The most challenging meal of the week for dining out?  Saturday lunch.  Few fine dining establishments are open, and a surprising number of casual places are dark as well.  I’m always on the lookout for tasty Saturday options, as I often find myself scurrying around town, running errands, without time to cook.  Now I can add La Thai (uptown New Orleans, 4938 Prytania St) to my Saturday lunch list.  Long a fixture on Metairie Road, La Thai moved uptown back in 2008 without missing a beat.  It’s open for lunch and dinner every day except Mondays.

La Thai even offers a full complement of 8-10 lunch specials on the weekends!  My luncheon-sized drunken noodles (pictured), thick with chicken, shrimp, and veggies, was ample enough to share.  Also from the lunch menu, stir-fried peppermint chicken positively sparkled on the plate thanks to the bright flavors of mint and holy basil.  The only disappointment was an overly sweet, pale massaman curry studded with sweet potatoes.

Skip dessert, and head down the block to St. James cheese company instead.  Cheese is better than dessert any day!