The new downtown Mars restaurant officially opens Tuesday, May 19, initially operating Tuesday through Thursday evenings as Acker eases into the launch of his first restaurant venture.
“This is huge for me,” Acker told The 228 Times during an interview Tuesday evening inside the restaurant alongside his 9-year-old daughter, Ella Perry.
Acker said opening week brings a mix of excitement, nerves and relief after transforming the empty building into an intimate Italian restaurant with a speakeasy-inspired atmosphere.
The restaurant recently completed its first soft launch, which Acker described as both stressful and encouraging.
“At 4:30, Amazon dropped off my dining room carpets,” he said with a laugh. “Silverware showed up that afternoon too, so we were literally unwrapping silverware, washing it and rolling it right before guests arrived. It was a race to the finish line.”
Despite the hectic final hours, Acker said the evening went smoother than expected.
“I was nervous because it’s a new kitchen, new equipment and I’m basically a one-man band back there cooking,” he said. “But once I got into a rhythm, I felt comfortable.”
Unlike many Italian restaurants, Acker said Capone’s House of Pasta is built around scratch cooking.
“Everything is handmade — from the pasta itself to all the sauces,” he said. “Nothing is store-bought. Everything is homemade, handmade and hand-cut.”
“The goal is to keep things fresh,” he said. “I want to experiment and listen to customer feedback too.”
For now, Capone’s House of Pasta will open only three nights per week as Acker works through the challenges of a smaller kitchen and maintaining consistent quality.
“I know I can serve 40 people. I know I can serve 60 people,” he said. “But how do I make sure the 80th customer gets the same experience as the first customer? That’s important to me.”
Acker said the restaurant was intentionally designed to feel different from many modern dining spaces.
“There are no TVs. There’s no bar,” he said. “I wanted it to feel laid back — a place where you can have a romantic dinner or bring your family and just enjoy being together.”
The dark walls, mirrors, soft lighting and photographs throughout the restaurant were all chosen to create what Acker described as an “old-school vibe with a new-era feel.”
But beyond the food and décor, Acker said building a neighborhood restaurant in Mars was always part of the vision.
“I chose Mars very specifically,” he said. “I want this to be a neighborhood restaurant. I want regulars. I want people to know me by my first name and for me to know them.”
That family atmosphere was also visible Tuesday evening as Ella sat beside her father during the interview, proudly looking through menus and preparing for opening week.
Acker said involving his daughter in the process has been one of the most meaningful parts of opening the restaurant.
“I wanted to show her that if you work hard and put your mind to something, you can do it,” he said. “This isn’t just dad’s job. This is ours.”
Capone’s House of Pasta is located in downtown Mars and officially opens Tuesday, May 19. The restaurant will initially operate Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. as Acker gradually expands operations. Reservations can be made online at www.CaponesHouseofPasta.com .
