Who are the people behind Queen City Bistro?
Arianna
John
Miriam
Julian
How did Queen City Bistro Start?
Queen City Bistro started as a dream of John Allen and his wife Arianna Allen-Hawkes, who each came up through the ranks of the restaurant scene of Charlottesville, Va. Between them they have served thousands of guests, and worked hundreds, possibly thousands of events. Leveraging their experience in hospitality and restaurant management, they decided to start a restaurant and begin a grand adventure for both them and their family, Miriam and Julian, both pictured above. For months they hunted for the perfect location - a place where the menu and staff would become the heartbeat of a house of welcome for any who would come. He could think of no place better than Beverley Street in Staunton, VA.
This vision came to life with the help of many committed, generous, collaborative friendships that had been formed over years in the industry. Help came from all sides as he and his wife Arianna worked to manifest their dream, aiding in everything from pulling bent nails to building cocktails. As they worked, the joy of that vision shone like a beacon for newcomers - now called friends, colleagues, and honored guests.
Mission & Values
QCB was founded with the mission of offering unique presentations of Southern and Italian comfort food with unmatched hospitality. The heart of the experience is the ancient Greek philosophy of Xenia, known as “guest-friendship.” This practice is the alchemy of transforming strangers into friends through mutual generosity. We strive for this with a warm welcome for every guest, ensuring they feel valued and respected from the moment they enter to the moment they leave.
Situated in a building with a century of history in the heart of Staunton, QCB occupies a space that has seen various incarnations. 23 Beverley was a confectionery, a men’s clothing store, various eateries, and most memorably as Emilio’s Italian Restaurant. We celebrate this history as we create the next chapter, from reclaiming vintage materials to reimagining traditional dishes. It is our great privilege to revive the spirit of Italian cuisine, curating a space where guests feel at home whether in tuxedos or flip-flops.
Our Team
QCB is a testament to the dedicated efforts of many individuals. Assistant Manager Anna Lien spent pre-opening building with us, and continues to work daily to optimize QCB for both guests and employees. Chef Tom Hughes brings his passion and creativity to our menu, continually transforming and elevating each plate. Emilio’s alumni –Will, Ashley, and Cary– provide valuable insight and intimate knowledge of our guests’ expectations. Jon and Shannon work diligently to refine our top-notch bar program. Sous Chef Jolynn creates mouth watering desserts, and Dianna greets folks at the door like they are entering her own home.
Special thanks and deep gratitude to all our friends and family, and especially Olivia, Campbell, Wond, and Adam for their unwavering support.
As a quick aside, I— John, want to add on a personal note that none of this would have been possible without the love, support, and hard work put in by my wife Arianna. Raising children is never easy, and the amount of effort it took to mastermind the renovations and decorations with two children, one of them a newborn, was a difficult feat. She has been my touchstone and a rock for our family. While you may not see her working when the restaurant is in operation frequently, she has laid the groundwork for much of the ambiance you enjoy during your visit.
Chris Reagan (back) helps install reclaimed flooring upstairs!
Cary displaying our Porkbelly Special. As a side note, though John and Cary look very similar, they are not related!
Chef Tom displays Chicken Cacciatore the week before we opened!
Wond getting the bar ready the day before we open!
Anna and Arianna suited up for woodworking and staining during the renovation.
Kyle from Central Virginia Chemical, our first vendor, fixing our dishwasher on Day 2 of occupying the space!
Our supervisor Julian was present through the whole process, making sure things were being done up to his standards. The kitchen was decided early on as the best place for a nap.
At Queen City Bistro, we invite you to be part of our story. Whether you're here for a casual meal or special celebration, we are honored to have you. If you enjoy your time with us, please share your experience or take a moment to rate us on Google or Yelp. Help us improve and complete the cycle of Xenia. Your act of guiding strangers helps new guests find a kind welcome and a great meal. By sharing your experience, you contribute to the tradition of guest-friendship, giving us the chance to enrich the lives of future patrons.
With warmest regards,