VEGAS DINING NEWS Sonic the Hedgehog Pop-Up, $20K Metallica Steak Package

The Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Café zooms into Chinatown on Saturday (Oct. 17) at 5600 Spring Mountain Road, Suite A. That’s the parking space vacated by One Piece Café earlier this month.

The pop‑up—a high‑octane collaboration between Sega and restaurateur Andy Nguyen—has already blazed through San Diego and Chino Hills in California, then Katy, Texas, Atlanta, and, most recently, St. Louis.

Its Vegas run brings a fresh batch of locally themed dishes: the Vegas Casino Night Dog, Neon Palace Dog, Shadow’s Ultimate Sandwich, and Big’s Tackle Box, a fish‑and‑chips plate built around beer‑battered Icelandic cod.

The Vegas version hasn’t announced a finish line, but previous pop-ups have lasted anywhere from 6 weeks to several months.

Steak & Destroy

Carversteak at Resorts World is currently offering a limited‑run dining experience that is not for limited budgets.

Tied to Metallica’s residency at the Sphere, which continues through March 13, the $20,000 “Fade to Grand” package includes a guitar signed by all four current members of Metallica and a letter of authenticity certifying the signatures, a high‑end bourbon cocktail named “The Master” (made with Michter’s 25 Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Grand Marnier Quintessence, Okinawan kokuto black sugar, and aromatic bitters, served over diamond‑cut ice), and seared foie gras finished with 24‑karat gold.

Reservations are available here. And don’t forget the $4,000 tip for decent service.

Bellagio Restaurant Wins Best Design

Carbone Riviera at the Bellagio was recently awarded Overall Best Restaurant for 2026 by the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards. The venue also won in the Best Design—Americas category. The competition received 1,155 entries from 73 countries, narrowed to 225 finalists by a panel of more than 40 judges. The overall winner was selected directly by the judging panel.

Designed by Martin Brudnizki, MGM Resorts, and Major Food Group, Carbone Riviera opened about a year ago, replacing Picasso on Bellagio Lake. The 240‑seat space features mosaic‑clad arches, terra cotta leather seating, Murano glass fixtures, and terraces overlooking the famous fountains.

Dining Ins & Outs

Excalibur will be adding Wing Zone, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Häagen-Dazs to its food court options. No timetable was announced, though expect to see these in the first quarter of 2027.

The Barbecue World Cup & Expo just announced it’s partnering with Caesars Entertainment to bring its inaugural competition to the parking lot behind the High Roller at the Linq Promenade from April 8-11, 2027. It promises a $1,000,000 grand prize—the largest purse in competitive barbecue history—and a 100-team championship field, as well as “a 100+ booth expo” and “headline concerts.” Official qualifier competitions are running throughout the rest of 2026 in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and on Nov. 21 in the Silverton Casino parking lot.