I am looking at the PHB II right now and I really have to work to feel even slightly distasteful towards the page mentioned by the OP. Respectfully, I think the OP needs to learn to use less hyperbole. It's in no way a terrible book, and the new races are intended to be exotic.
Firstly, OP, you say a tavern looking like Mos Eisley is a BAD thing? Think of it in context. Luke goes from living on a farm and dealing with maybe the odd alien once or twice (similar to seeing a few tieflings or dragonborn in town) into a major, exotic spaceport where cultures and peoples mix. It's like taking your human/elf/dwarf 1st level character from their home town to a major seaport and ducking into an inn, introducing them to the myriad fantastical creatures and cultures that spread throughout the greater realm (and the planes). It added a bit of mystery and wonder to the universe that Luke lived in, and it'll do the same for your characters.
Secondly... so variety is bad, in your opinion? And apparently the art is not to your liking? Then ignore the art (are you going to cut out the page and stick it on the gametable? No? Then you can feel safe in rarely ever seeing it again) and limit the races by talking with the DM or using DM-power. PRESTO CHANGE-O, magically you are now able to play with blinders and see only the more traditional races. It'll be like playing 3.x, but streamlined!
Finally, I'd just like to add that while it may be fun to jump on the nearest bandwagon and scream along with the guys at the gameshop about how terrible something or another is, if you'll just look for yourself and actually think about what you're seeing... maybe you'll reconsider getting online immediately and posting about how _____ sucks/destroys all your hopes, dreams and fanciful memories. "THIS is Dungeons & Dragons", eh? No. Dungeons & Dragons is whatever you and your gaming group make it. This is just a book to give some rules for new races and classes. Your childhood memories are safe from those terrible game designers who want to innovate and maybe even make some money for their effort. They can't force you to play the game by their rules.
Don't panic. Just enjoy what you want and look for the positive, rather than whinge about the negative. Maybe I'm crazy for thinking that's good advice. Oh well.