Chef Ray Garcia’s FIG Restaurant, located at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows and named after the Moreton Bay Fig tree, one of Santa Monica’s oldest landmarks, is a seasonal bistro sourcing ingredients from the local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market and southern California farmers.

Chef Garcia is a firm believer in using the freshest local, seasonal ingredients and letting them shine with a minimum of fuss in the preparation. He works with local growers and producers and shops the world renowned local farmers’ markets to seek out the best. As a result, the food at FIG is a perfect complement to the understated elegance of the Miramar Hotel itself.

Be forewarned, with the wildly popular  “FIG at Five”, this place is quite busy most nights. And for those with adventurous palates, there is a “FEED ME” option on the menu. It beckons you to let “Chef Ray prepare a dinner for your table with a combination of current FIG favorites and off-menu surprises.”

Chef Garcia has been kind enough to share these two delicious recipes ~ Red Beet Risotto and Warm Quinoa Salad with Orange Blossom Vinaigrette. Enjoy!

RED BEET RISOTTO

Ingredients:

BeetRoot Puree

- 2 red beets

- ½ medium onion

- 16 oz vegetable stock

Risotto

- 2 cups carnaroli rice

- 1 onion, finely diced

- 1 bay leaf

- 7 ounces red wine

- 5 cups vegetable stock

- 4 ounces beetroot puree

- 3 ounces unsalted butter

- 3 ounces parmesan cheese

- 2 ounces crème fraiche

- 2 tablespoons chopped dill

- 2 tablespoons chives

Garnish

- 5 each: yellow & red baby carrots, white & green asparagus

- 10 pieces golden beetroot

Directions:

1. Boil red beets and onion until soft. Transfer to blender or food processor and puree. Set aside for later.
2. In a new pot, heat 1 tablespoon oil and sauté onion until fragrant.
3. Add rice and bay leaf, and cook for 2 minutes
4. Pour wine into pot and allow to reduce by ¾
5. Add stock, one ladle at a time, and stir frequently until risotto achieves desired texture.
6. Add beet puree and stir to incorporate. Finish with butter, parmesan cheese, crème fraiche, herbs, salt and pepper.
7. Blanch vegetables for garnish in salted water. Saute with butter and season with salt and pepper.
8. Serve risotto in medium-sized bowl, topped with sautéed vegetables.

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WARM QUINOA SALAD with ORANGE BLOSSOM VINAIGRETTE 

Ingredients:

Quinoa Salad

- 3 ½ oz red quinoa

- 1 cup vegetable stock

- 1 sprig rosemary

- 2 oz haricots verts

- ½ Granny Smith apple

- 2 oz Swiss chard

- 2 oz butternut squash

- 1 oz almond flakes

Orange-Blossom Vinaigrette

- ¾ cup orange blossom honey

- 1 cup orange juice

- ½ cup white balsamic vinegar

- 1 cup olive oil

Directions:

1. Reduce orange juice by 1/3. Allow to cool.
2. When orange juice has cooled, mix all ingredients for dressing and set aside.
3. Cook quinoa in vegetable stock and a sprig of rosemary. When cooked, drain the quinoa and toss with a little olive oil.
4. Cut butternut squash into ½ inch cubes and roast at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until fork tender.
5. Saute apples, Swiss chard and blanched beans.
6. Mix roasted quash and sautéed ingredients with quinoa and dress with vinaigrette.
7. Garnish with toasted almond flakes.

Click here to read “A Santa Monica Getaway“  which also includes Chef Ray’s incredibly popular and delicious STRAWBERRY CRUMBLE recipe.

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and I’m sure your inbox has also filled up with a ton of emails with gift ideas for Mom. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time finding a thoughtful present for my mother… something that she will love and use. 

So here are a few more ideas that won’t break the bank, items that fit my requirements of “stylish, functional, and durable” and that pack & travel well. After all, this is a travel website!

If you go to a Jennifer Miller boutique in New York City, the Hamptons or Palm Beach, try to go mid-day (it gets very busy with enthusiastic shoppers) and give yourself plenty of time to browse. The shop is filled with the most beautiful jewelry of all shapes and styles, (both real and “travel jewelry” are mixed together, and it’s hard to tell fine from faux), fun iPhone and iPad accessories, as well as chic little coverups and shirts that are beautiful on and super easy to pack. Sorry, I couldn’t choose just one piece that would be great for Mother’s Day. First, Jennifer Miller’s Barcelona Wrap shirt in silk chiffon can be worn several ways and can be paired with white jeans for an instantly gorgeous and comfortable outfit.  Second, these gorgeous Yellow Brushed Gold Plated Wavy Disc Earrings with a faux pave diamond edge immediately caught my eye.  ”Travel jewelry” is great because you don’t run the risk of taking your good jewelry with you (should you loose it or it magically disappears), but it looks luxurious and “real.”

I love Ella Vickers recycled sailcloth bags. Really, they can take the abuse of traveling and be used for a million other things. If your Mom works out, goes to the beach, or loves a handy tote, the Ella Vickers Rope Tote is cool option for her. Made from the super sturdy recycled sailcloth, you can select the colors, numbers, as well as pre- or post-consumer sailcloth material. It has inside pockets, a waterproof liner, is mold/mildew/water resistant and is “ocean durable”.

Wraps are infinitely handy to have, traveling or not. With no sizes to fret about, this is great for any woman who like to have a little cover-up on chilly nights or in cold restaurants. From IMPERIO jp this elegant dual colored Tangerine and Fuschia Silk Wrap is a lovely addition and will dress up an outfit in a snap!

And finally, I came across the designer Monica Rich Kosann at Bergdorf Goodman. She has designed the most interesting and beautiful frames, jewelry, and lockets. Now she has a charming Sterling Silver Image Case Key Ring that will fit a photo and be with your mother where ever she goes.

Editors’ Note: Carolyn Paddock writes about products and services that are beneficial for travelers. The products and services mentioned are neither commissioned by nor written in cooperation with the product, company, or manufacturers. 

Russia Begins Visa Outsourcing

by Summer Jenkins, Director of Brand Development

Russia’s new visa outsourcing system is now in effect, and the transition to outsourcing has been relatively smooth.  The outsourcing offices in Washington and Houston have been in operation since mid-April, and the offices in New York and San Francisco will open tomorrow, May 2, after the International Labor Day holiday.

In Washington and Houston, we have seen a slight slowdown in the processing times as the new outsourcing offices get up to speed.  We are continuously updating the processing speeds listed on our website and our visa instruction PDFs, so our clients can be assured that the visa processing speeds we publish are as accurate as possible.  Our instructions also include the most up-to-date consular fees, which include the outsourcing surcharge.

The only other change to the visa processing due to outsourcing will affect only those travelers who choose to fill out the online visa application on their own.  Toward the end of the application, the applicant must select the location where the application will be lodged, and must now select the option that says “ILS” (for example, “ILS Washington” instead of just “Washington.”)  However, travelers who take advantage of G3’s Concierge Level Service won’t have to worry about this – a G3 expert will fill out the Russian visa application online, and will make sure that this and all other details are correct.

If you have any questions, or would like to request Concierge Level Service for Russia, please contact our Russia team at CLS@g3visas.com or Russia@g3visas.com.

Country in Focus: Hong Kong
Although Hong Kong was returned to the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China in 1997, it  has retained a limited autonomy over the administration of the territory.  It has a different system of customs and immigration, including visas, and also has an elected assembly separate from the centralized Chinese government in Beijing.  Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions (the other is Macau) that operate under the principle of “One Country, Two Systems.”  Hong Kong maintains its own currency and retains English as an official language, in addition to Chinese.  Another holdover from Hong Kong’s days as a British Crown Colony is that cars are driven British-style, on the left!

US citizens do not need a visa to visit Hong Kong for business or tourist trips, even though a visa is required for mainland China.  Because visas aren’t required for US citizens, if you will be visiting both Hong Kong and mainland China on your trip, it is recommended not to list Hong Kong as a destination on your Chinese visa application.   Please note that because of it’s relative autonomy, travel between mainland China and Hong Kong is considered to be crossing an international border, so if you will be traveling from mainland China to Hong Kong and then back into mainland China, you must have a double-entry visa.

Many non-US citizens do require visas to enter Hong Kong.  Hong Kong visas are applied for at Consulates of the People’s Republic of China, but the visa requirements are different and a special visa application is required.  G3 can assist with both Chinese visas and Hong Kong visas; if you would like more information, please email our Country Information Coordinator at China@g3visas.com.

Consular Updates
Brazil - Consular fees for visas have been increased to correspond to the increased visa fees charged by the US government.

China - All Chinese consulates are becoming increasingly strict in their enforcement of the requirement that all questions on the visa application must be answered.  Every space must be filled in, even if the answer is “none” or N/A.”  One section of the application that frequently raises questions is the family members section.  All applicants must list at least one family member, even if they do not live with the applicant.

Algeria - Consular fees for visas have been increased to correspond to the increased visa fees charged by the US government.

Argentina - Business visa applicants must now submit an original letter of invitation from the Argentinean company to be visited.  The letter must be in Spanish, and must be notarized in Argentina.

Belarus - Consular fees for visas have been increased to correspond to the increased visa fees charged by the US government.

Taiwan - A new online visa application was released on April 9.  G3′s visa instructions include a link to complete the application online, which must be printed out, signed, and submitted with all other requirements.

Embassy and Consulate Closures for May
May 1: International Labor Day - Many embassies closed, including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bolivia, Belarus, Cameroon, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Russia, Turkey, Uganda, Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
May 2: Bolivia closed.
May 3: Bolivia closed.
May 4: Bolivia, Ethiopia and Kyrgyzstan closed.
May 7:  Belarus, Lebanon, Russia, Sri Lanka, Syria  and Thailand closed.
May 8: Russia and Thailand closed.
May 9: Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan closed.
May 14: Cambodia and Liberia closed.
May 15: Cambodia and Paraguay closed.
May 17: D.R. Congo closed.
May 18: Turkmenistan and Turkey closed.
May 21: Cameroon closed.
May 22: Yemen closed.
May 24: Eritrea closed.
May 25: Jordan and Lebanon closed.
May 28: Memorial Day – All G3 Offices and US Passport Offices closed.  Most embassies closed. 
May 29: Nigeria closed.

Further embassy closures are possible; not all embassies announce their closure schedules in advance. For updated embassy closures calendars, please see www.g3visas.com or our Facebook page.

The Republic of the Seychelles is made up of a group of 115 islands situated in the western Indian Ocean off the coast of Africa. Within this magnificent archipelago there are 41 mid-ocean inner granite islands and 74 low-lying reef islands and coral atolls.

The main island of Mahé, home to the international airport and the capital city of Victoria, is the main tourism center and boasts some of the world’s most beautiful beaches.

Originally settled by the French, the islands were ceded to the British in 1814, after Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo, and continued under British rule until 1976 when they achieved independence and became a republic. The rich and diverse culture of the Seychelles reflects the diversity of the people—Africans, Europeans, and Asians—who have settled there over the islands’ history.

What struck me most about the Seychelles when I visited recently were not only their stunning beaches, but also their unusual and beautiful plants. The Seychelles’ Praslin Island is home to the Coco de Mer, a coconut palm with the largest seeds and leaves of any plant in the world. The palms, which can take 25 to 50 years to mature and bear fruit, are prized and cultivated in botanic gardens throughout the world. The male and female flowers grow on separate trees, and the unique two-lobed form of the coconut, suggestive of a woman’s buttocks (truly, you won’t believe your eyes!)… Continue here for my photos & and to read on! Click here for delicious Creole recipes.

by Summer Jenkins, Director of Brand Development

Russia Begins Visa Outsourcing
The Russian Embassy in Washington, DC announced on April 2nd that they will begin visa outsourcing on Tuesday, April 10.  The visa outsourcing, similar to the outsourcing programs already used by India and Algeria, will impact only the DC embassy for now.  All other consulates will begin outsourcing later this spring.

The Embassy has provided very few details, but we anticipate that the only change that will be noticed by travelers is an increase in the consular fee to cover the outsourcing fees.  G3 will continue to provide all visa services as normal, including Concierge Level Service and official business and tourist invitations.  As more information becomes available, we will post it on our Facebook page and on the Breaking News section of our home page.

Country in Focus: Switzerland
by Timothy Bennett, Director of Corporate Relationships and Concierge Level Services

Lately, we have been getting lots of questions on the requirements for US citizens entering Switzerland.  Switzerland does not require a visa for US citizens for a stay of less than 90 days.  However,  it is important to note that the traveler can only stay in Switzerland for a total of 90 days within a 180 day period without a visa.   US citizens who intend to stay in Switzerland for more than three consecutive months will need authorization from the cantonal authorities and a visa from the responsible Swiss visa desk.

Citizens of many other nations, including China, India and Russia, must have a visa in order to enter Switzerland.  Switzerland joined the Schengen visa scheme on December 12, 2008, so any traveler holding a valid  visa issued by another Schengen member nation may use that visa to enter Switzerland. To apply for a visa to Switzerland, the traveler’s passport must have been issued within the last ten years and must have at least two empty pages. A complete application must be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate General at least 15 days before the intended visit and cannot be lodged earlier than three months before the start of the intended visit. Most consulates require the applicant must appear in person to submit a visa request, but G3 is able to submit applications on behalf of residents of the Chicago consulate’s jursidiction (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI.) Additional information on visas for Switzerland is available on the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs website.

Consular Updates
India - All Indian consulates have imposed new regulations about the signing of visa applications for minors under age 18.  If the child is too young to sign, both signature boxes (on pages 1 and 2 of the application) should have the child’s thumbprint and both parents’ signatures.   If the child is able to write, both signature boxes should have the child’s signature and both parents’ signatures.

Japan - As of April 1, a new visa application is required for Japan.  Visa fees have also been increased.

Libya - All business letters submitted in support of Libyan visa applications must now be addressed to “Mr. Saleh A. Bufrnina, Head of Consular Section, Embassy of Libya.”

Nigeria - Consular fees for visas have been increased by $10.

Embassy and Consulate Closures for April
April 2: Vietnam closed.
April 4: Angola closed.
April 5:  India closed (Chicago only; other consulates will be open).
April 6: Good Friday - Many embassies closed, including Brazil and India.   Thailand, Myanmar, and Mozambique closed.
April 9: Philippines closed.
April 13: Theravadin Buddhist New Year  – Thailand, Cambodia and Laos closed. Orthodox Good Friday - Ethiopia closed, additional closures likely. Bangladesh closed.
April 16: Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar closed.
April 17: Laos, Myanmar and Syria closed.
April 18: Afghanistan, Myanmar and Zimbabwe closed.
April 19: Myanmar closed.
April 20: Myanmar closed.
April 23: Vietnam and Turkey closed.
April 24: Armenia and Niger closed.
April 26: Tanzania closed.
April 27: Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Togo closed.
April 30: Vietnam closed.

Further embassy closures are possible; not all embassies announce their closure schedules in advance. For updated embassy closures calendars, please see www.g3visas.com or ourFacebook page.

Dr. Nancy Rosen is one of New York City’s leading practitioners of cosmetic and restorative dentistry and appears as a frequent guest expert on national television as well as in magazines and newspapers. Once again, I knew she had the answers.

Carolyn: “How long do you typically have to wait before flying if you have had any dental work done?”
Dr. Rosen: “If you have had fillings, crowns, veneers, cleanings done- you can fly right away. If you had an extraction or a root canal done, you should ask the specialist that did the work. He/She may want you to wait a couple of days to make sure there are no complications from the procedure that was done.”

Carolyn: ”There are natural gases in your body that expand after take off (all gases expand), and contract on landing that cause tooth pain? What does it mean and what should you do about it?”
Dr. Rosen: ”Toothaches may occur at altitude due to abcesses, broken filiings, inadequately filled root canals. Anyone that suffers from a toothache during a flight should see his/her dentist. However the pain caused by a sinus block can be mistaken for a toothache. If you are in flight and this happens you can try to clear your ears and see if the pain goes away. If it doesn’t, take some Advil and see your dentist when you arrive at your destination.”

Carolyn: “What’s the best way to nurse a dental problem until you get back to your dentist?”
Dr. Rosen: “Advil, Motrin or Ibuprofen are the best medications you can take for discomfort. If a filling has come out of a tooth- you can keep the area very clean by brushing and flossing or you can try to go to a drug store and purchase dental temporary paste. Flollow the instructions and contact your dentist once you get home.”

Carolyn: Thank you Dr. Rosen for your insightful and helpful advice!

1.     Select a seat as close to the front of the cabin as possible, where the ride tends to be less bumpy than it is farther back because the plane literally fishtails.

2.     When you board the airplane, ask a crew member whether they expect any turbulence. That way you’ll be mentally prepared and, if you tend to get air sick, you can take a Dramamine or put on a patch before the turbulence actually occurs.

3.     If you see crew members buckled into their seats, you need to sit down and buckle up too! They’re in communication with cockpit and know what’s going on in the air. Turbulence is no joke, you can get badly hurt if you are not careful.

4.     If you do run into turbulence, remember to take deep breaths. When people are stressed they tense up and often forget to breathe. Deep breathing actually relaxes you. Why? As stated on the LIVESTRONG website “The parasympathetic nervous system works in conjunction with the sympathetic nervous system, triggering the body to secrete hormones to decrease blood pressure and heart rate, inducing a relaxation response. Breathing deeply and mindfully helps stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system to trigger this response.”

5.     No matter the weather, always keep your seat belt buckled so that you won’t be taken by surprise and can be confident that you won’t be hurt. Remember, there can always be clear air turbulence (at any moment of the flight) that doesn’t show up on the pilot’s radar.

It’s that time of year again, this Sunday March 11th at 2:00 am it’s time to spring forward! And when it comes to traveling, most of us are aware that there will be some time change to deal with—which is how jet lag got its name. But at certain times of year—specifically spring and fall—the time change can be a bit more confusing than usual.

Most places in the world “spring ahead” and “fall back,” time wise that is. But not always on the same day. For example, virtually all of Europe will begin Daylight Savings Time (DST) on March 25th, 2012, which is 2 weeks later than March 11th, when we do it here in North America.

For example, in Mexico (except for the 10 municipalities that boarder the US and observe DST, their time change is March 11th), Cuba,  New Zealand and Australia the time change will occur April 1st, and in Israel the “spring forward” date is March 30th, 2012. And Chile (Santiago) is even later, DST doesn’t go into effect until April 29th! And even when you’re traveling within the USA it can be a problem because Hawaii and Arizona don’t change their clocks at all (after DST this Sunday Arizona will be 3 hours behind New York’s EST).

To avoid unnecessary confusion, you can check online before you go at worldtimezone.com, call your concierge, or the local embassy of the country you’ll be visiting. Especially if you’re traveling on business, you don’t want to run the risk of missing a flight or arriving at your first appointment an hour early—or even worse, an hour late!