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 some 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]

Scott's San Jose

“Scott's Seafood Restaurant is a Bay Area tradition in the heart of downtown San Jose. Their American regional cuisine features the freshest seafood, pasta, chicken dishes ans USDA priome, dry-aged steaks. Relax with a drink from their full bar or let their professional wait staff help you choose the perfect wine to complement your meal. Enjoy views of San Jose and the surrounding hills of Silicon Valley from the sixth floor. The interior is inviting for all occaisions, from casual dining to special occaisions, business meetings or your event..”

Scott's Seafood of San Jose is located at 185 Park Avenue, San Jose, CA 95113

[Scott's Seafood Google Map]  [Scott's website]