Three very different new brunches starting this weekend: French at LM Le Restaurant (9am–2pm), Southern-inflected contemporary American at Chaise Lounge (2–5pm), and upscale Mexican at Mercadito (11:30am–4pm).

So you think you can wine taste? Check out your sommelier skills at Geja’s Cafe for the Annual Professional/Amateur Wine Tasting Contest. Your calling could be wine; all you have to do is identify eight unmarked wine carafes in the following areas: the grape, place of origin and vintage. 340 W Armitage (gejascafe.com, call for reservations: 773-281-9101). 1pm, $21.

Chef Paul Virant, aided by his sous chef, Nathan Sears, dukes it out with Chef Masaharu Morimoto on Food Network’s Iron Chef America. Cheer him on at the Tap House Grill’s viewing party in Westmont (6010 S. Cass Rd.) with the Vie staff. The show airs at 9pm. Like what you see on TV? Chef Virant will be serving up his Iron Chef dishes on November 2nd, 3rd and 4th.  4471 Lawn Ave, Western Springs (vierestaurant.com, reservations are limited: 708-246-2082).

At Sepia’s Bottle Shock Sundays, all bottles of wine ($90 and under) are half-off, and chef Andrew Zimmerman serves his take on porchetta. 123 N Jefferson (sepiachicago.com. 312-441-1920).

If you love The Publican, check out tonight’s Tribute to Saison, featuring four rustic Belgian and Belgian-style beers paired with four savory fall dishes, plus a dessert course. Nothing like a good buzz to start (or end) the week. 837 W Fulton Market (thepublicanrestaurant.com, 312-733-9555). 5–10pm, $45.