Carla's Monthly Dinner
One Saturday each month, Carla and her girls gather at a local restaurant for dinner, conversation and fun. Carla's Monthly Dinner is a transgender community tradition, and a wonderful time to make new friends, and to visit with old friends. If you've never gone out dressed before, or you're still a little shy and nervous about going out, Carla's Monthly Dinner is the outing for you—it's great opportunity to take those first steps out in public with the support of your new girlfriends!
While there isn't an official dress code for Carla's Monthly Dinner, please dress appropriately and in a ladylike fashion.
Below is a list of the restaurants we meet at. Check Carla's Calendar to see when and where this month's dinner will be.
La Pastaia Restaurant, at the Hotel De Anza
We discovered the La Pastaia when we chose the De Anza as the host hotel for the California Dreamin 2004 conference, and we've been going back ever since.
We meet in the De Anza's Hedley Club lounge for drinks beginning at 6 p.m., and move to the La Pastaia for dinner at about 6:30.
The La Pastaia serves a variety of contemporary rustic Italian dishes. Expect to spend $20-$25 for your meal and tip, not including your drinks. Dress: “La Pastaia is a comfortably upscale restaurant with no formal dress code, although business casual to casual elegant is encouraged.”
The De Anza has valet parking ($12.00) at the side entrance on Notre Dame Avenue. There is also public parking a block away on North Almaden Avenue.
The La Pastaia is located in the Hotel De Anza, at 233 W Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113.
[La Pastaia Google Map] [La Pastaia website]
La Paloma
“Run by third generation restaurateurs, La Paloma restaurant has pleased customers with exciting new and traditional Mexican dishes since 1977. La Paloma's colorfully accented interior is filled with loyalists who get what they want: good food, lots of it, at moderate prices.”
The La Paloma is located at 2280 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95050
[La Paloma Google Map] [La Paloma website]
House of Genji
From The Wave magazine: “If you're craving teppanyaki, or even if you just have a knife fetish, House of Genji is the place in the South Bay to watch some tableside juggling and chopping. Start with some salad and soup, sipped Japanese-style, and then watch as your chef plays with your food, threshing your choice of meats and vegetables into bite-sized pieces with circus-worthy flair on his teppan (Japanese for “iron”). ”
The House of Genji is located at 1335 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95112.
[House of Genji Google Map] [House of Genji website]
Cats Restaurant
Carla's girls have been dining at the Cats for years. We love its homey roadhouse décor and casual atmosphere. We begin arriving at 6 p.m., and gather at the end of the bar near the stage (turn left when you come through the door). At 6:30, we move to our table—usually, but not always, in the private dining room upstairs. After dinner, for those who want to stay, there's live music down in the bar.
The Cats menu includes steaks, chops, ribs, chicken and fish; all entrées include salad and baked potato. Expect to pay $22-$25 for dinner and tip, not including your drinks. Dress is decidedly casual—but feel free to dress up if the spirit moves you.
The Cats is located at 17533 Santa Cruz Hwy ,Los Gatos, CA 95033.