By Elena Buckley | SDUN Reporter

To help get shoppers into the holiday spirit, Hillcrest’s business association is promoting its first-ever Taste ‘n’ Tinis event where participants can try 25 different sample dishes and 15 different holiday martinis from area restaurants and retail stores this Thursday, Dec. 16 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 if purchased in advance and $25 on the day of.

The event will offer attendees a self-guided tour of Hillcrest with several pit stops including local area restaurants where one can taste and sample appetizers, entrees and desserts. Participating restaurants include Baja Betty’s, Babycakes, Bamboo Lounge, City Deli, The Wine Encounter, Pizza Nova and many others.

After eating, attendees can explore the many participating retail stores such as Flashbacks, The Village Hat Shop, Buffalo Exchange and Torreon Imports where they’ll be able to try festive cocktails while squeezing in some holiday shopping. Each store will have its own bartender mixing up drinks, such as peppermint martinis, eggnog, candy cane cosmopolitans and Scroogedrivers.

For more information or to buy tickets call (619) 233-5008 or visit fabuloushillcrest.com or macfarlanepromotions.com