New CQ restaurant is a family affair

Port Cape Girardeau Restaurant and Bar has been a part of the city's history for more than 40 years.

Dean "Doc" Cain, who bought the property in 1988, said he hopes to expand the business by including his son, James.

In mid-July, James Cain opened his new restaurant, CQ, in the banquet hall within Port Cape.

James has been a chef in Cape for more than five years and decided to move back to his hometown after earning his degree from the Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago in 2006. He worked with two restaurants when he first moved back to town, but since Razin Cain Restaurant and Bar closed in 2012, he has worked at Port Cape.

James said the CQ restaurant is a little more pricey than Port Cape, but that should be expected with its more upscale style of dining.

A look inside the dining area Friday of CQ inside Port Cape Girardeau in Cape Girardeau. (GLENN LANDBERG)

"It's slightly more expensive, but more than that it's kind of like it's an elevated style of food," he said. "So you may pay a little bit more, but our prices are pretty comparable to any other similar experience you might have at another restaurant. It is high-end, but it's not so over-the-top that we're unapproachable for some people."

The younger Cain said CQ is selling hand-cut steaks, seafood and homemade pasta while supporting local grocers.

"Basically what we're trying to do at the CQ is try to focus in on some of the locals and some of the familiars of the farmers market and try to incorporate as much seasonal produce into the cuisine as we can," James said.

When asked why CQ is the name of the establishment, James gave a small chuckle and said when choosing it, he decided instead of racking his brain to come up with something new, he would stick with the old nickname the employees at Port Cape have always used.

CQ, or Captains Quarters, is the original name of the banquet hall inside Port Cape. Plus the name fits with a riverside theme.

A look inside the dining area of Captain's Quarters inside Port Cape in Downtown Cape Girardeau, Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. (GLENN LANDBERG)

"The room there, it wasn't really very productive, and we didn't really have a need [for it]," James said of the remodel.

So he and his father decided to restructure the space and provide James the opportunity to showcase some of the food he enjoys making.

The restaurant also will offer a variety of wines and more than 50 American craft beers.

CQ is off the Water Street entrance of Port Cape toward the lounge. James said the space holds about 35 people.

"We accept walk-ins -- walk-ins are always welcome -- but hopefully eventually we won't have space for walk-ins," James said.

The restaurant is open from 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Reservations can be made by calling 334-0954.

smaue@semissourian.com

388-3644

pertinent address:

19 N. Water St.