VEGAS DINING NEWS: Sonic the Hedgehog Pop-Up, $20K Metallica Steak Head to the Strip

The Sonic the Hedgehog Speed Café zooms into Chinatown on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 5600 Spring Mountain Road, Suite A—taking over the space vacated by the 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.

Organizers haven’t announced an end date for the Vegas run, but previous pop-ups have lasted anywhere from six weeks to several months.

Steak & Destroy

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

Tied to Metallica’s Sphere residency—which continues through March 13, 2027—the $20,000 “Fade to Grand” package includes:

• Seared foie gras finished with 24‑karat gold.
• A guitar signed by all four members of Metallica, complete with a letter of authenticity.
• A high‑end bourbon cocktail named “The Master” (crafted with Michter’s 25-Year Kentucky Straight Bourbon, Grand Marnier Quintessence, Okinawan kokuto black sugar, and aromatic bitters, served over diamond‑cut ice).

Reservations are available here. How many signed guitars Carversteak has in stock for this promotion remains to be seen, but deep-pocketed Metallica fans certainly exist in high numbers. And don’t forget to factor in the customary $4,000 tip for service.

Bellagio Restaurant Wins Top Global Design Award

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

Something called the Barbecue World Cup & Expo announced that 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. The event 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.” Qualifier competitions are running throughout the rest of 2026 in Texas, New Mexico, Florida, and on Nov. 21 in the Silverton Casino parking lot. Tickets are available here.

Excalibur plans to add Wing Zone, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and Häagen-Dazs to its food court options. While an official opening timeline has not been announced, the new spots are expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2027.