Latest Bellagio Picasso Replacement Rumor Gives Us a Carboner

By Scott Roeben, on June 24 2025
2 min read 3 comments
Las Vegas Las Vegas Restaurants

There’s been a lot of chatter about what might replace Picasso restaurant at Bellagio. The latest is juicy.

We’re hearing the folks from Major Food Group, the company behind Carbone (Aria) and Sadelle’s Cafe (Bellagio), have been kicking the tires at Bellagio and could open a new venue in the former Picasso space.

The juiciest part: A domain name, CarboneVongole.com, was registered on June 16, 2025.

Nothing has been confirmed. A.I. doesn’t really care.

Why are we sharing this? One, to avoid writing about the ridiculous A’s groundbreaking. Two, Carbone’s Linguini Vongole is a popular dish at, well, Carbone.

There have been breadcrumbs suggesting a new seafood offering at Bellagio.

Our friend @LasVegasLocally shared a new seafood restaurant is coming to Bellagio, complete with a boat.

We then got our hands on planning documents showing Bellagio is getting a new dock on the water outside Picasso.

This portion of the Bellagio lake wasn’t being monetized, so.

We have since learned the boat will be used sparingly, mostly as decoration and special events.

MGM Resorts hasn’t spilled the beans on its plans yet, but staff seems to already have heard what’s happening.

They say “Carbone Vongole” opens October 2025.

Picasso, from Chef Julian Serrano, closed in August 2024 after a quarter century.

Those are some big shoes to fill.

Carbone is wildly popular, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see MGM Resorts and Major Food Group expanding their partnership with a new restaurant at Bellagio.

We are not a seafood person, but it’s Vegas, so we’re pretty sure there will be some turf offered along with the surf at Carbone Vongole.

Thanks to vloggers Anna Banana & Miguel for this tip.

You’ll know more when we do, whether you like it or not.

Update (7/8/25): The folks at Major Food Group confirmed the Carbone brand will take over the Picasso space at Bellagio. The name of the restaurant, though, will be Carbone Riviera, “a coastal Italian seafood spot.” Rolls off the tongue much more easily than “Vongole.”

As for the boat, the official announcement says, “Along with world-class cuisine and hospitality, Bellagio will debut a new guest experience with a luxury Riva mini yacht. The specialty, 33-foot open powerboat, part of the Riva ‘Anniversario’ collection, is one of only 18 that have been produced, quickly making each unit a collector’s item for the ultimate boat enthusiast. Now, for the first time in the resort’s history, guests can ride around Bellagio’s Lago di Como in one of the most elegant water vessels in the world while enjoying breathtaking, front row views of the Fountains of Bellagio.”