Press Releases

For Immediate Release: May 10, 2003
Contact: Nick Fontana, Capital Q

Cantina Marina Opens at Gangplank Tower

After successfully filling the void of quality BBQ in the nation’s capital with Capital Q and doing so in an area that was not desirable at the time, we have set our sights on a new horizon. Our newest venture, Cantina Marina, brings Gulf Coast/Cajun cuisine to DC’s Southwest Waterfront, which over the next few years promises to be a new hotspot in DC thanks to efforts from the National Capital Revitalization Corporation (NCRC).

We have been working on Cantina Marina for the last year and although it hasn’t been easy given the red tape, horrible winter, incessant spring rains and the inherent problems that come with being located on top of the water, we made it and it’s definitely been worth the struggle!!! We held a neighborhood Open House on Sunday, May 4th in the midst of completing last-minute construction details and welcomed over 300 people to Cantina Marina’s perfectly situated patio. We very much look forward to welcoming everyone over the next few weeks.

Cantina Marina will be a definite change to area dining scene, as we will have a unique menu, unbeatable vistas, and an attitude-free atmosphere. Cantina Marina hopes to be at least a temporary escape from the everyday. Why go to dinner when you can go on vacation?

For Immediate Release: July 25, 2000
Contact: Nick Fontana, Capital Q

Little BBQ Joint Gets Big Feed At Republican National Convention

Capital Q, Of Washington, DC, To Cater
The Majority Leader’s Texas Sized
"Salute To George W."

National political conventions are comprised of big time corporate sponsors, big media and big caterers. So, what do you do when your nominee is from Texas, and you need to feed him "real" Texas BBQ at a party for 4,000 of his friend in Philadelphia?

Well you could call a local caterer and start praying. Maybe you could fly a ton of smoked meat and a hundred gallons of BBQ sauce up from Texas and pray some more. Or finally, you could do what the Republicans did and just call the guys at CAPITAL Q.

A small BBQ joint in Washington, D.C., CAPITAL Q is owned by native Texan, Nick Fontana. He and his crew produce quality Texas BBQ daily, they are a log closer to Philly than the lone star state, and are experienced at feeding Texas legislators.

This pint-sized pit has been chosen to cater the August 3rd party for the 2000 Republican National Convention at the Philadelphia Spectrum. CAPITAL Q may be the smallest caterer at the convention, but it will cook one of the largest meals of the entire event - "A Texas-sized BBQ". How big is the party? The menu includes: 1,000 lbs. of smoked beef brisket; 1,000 lbs. of BBQ chicken; 500 lbs of Elgin hot sausage; 200 gallons each of baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad and banana pudding; 3,000 pieces of jalapeno cornbread; and 2,000 pralines. That's a big BBQ, but the crew at "The Q" know what hungry Texans enjoy.

"Philadelphia is a wonderful town," says Fontana, "But 4,000 people, many of whom are from Texas, will get tired of eating cheesesteaks all week. We are honored to participate in the convention with Governor Bush, and we hope to show him that he won't have to leave all of Texas behind when he comes to the White House."

OPENED BY FONTANA IN 1997, CAPITAL Q QUICKLY HAS FOUND A NICHE WITH THE PICKY TEXANS ON CAPITOL HILL, WHO WERE ALWAYS SKEPTICAL OF ANYONE CLAIMING TO PRODUCE THE TASTES OF HOME. THEY HAVE FOUND THAT TASTE AT CAPITAL Q. THE BBQ PIT'S EVER-GROWING WALL OF FAME, WITH PICTURES OF SATISFIED CUSTOMERS, INCLUDES MANY TEXAN POLITICIANS, SOME NON-TEXANS, AND EVEN A CANADIAN, SHANIA TWAIN. WHO FED HER ENTIRE CREW AT THE RESTAURANT WHEN SHE PERFORMED IN WASHINGTON IN 1999. WASHINGTONIAN MAGAZINE TWICE HAS NAMED CAPITAL Q "ONE OF THE 100 BEST BARGAIN RESTAURANTS IN THE WASHINGTON METRO AREA". FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.CAPITALQBBQ.COM, OR CONTACT NICK FONTANA DIRECTLY (nick@capitalqbbq.com).

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