April 18, 2010

Directions to Zed's Bistro and Wine Bar / Zed's Ethiopian Restaurant in Virginia's Jungle

http://www.zeds.net/

Getting to Zed’s without getting lost:
This direction to Zed’s Bistro and Wine Bar, also known as Zed's Ethiopian Restaurant, in Gainesville, Virginia is meant for those who frequently get lost in this part of the Washington DC area. Presently, it is difficult to find the exact address from the internet or Map Quest because the Shopping Center is new. The restaurant address can also send the traveler to a similar address 3 miles away. These two locations have the same street address or Shopping Center name for some unknown reason. Prince William County needs to correct this confusion. Interstate 66, Route 55 and Route 15 and surrounding streets are under construction, criss-cross each other and very congested. Therefore it is wise to use lighted and numbered streets and avoid barricades and rerouts. The best directions are given below.
The restaurant in Gainesville, Virginia is officially registered as Zed’s Bistro and Wine Bar but it is just a second branch that was opened by the owners of Zed's Ethiopian Restaurant (or Cuisine) to cater to those who do not want to go the long 30miles drive to Georgetown in Washington DC.

In Ethiopia, it is common to find addresses by designating unusual landmarks because street addresses are still in a state of developement even in the capital city of Addis Ababa. Here is a typical example:

"Abebe, where is you house"?
"Mamo, It is very easy, just take the Ambo road to the Shola Tree (Fig Tree) and make a right turn at Dejazmatch Kefetew's Compound. Proceed straight, cross the Kebena River Bridge and when you get to the big green gate, make an immediate right and it is the compound with the stone fence. Take the second gate with the barbed wire"
"Thanks Abebe see you tomorrow at five O'Clock sharp"
"Mamo if you ever gate lost just ask anyone in the neighborhood where Achuma's house is and they will point it to you"

Ofcourse Abebe will never get lost in Addis Ababa but in the United States, it would be impractical to use such method. Surprisingly, newly arriving Ethiopians to the United States will attempt to use the Ethiopian method of landmarks for a while.

Below is the American method of how to get to the Ethiopian Restaurant in Gainesville, Virginia in the suburbs of Washington DC.

Location of Gainesville, Virginia:

Gainesville is located about 30 miles from Washington DC and 1/2 mile from Interstate 66 and Route 29. It is also about 30 miles from Front Royal, Virginia and 1 mile from Haymarket, Virginia. The nearest Landmark is the Manassas National Battlefield Park in Manassas, Virginia. Manassas is about 4 miles from Gainesville, Virginia.

Address of Zed’s in Gainesville:

6850 Piedmont Center Plaza, Building C, Gainesville, Virginia 20155 Tel. 571-261-5933 www.zeds.net

Direction to Zed’s in Gainesville:

Various directions exist to get to the Ethiopian Restaurant in Gainesville, Virginia without getting lost. My attempt here is to give the more direct direction using major highways and exit numbers and avoiding dark streets. Sometimes a more direct and longer route is preferable than a short cut through dark area and streets under construction.

From the North and Washington DC:

Take 66 West
Take Exit 40, Route 15 South (James Madison HWY); make a left turn at the light.
Drive 1500 feet to the second traffic light and make a left turn onto Route 55 East (John Marshall HWY also known as Washington Street in Haymarket).
Drive approximately 1 mile to Piedmont Center Plaza and make a left turn into the shopping center.
Proceed to the second building (building C) behind the USA Tigers Building.

From the South Warrenton and Front Royal:

Take 66 East
Take Exit 40, Route 15 South (James Madison HWY); make a right turn at the light
Drive 1000 feet to the first traffic light and make a left turn onto Route55 East (John Marshall HWY also known as Washington Street)
Drive approximately 1 mile to Piedmont Center Plaza and make a left turn
Proceed to the second building (building C) behind the USA Tigers Building