In addition to 24 different kinds of empanadas, Empanada Nirvana, a new restaurant in the Village of Walden, offers customers an intriguing atmosphere complete with abstract sculptures and paintings. The Business Council of Greater Montgomery held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the eatery on Saturday, providing guests with music, games and tastings of Empanada Nirvana’s menu items.

Empanada Nirvana is located at 75 E Main Street in Walden. This location has been open since Memorial Day. The restaurant previously had two food trailer locations that are no longer operating: one on Route 9W in Newburgh and the other at Glorie Farm Winery in Marlboro. In total, the restaurant in both brick and mortar and food truck forms has operated for three years. Owner Nelson Pantoja chose to open a location in Walden because of the welcoming community and positive direction that the Town of Montgomery is headed in.

“The mayor and the deputy mayor have been trying to get me to come here for two years,” he said. “I see the town is growing and they’re changing things and they’re trying to make a change. The community was very welcoming so that’s why I did that.”

In addition to empanadas, the restaurant serves rice and beans, tacos, Cuban sandwiches, Spanish pork as well as vegan and gluten-free items.

Pantoja chose to open Empanada Nirvana, as he has always had a passion for cooking. The COVID-19 pandemic inspired him to open a permanent location because he wanted to give people a haven from their troubles.

Pantoja is both a sculpturist and a painter. To provide a positive atmosphere for his customers, he has displayed his sculptures on the lawn in front of his restaurant. Among the sculptures are a unicorn with wings, flowers as well as a piece made out of mannequin heads. The interior of the restaurant boasts paintings of icons such as Marilyn Monroe and Anne Frank.

“Everyone had all these emotions,” Pantoja said regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. “I just wanted everybody to come somewhere and be able to just take all of that and put it on the side. Sit down, enjoy some artwork, some good food, listen to some good music and just forget about life and all their problems.”

Through the artwork, Pantoja aims to create an atmosphere that diners will not soon forget.

“I want you to be engulfed in the experience,” he said.

Empanada Nirvana is open from Tuesday-Thursday and on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. They are open on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant can be reached at 845-713-4717.