economy, the health care debate, endless traffic snarls due to road construction, the noise of the upcoming NOLA mayoral election and all other forms of unpleasantness:  skip out to lunch at Restaurant August.  RA offers a three-course prix-fixe lunch special for $20.09.  Pick from appetizers like frisee & crispy pied de veau, topped with a poached yard egg & truffled vinagrette, shrimp bisque with shrimp & mirliton dumplings; entrees including lentils cooked with bacon and duck fat (pictured), shrimp & okra stew, and acorn-squash mezzaluna; and desserts like chocolate-stuffed pastry fritters or fresh cheese crepes.

Restaurant August’s (301 Tchoupitoulas St, New Orleans, LA, 504.299.9777) lunch special runs Mondays thru Fridays.