Escala Latin Bistro opens at Greenwood Lake Airport

BY GINNY PRIVITAR
WEST MILFORD — Cynthia Soto, locally famous as the “Empanada Lady,” has opened a new restaurant, Escala Latin Bistro, at Greenwood Lake Airport.

Escala is Spanish for ‘layover’ and the restaurant, which seats 72, features a combination aviation and Caribbean theme. The menu, according to "Chef Willie,” also known as Oscar Nelson, is a fusion of Latin, Italian and American cuisines.

The restaurant officially opened on Thursday, Jan. 14, but will have a grand opening Friday, Jan. 15, which, coincidentally, is also Soto's birthday.

Judging by her rating of 4.5 stars on facebook from 60 reviewers, the restaurant should be a great success.

Soto also owns an easily recognizable pink food truck, which she affectionately calls “the pink lady,” because, she says, “it is Mary Kay pink.” The pink lady is on hiatus and will be back again in February.

The truck is seen all over town and at farmers markets where Soto’s 12 kinds of empanadas are very much in demand. For those who don't know, Empanadas are a Spanish or Latin American pastry turnover filled with a variety of savory ingredients and baked or fried. Favorites include beef and potato; pulled pork; chipotle chicken and cheddar; and kale with sweet plantains and white cheese. She’s also known for her Cuban sandwiches and chimi burgers and Dominican pasteles.

Not too long ago, Soto was working as an EDI (electronic data interchange) analyst of communication between manufacturers of women’s accessories and clothing and vendors. She said she learned a lot about marketing, logistics, sales and cost control and inventory management.

After working in the corporate world for 16 years, Soto was laid off. A hard-working woman with a vibrant personality, she turned adversity to advantage. Five years ago, she started out at farmers markets.

“I was selling somebody else’s products and decided maybe I could sell my own,” she said.

She learned the business and went to Hudson County Community College and earned a culinary degree in 2011, graduating with a 3.99 average. A couple years later, she started her own food truck, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Soto’s business was growing and she was renting a commercial kitchen to prepare her food. It was expensive, so she decided to open her own restaurant.

Some of the dinner entrees on the menu at Escala Latin Bistro are:

Pollo al Chipotle - Braised spicy chicken on or off the bone, simmered in homemade chipotle tomato sauce.

Pollo Rustico - Country style half chicken on the bone sautéed with potatoes, sweet vinegar pepper and pepperoncinos in a white wine herb glaze.

Carne Asada - Grilled Sirloin Steak in a homemade marinade with caramelized onions.

Pernil Asado - Caribbean-style slow oven-roasted pork with caramelized onions.

They are all served with white rice or Spanish rice, beans and a choice of a side.

“It’s been a scary and amazing journey,” Soto said.

The best part of having her own restaurant, according to Soto, is “the freedom — and just being the lady boss.”

She describes herself as “happy and ready to work hard,” but it sounds like she is already doing that.