Thanksgiving is just a few weeks away, and luckily for us, some of Houston’s best chefs are willing to share their tips and tricks for holiday meals. This weekend, why not stay in and experiment? Try your hand at this bubbly, golden-brown baked mac and cheese recipe from Top Chef finalist, Dawn Burrell, complete with sharp cheddar, fontina, and panko bread crumbs. Feeling super ambitious? Attempt a whole turkey recipe from the chefs at Rainbow Lodge before the big day. Their secret? A robust brine made with apple juice, oranges, and jalapeños! —Erica Cheng, news and city life editor

Is there anything better than a little sweet treat? At the generational Three Brothers Bakery, pastries like gingerbread men and crumbly coffee cake reign supreme. Gobble down a black and tan cookie or delectable apricot danish, sipping leisurely from your latte as you watch the world go by. Absolutely do not forget the more traditional Jewish sweets like rugalach, which comes in a variety of fruit fillings and a dusting of cinnamon sugar. The hamantaschen, a dessert traditionally eaten during the Purim holiday, is also a hit. Not into sweets? Not a problem. Dive into Three Brothers’ kolaches and bread offerings, including bagels, challah, and of course, crusty baguettes. —EC

While temperatures are still hitting the 80s this weekend, it’s no longer unbearably hot in Houston, which means patio weather! Venture out to one of our best local breweries, taking advantage of their spacious outdoor patios to soak in the good weather. In the past, these were a rarity, but thanks to folks like Brock Wagner of Saint Arnold Brewing Company and others who followed his footsteps in the 2010s, there are plenty of spots for beer lovers to enjoy. Head to Bad Astronaut Brewing Co. for fun and games, City Acre Brewing for a backyard aesthetic head, or Tejas Brewery for a gorgeous view of Houston’s skyline. A full list of Houstonia’s favorites can be found here. —Sofia Gonzalez, food and travel editor 

Fine art fans, this is a hell of a weekend for gallery openings! Here are a few of our favorite options: 

Fri, Nov 7

• Gateless Gate: Ritual of Holding at okusendō Fine Art & Design Curated by Ann Shi, this group show embraces the sometimes-conflicting nature of gates and other portals through a Zen lens. 3700 Garrott St
• 50th Anniversary Exhibition, Part II at Moody Gallery The birthday extravaganza continues with a variety of works by the artists that Moody has repped throughout its storied lifetime. Stop by on Saturday at 4pm for a talk on the show from legendary gallerist Betty Moody. 2815 Colquitt St
• Reminiscence + Transformation at Lanecia A. Rouse Gallery Artists Monique Aiuto and Laura Summerhill examine concepts of motherhood, memory, and marriage with their collages and textiles. 3719 Navigation Blvd

sat, Nov 8

• All Eyes on Her at Reeves Art + Design This weeklong group show celebrates the contributions of women to the art world, both in front of audiences and those working behind the scenes. 2415 Taft St
• Comfort Zone at Front Gallery Katy Heinlein’s solo show features vibrant, exploratory sculptures inspired by Faber Birren’s book Color, Form and Space. 1412 Bonnie Brae
• Good Brick Tour by Preservation Houston OK, it isn’t technically a gallery opening, but it’s still a great way to engage with local art. The popular architecture tour takes place on both Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $25 online and $30 at the door. various locations —Meredith Nudo, arts and culture editor