Behind the scenes at the "Today" show and beautiful cappuccino!

This past Wednesday on the "Today" show, I demonstrated a number of recipes from the September issue of my Everyday Food magazine. As usual, this digest-sized publication is chock-full of easy, healthy, and really wonderful recipes. After the show, I had a craving for a cappuccino, so we stopped by Bottega del Vino at 7 East 59th Street in New York City. Sammy Lin is a barista who works there and he is also quite an amazing artist. Come and see what I mean.

This colorful presentation is herb-crusted salmon –- the crust adheres to the salmon because of a thin layer of Dijon mustard. It's served with a spinach salad.

This is a bowl of Cuban black-bean stew with rice –- protein-rich and vegetarian. On the orange plate is a juicy glazed pork chop with smashed potatoes and stewed green beans.

All of these recipes are part of this month's Grocery Bag, a feature in the magazine that provides a shopping list and time-saving strategies to help get dinner on the table in no-time. To see more speedy recipe ideas from the Everyday Food editors, visit their blog, Dinner Tonight.

Barista artist Sammy Lin and me.

Sammy begins his creation by carefully spooning foamy milk.

He's inspired by the pattern the foam makes.

With a steady hand, Sammy uses a wooden skewer to create images.

Unbelievably detailed and quite gorgeous! Almost too beautiful to drink, however, the cappuccino is unbelievably delicious! 

Sammy at work behind a stack of clean cups.

The front of Bottega del Vino.

The cafe's "shingle."

And here is the link to the video from the show!

Comments

[Peekaboo Picks]

Oh wow, those are the most beautiful coffees I've ever seen! They look very tasty too :)

[Jan Erickson]

Hi Martha, What a spectacular blog! Not only do we get fantastic Everyday Food recipes and photos, but we are also treated to the most beautiful cappuccino artist's designs. Living close to the coffee capital of the world, I have seen all kinds of designs on cups of cappuccino, however nothing compares to the works of Sammy Lin. Thank you so much for sharing all of this with us. Yum, I can almost taste it all. Jan

[Candylei]

The art is amazing. Food and art make a wonderful marriage. This almost makes me want to move to the city. Almost. :) Now I'm on my way to watch the video.

[Wayne]

Sammy's artistry on the cappuccino's is simply amazing! WOW! I have never seen this done before. Thanks for sharing.

[EWA]

Oh, what a complex drawings! I saw much simpler ones before. Those are exquisite...

[Marie]

Oh please don't tease me, Martha. Cappuccino? LOVE that! Salmon with Dijon? LOVE that too! How yummy is this? :D

[Patia]

Wow, those cappuccino drawings are incredible! You make me miss New York a little. :-)

[Beth]

Sammy must have great artistic ability as well. I have never seen anyone make drawings in a coffee cup. Wow!

[Sheri]

Martha, I just heard the most wonderful news! Your show is going to be on in the NY area at 11:00am. I am thrilled! Now I can tune in daily again.

[Trish]

What a talented guy Sammy is; he knows all about coffee and is artistic too! Good thing you took a picture because your cappuccino was almost too nice to drink.

I just might try every one of those recipes you demonstrated on the Today show yesterday starting with the black bean stew. I’ve been eying them in the magazine too and they do look 'lightening-fast' from start to finish like described. Maybe they should be called ‘the other fast food’. Thanks for helping to make our lives simpler! Trish

[Margie]

How do New Yorkers get things done? If I were there I would be in the cafes all the time.

[Linda]

Martha:
That has got to be the most talented barista in a coffee shop anywhere probably even in the country. Those cups of cappucino are gorgeous. If he doesn't own the place, the owner has got to know he's got a treasure. Lucky you to get to go there and enjoy a cup of coffee like that. Yummy yummy mmmmmmmm......I got to go to New York.

Linda
Phila., Pa

[Sarah]

That is amazing! So Art Nouveau, I love it. Thanks for sharing.

http://sarahheartsdesign.blogspot.com/

[Jenny from Sycamore, IL]

You have got to be kidding me! That cappucino is a work of art. I don't know if I could have drank it, it is so beautiful. Sammy is a genius! You inspire me in many ways, Martha, and my daughter and I always take pictures of food when we travel just like you do. Thanks for sharing.

[The Bitter Foodie]

I was a barista for several years during college, and I LOVED it.

If I could earn a decent living as a barista, I truly think I'd be willing to do it fulltime...

Does Martha really write this blog or does she pay someone to write it for her?

[xoBeau]

Wow! that cappuccino is beautiful!
http://xobeau.blogspot.com/

[Kathy]

Hi, Martha,
Your "Today" segment was wonderful. The herb crusted salmon with spinach salad, Cuban black bean stew with rice, and the smashed potatoes and green beans all sound so delicious. I hope to try all of them soon.
Sammy Lin is quite an artist.
Kathy

[Sherey]

Ha...now i am craving a cappuccino here! Aren't they sooo exquisite?

[Cindy Bricker]

Today, here in Western Maryland, it's (finally!) a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l-l-y rainy, coolish day (the final remnants of tropical storm Fay), and, boy, could I go for some of that frothy creamy cappucino right now! I've never seen artwork like this on a-n-y cappucino demonstrations that I've viewed on TV! Again, I said "oh, wow!" right out loud as I was scrolling down through...

Bottega del Vino's windows are crystal-clear!...invokes good "curb appeal", wouldn't you say?!!... I AM a stickler for clean windows! (This is why my cooking isn't all that great, as I'd rather wash windows, than cook! [please don't hold it against me!] )

Fay's rainy remnants might not reach you, Martha, as I think they're to only go as far north as Philadelphia...I think you've had some refresher showers that we haven't had, so we're probably evensteven.

'Til next time...

=^..^=

[Nan Ashby]

Martha, saw you on the Today Show yesterday. You certainly looked beautiful, and your menus looked easy and delicious. I bet you have or nearly have chosen your Chow puppy. I can't wait to find out. I am counting down the days until Sept. 15th. Keep your days for down time until then. Nan

[Flassie]

Hello Martha!

WOW! The coffee looks so yummy!

I heard you say you can't go out with an apron on. Check out the Reversible apron at Sew Liberated called Emmeline apron at: http://sewliberated.com/patterns.html
If the link doesn't work you can look it up online. Her old blog was under Montessoribyhand.blogspot.com but she moved to sewliberated. She also moved back to the states.
The emmeline pattern is so cute. It look's like a cute dress.

GOD Bless You and Yours!!!

[Pierre]

Wow!! What an amazing cappucino. Looks way to good to drink. Sammy is such a talented barista! Today show was wonderful - looking forward to more.
Thanks
Pierre

[Tilda]

You know I have been following your blog now for a couple of weeks and one thing that I am loving is the fact that you get right in there with public and something nice to say about everyone and take pictures with them....I have met far to many "celebrities" that think the people that actually make them their respectable salaries are beneath them. I enjoy seeing you in everyday life and giving people credit for their talents! Thanks M, I appreciate that!

[mitties]

you must have sammy on your show when you are back in September! share him with the world, he deserves it.

[Betsy Mech]

Oh Martha, how wonderful that you find all the best spots for Coffee and speciality foods. I hope you know how Lucky you are!