BEST LOCALLY SOURCED MENU, BEST WINE LIST

American Harvest Eatery 3241 W. Iles, 546-8300 If you want to see where your American Harvest food comes from, head on down to the farmers market or drive the rural roads around town. Owner August Mrozowski and chefs Jordan and Aurora Coffey are bringing a local approach to food, using farmers from almost 20 nearby locales. These locally grown products from Rochester, Virden and elsewhere in the 217 are lovingly turned into masterpieces perhaps best sampled at special dinner events that AH’s Facebook page bills as “culinary journeys,” or memorable evenings full of “laughter, conversation and reminiscing” that can last up to three hours. With its rapidly growing fanbase and penchant for locally sourced ingredients, it’s no surprise that American Harvest Eatery is also our readers’ pick for Best Wine List of 2013 for their wide selection of local vintages. Chef Aurora Coffey says their wine selection is growing and was built to showcase “as many local items as possible.” Popular selections include those from New Berlin’s Danenberger Family Vineyards like their Desagace series of dry wines. The Desagace Rouge, made with syrah, Marquette and arandell grapes is available by the glass or bottle and sold only at American Harvest. See if you can catch its leather and truffle notes. Runner-up locally sourced menu: Engrained Brewing Company Runner-up wine list: Hill Prairie Winery