Florida stone crab season kicked off last Friday, and I was lucky enough to sample the first batch at Truluck’s—it’s as fresh as it gets, served chilled with lemon and the restaurant’s signature sauce (if you can wait until Monday, that's when you can score the buy-one-get-one-half-off deal.) The newly revamped space also shines with seafood favorites such as miso sea bass with crab-fried rice, crispy calamari, and lobster bisque, along with a lineup of expertly grilled steaks. Don’t leave without a slice of the iconic carrot cake.

This Miami-born chain is giving Houston’s burger scene a Latin twist worth seeking out. Skip the bun and sink your teeth into the Toston Burger—stacked with juicy beef, provolone, lettuce, tomato, and creamy cilantro sauce between two crispy fried plantains. With multiple locations, Pincho makes it easy to level up your burger game. For other top-notch burgers, check out Houstonia’s burger guide.

If there’s one cocktail that lingers on my mind, it’s this one. Shaken with Ketel One vodka, crème de cacao, vanilla, matcha, and heavy cream, it offers a lush, green tea–forward alternative to the ever-popular espresso martini. Enjoy it out on the bar’s charming patio, and you’ll see why this Heights spot has become a favorite for cocktail lovers.

The nation’s largest Renaissance fair is back in Todd Mission, transforming 70 acres into a world of knights, jesters, turkey legs, and mead. Now through Thanksgiving weekend, expect costumed performers, themed events, and endless food and shopping—all the theatrics that make TRF a Texas tradition. First time going? Use Houstonia’s handy guide for beginners. 

Round up the kids for a fall day at Old MacDonald’s Farm in Humble. Little ones can climb the playground, ride a train around the grounds, and meet farm animals from goats and sheep to a charmingly lazy llama. The pumpkin patch makes for prime photo ops, and every child leaves with a free pumpkin in hand. Entry is $19 per person plus tax.

Skip the long lines on Election Day and make your voice heard ahead of time. Early voting is open this weekend across Houston, giving you a chance to squeeze civic duty in between brunch and Halloween plans. Find your polling place, bring a valid ID, and get it done—you’ll thank yourself later. Interested in learning about a newcomer on the ballot? Read news and city life editor Erica Cheng's profile on an urbanist bringing his professional experience to the ballot.