Town Talk Diner changes hands There have been a lot changes at the popular Town Talk Diner (2707 1/2 E. Lake St., Minneapolis, towntalkdiner.com), although diners might not notice, at least for a while. A few weeks ago, partners Tim Niver and Aaron Johnson -- co-owners of the Strip Club (378 Maria Av., St. Paul, domeats.com) -- sold their shares of the restaurant to their partner Tor Westgard, who started out as the restaurant's sous chef (under his pal, chef David Vlach) and became the restaurant's chef and managing partner in April 2007. Westgard then turned around and sold the place to the Theros Restaurant Group, which runs Rudolphs (1933 Lyndale Av. S., Minneapolis) and the St. Clair Broiler (1580 St. Clair Av., St. Paul). "It's the hardest decision I've ever had to make" said Westgard. "But the Town Talk isn't going anywhere."

Chef Tony Callies is continuing to run the kitchen, and bar manager Nick Kosevich, one of the city's most affable mixmasters, is staying behind the bar. Westgard has returned to the University of Minnesota to finish his bachelor's degree in business and then plans to go on to an MBA program. "I got what they call a 'street MBA' by running the restaurant," he said with a laugh. "Now I want a classical business education to match my classical culinary education."

Changes afoot Here's the problem with naming a restaurant after someone: When the namesake departs, what happens to the name on the door? Case in point: r.Norman's (700 Hennepin Av., Minneapolis). Randy Norman is no longer associated with the restaurant, so owner David Koch has rechristened the street-level joint the Seven Steakhouse, matching his adjacent second-floor Seven Sushi and rooftop Seven SkyBar. There's also a new chef in the kitchen. He's Craig Johnson, a Campiello, Cafe Lurcat and Dakota Jazz Club & Restaurant veteran. (Speaking of Campiello, word has it that a bar/restaurant is taking over the Uptown address that the D'Amicos vacated a few months ago).

Santorini (9920 Wayzata Blvd., St. Louis Park, santorinitaverna.com) is making a move. The Nicklow family's restaurant is leaving its longtime home at the end of the month and relocating to the Eden Prairie address (13000 Technology Dr.) that has been home to the Pickled Parrot and the Canyon Grille (13000 Technology Dr.). Look for a mid-November opening.

Coming Monday Two Minneapolis openings are planned for Oct. 20. In Lyn-Lake, moto-i (2940 Lyndale Av. S., moto-i.com) will feature house-brewed sakes (crafted by Blake Richardson, owner of the neighboring Herkimer) and a Japanese small-plates menu by chef Chris Olson, a recruit from Biwa in Portland, Ore. There's a rooftop deck, so hope for decent weather.

Spyhouse Coffee Shop (2451 Nicollet Av. S., spyhousecoffeeshop.com), which does the java thing very well, is launching a second location about 12 blocks to the west, at 2404 Hennepin Av. S.

Around town This sounds like fun: A free behind-the-scenes workroom tour at 82-year-old Regina's Fine Candies (2073 St. Clair Av., St. Paul, reginascandies.com), on Oct. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store, maker of an exceptional peanut brittle and other time-tested treats, will also be offering 20 percent off all candy purchases.

RICK NELSON

SEN YAI SEN LEK

Location: 2422 Central Av. NE., Minneapolis, 612-781-3046, senyai-senlek.com.

Hours: Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.