In Carytown, owners of the Galaxy Diner have decided to stick it out, but only after giving the restaurant a complete overhaul. Reopened last Thursday without any reference to the word diner, this new Galaxy is a completely new restaurant.

First, no more hot dogs or meatloaf specials, no more milkshakes or fried pickles. The kids’ stuff has been replaced by an upscale menu designed by Ed Vasaio of Mamma ‘Zu, a consultant, says Galaxy owner Mark Burkett. “He’s preparing the menu, and he’s assuring the quality of the food coming out of the kitchen. It’s being cooked to his specifications as it is at Mamma ‘Zu.”

Don’t expect a satellite Mamma ‘Zu location in Carytown, however, Burkett says. “At this point we’re serving Italian fare … but Ed is looking for an outlet to come up with some new ideas. … We’re looking to change these seasonally as he comes up with new recipes.”

You can’t serve zuppa di pesce and that famous penne Gorgonzola in a place with space aliens dangling from the ceiling, so Burkett and company yanked all that kitschy paraphernalia down and repainted the place inside and out. “We got rid of all the rocket ships and that kind of thing,” Burkett says. “It looks a little more