Popeyes Red Stick Chicken review (Video/photos)

Popeyes launched a new menu item Monday, called Red Stick Chicken. The name comes from the ingredient the fried chicken tenders are marinated in - Tabasco sauce. The McIlhenny family has been  producing that sauce on Avery Island, Louisiana since 1868, and growing the cayenne peppers for it there, as well. It is from the growing process of those crops that the Red Stick name comes from.

In monitoring and harvesting the peppers, employees use a wooden stick painted the exact shade of red that the fruit must be to meet McIlhenny standards for ripeness. The baton rouge is known in English as "the Red Stick."

Tabasco flavor and heat is met by an equally-spicy Smok'n Pepper Ranch sauce, also new this week at Popeyes. The meal is completed with a serving of Popeyes' famous fries and Southern-style biscuit.

How hot is the Red Stick Chicken, and how does it taste? Watch my review to find out!

Republic hosting ACORN wine dinner April 8 in Takoma Park

Republic in Takoma Park will be hosting a wine dinner featuring selections from ACORN of the Russian River Valley on Wednesday, April 8 at 7:00 PM. ACORN's co-owners Bill and Betsy Nachbaur will be on hand for the 5-course dinner, prepared by Chef Danny Wells.

Tickets are $85, and can be reserved now with a credit card by calling 301.270.3000.

Here's a preview of the menu and wines:

Winemaker Welcome with Cava

Grilled shrimp and Oysters on the Half-shell (passed)

 ACORN Rosato 2013

Onion bialy, Pipe Dreams Goat Cheese, marinated Beets, Smoked Char

 ACORN Sangiovese 2011

Potato Gnocchi, Morel Mushrooms, Arugula Pesto, Seared Pork Belly

 ACORN Dolcetto 2011

 Seared Duck Breast and Juniper Spiced Duck Sausage,

Baby Root Vegetables, Sage Brown Butter

 ACORN “Axiom” Syrah 2010

Medjool dates, stuffed with Rogue River Smokey blue,

wrapped in house cured pancetta

 Cookie plate and coffee

Republic

6939 Laurel Ave, Takoma Park

Digidoc signs lease in downtown Silver Spring (Photo)

Digidoc, an information technology solutions firm that specializes in document management and conversion, has leased 2434 SF of space at Silver Spring Plaza. The Florida Avenue NW-headquartered firm has multiple offices in the DC region.

Silver Spring Plaza is located at 8757 Georgia Avenue, and is owned by Washington Property Company.

Digidoc's CEO, Daryl Wiggins, was awarded the Top 100 Minority Business Enterprises award by Diversity Careers magazine.

Photo courtesy Washington Property Company

Pedestrians struck at Leisure World, in Takoma Park

Four pedestrians and two bicyclists were struck by cars yesterday in Montgomery County; two of those victims were in the East County.

At 3:45 PM, a pedestrian was struck in the 7600 block of New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park.

About an hour later, another pedestrian was hit at Leisure World. That collision took place in front of the Leisure World Administration Building, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer.

No details on the injuries of the victims have been made available as of press time.

Latin gala to raise money for Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad March 28

The Wheaton Volunteer Rescue Squad is hosting a fiesta for a great cause this Saturday, March 28, at their new Ballroom at Wheaton Glen facility above the squad at 2400 Arcola Avenue.

Proceeds from the event will go toward the purchase of a $1,000,000 truck needed for the squad, due to aging equipment.

The event will feature Salsa and a variety of other Latin music performed by Laura Sosa and Pa’ Gozar Latin Band. The band is widely known for performing at festivals and Latin venues throughout the Washington, DC area. The show will also include a performance by Titanes Salseros, the Latin dance team from Albert Einstein High School. Free Latin dance lessons will be provided starting at 7pm, courtesy of Flying Feet Enterprises. The WVRS will be serving Latin food items (for an additional cost) and have a cash bar. There will also be door prizes, a raffle, and other cash games.

Doors will open at 7:00 PM.

Tickets are $25 for adults and children 12 and over. For more information:

Email L​atinGala@wvrs.org, or call 240-389-3894.

Downtown Wheaton " redevelopment " meeting March 24

A public information meeting on the proposed Lot 13 redevelopment project in Wheaton will be held Tuesday, March 24, at 6:30 PM in the Wheaton High School Auditorium. The school is located at 12601 Dalewood Drive.

Updated sketch plans will be displayed for the project, which will be a Montgomery County Government office building. This is hardly what residents and Wheaton businesses had in mind. The project will hurt Wheaton Triangle businesses by removing the convenient parking their patrons currently enjoy in Lot 13, and create dirt, noise and disruption. Government offices won't jumpstart the Wheaton economy, either. The reality is, the Powers That Be want the small businesses around Lot 13 to fail, so that they can demolish those retail buildings, and build more luxury apartments.

With Marriott actively searching for a new headquarters location convenient to Metro, why aren't these unwise plans being put on hold, and efforts made to secure the hospitality giant for Wheaton. Doesn't Wheaton deserve to have a logo other than that of a grocery store to anchor its skyline?

Quarry House, Bombay Gaylord & Mandarin Chinese restaurants damaged in Silver Spring fire (Photos)

A major fire in the 8400 block of Georgia Avenue damaged three popular restaurants early this morning in Silver Spring. Quarry House Tavern, Bombay Gaylord and Mandarin Chinese restaurants were all damaged. Over 100 firefighters responded to the 2 alarm blaze. One firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Photos by Pete Piringer