Providence

Since 2005, Michael Cimarusti has set the gold standard for seafood-focused tasting menus—and garnered a James Beard Award and two Michelin stars in the process. As an L.A. fine dining institution, you'll find all the hallmarks of the white tablecloth experience: top-notch service, delicate amuse-bouches and, of course, high-quality shellfish and finned fish from all over the world. Cimarusti combs the world's waters to showcase pristine seafood in imaginative (and occasionally sustainable) ways, like Providence's signature farm-raised caviar and Santa Barbara uni nestled above a decadent egg yolk. A recent renovation, pastry chef Mac Daniel Dimla's zero-waste chocolate desserts and a compelling non-alcoholic pairing ($125) reflect the restaurant's ability to keep up with the times—a distinction that other L.A.'s other veteran fine dining spots don't necessarily have.