Photos by Samantha Jacksich
The local landscape for authentic international cuisine grew significantly this March with the debut of Acquario Pizza, Pasta & Bar in Keller.
While their acclaimed flagship is known for refined Italian seafood, this new destination brings the Acquario name into a more approachable, pizza-focused light. This isn’t your typical neighborhood parlor; it is a Mediterranean-influenced kitchen led by Master Pizzaiolo Chef Gimmy Piperku, who brings a disciplined touch to every dish.
Acquario sets itself apart by embracing the Pizza Napoletana Contemporanea style — a modern evolution of traditional Neapolitan pizza that emphasizes high-quality imported ingredients and a light crust. Each pie begins with premium Caputo flour sourced directly from Italy. Rather than the dense, heavy doughs often associated with standard American pizzerias, Chef Gimmy employs a long fermentation process that develops a delicate, airy structure. When baked in an authentic wood-fired stone oven, the intense heat creates the signature “leopard spotting” along the outer rim, producing a voluminous crust.
Though the technique is contemporary, the menu remains grounded in tradition, most notably with its signature Margherita pizza. First created in Naples in 1889 to honor Queen Margherita of Savoy, the dish famously reflects the colors of the Italian flag: red tomatoes, white mozzarella, fior di latte, and fresh green basil. From there, the menu expands into bolder territory with selections like the Tutto Carne, layered with pepperoni, sausage, and soppressata; the Diavola, finished with Calabrian chili; and the Boscaiola, topped with mushrooms and sausage.
At Acquario, this respect for simplicity serves as the foundation for more specialized creations, particularly the Mediterranean Pizza — a signature offering that uses the fermented base as a canvas for ingredients such as tomato, oregano, garlic, and extra virgin olive oil.
That same commitment to craftsmanship extends to the house-made fresh pastas, which are prepared with the same reverence as the pizza dough. The result is a dining experience that is both traditional and elevated, yet remains warm and approachable for the community. By focusing on pure ingredients and the patience required for proper fermentation, Acquario brings a specific, time-honored Mediterranean tradition directly to the local area.
DETAILS
Acquario Pizza, Pasta & Bar
967 Keller Parkway
682.647.6554