For really special meals in LA:
Bastide (others will disagree)
Providence (new, closest approximation to Le Bernardin)
Nobu in Malibu for sushi (very casual - T shirt OK)
Locanda Veneta and Giorgio's are the best Italian
Spago, under the right circumstances (have to ask for the main room)
L'Orangerie (although I've been disappointed; only game for classic French)
Patina (new location - for the architecture)
Koi (to really be treated like sh*t in that LA sort of way)