YUMA, Ariz.
If your New Year's resolutions include eating more fresh, local fare, you can kick-start that effort with a "Savor Yuma" tour sponsored by Yuma Visitors Bureau.
Designed to showcase Yuma's authentic border fare and "fresh from the field" produce, fruits and more, these tours treat diners to a "mystery culinary quest" aboard a party bus with its own designated driver.
You'll savor the unique flavors of Yuma with a progressive dinner featuring stops at three different restaurants, with tasty appetizers offered at the first, fresh soup or salad served at the second, and a hearty main course dished up at the third. Each diner may enjoy two speciality "adult" drinks along the way, and a sweet treat wraps up the evening as the party express returns to its starting point.
The first Savor Yuma tour is set for 6 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 10), and departs from the east parking lot (by the Pivot Point locomotive) of the Hilton Garden Inn, 300 N. Madison Ave.
Among the restaurants that will be featured on Savor Yuma tours in 2013 are Burgers and Beer, Chretin's, Ciao Bella, Garden Cafe, Hilton Garden Inn's Great American Grill, La Fonda, Main Street Cafe, River City Grill, Tina's Cocina, Yuma's Main Squeeze and Z Fun Factory.
"Our first season was tons of fun and the tours are going to be even better this year with a little more intimate group," said Linda Jordan, YVB's executive director. "You get to sample the chef's specialties at some great local restaurants and learn a little more about their history, plus it's a great chance to meet new people in a really fun setting.
"We had a group of people who went on all six of our culinary tours last year, and even extended their stay in Yuma to do it," Jordan added. "What better testimonial could we have than that?"
Savor Yuma tours are scheduled for Jan. 10 and 22, Feb. 5 and 21 and March 5 and 28.The cost of $50 per person includes transportation, food and two "adult beverages."Tickets are on sale now at YVB's Visitor Information Center at the Yuma Quartermaster Depot State Historic Park, 201 N. 4th Avenue, call 800-293-0071 or 928-783-0071 for more information. The VIC is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. seven days a week through May.
