Chez Wok.

If we needed a pick-me-up after last month's culinary disappointment, we certainly found it at the deliciously Chinese Chez Wok. Upon entering, we were greeted by a blind usher in charge of the coat check, who seemed able to identify a client's coat out of the bunch just by remembering his voice.

We then walked upstairs to the dining area, highlighted by a simple and somewhat disappointing decor. The dark gray carpet and yellow walls were more reminiscent of a cheaply designed apartment than a fine restaurant and the unimaginative horizontal windows only accentuated that perception. But there were some bright spots. A small Chinese garden in the back added some needed color and the sleek dishes and silverware were on par with the high standards ChezWok conveys through its tasty dishes and impeccable service.

We started off our feast with three sets of dumplings: vegetable, shrimp and meat. While the 50-peso tag for each order of dim sum was pricey, the mouthwatering taste helped remind us why we work so hard for the finer things in life. In addition, we ordered a savory wonton soup and an equally good hot and sour soup. Complimentary tea served hot was a welcome Chinese touch, though it may have been better appreciated after the meal to aid digestion.

"The main dishes at Chez Wok are meant to be shared, and that's exactly what the waiter had in mind when he put a little of everything on our plates. The first of the entrees I finished was the tofu with rice noodles arm portabello mushrooms. Though I am not a big tofu fan, I was temporarily turned into one while eating this concoction.

Another delicacy mixed into our platter was jumbo shrimp in pepper sauce. The tender shrimp were extremely tasty and the sauce--despite its name--was not very spicy and served as a great complement.

The last of our three main dishes was a typical Chinese roasted duck served in not-so-typical tortillas (we are in Mexico after all). Our waiter was nice enough to cut up the large fowl and serve it around, which after three servings proved difficult to finish. But with food cooked to such perfection, we made the effort to find extra room in our bellies.

After such a sumptuous and filling meal, there was only one thing left that could have possibly come to our minds ... dessert. We ordered three: an apple and cinnamon pudding, white chocolate pudding with raspberry topping and a creme brulee. The puddings were not: your run-of-the-mill mush--but more like pie slices, excellent ones, and the speed at which the creme brulee was downed could have rivaled that of a tequila shot.

ChezWok certainly exceeded the culinary standards demanding food lovers expect from an upscale restaurant in a ritzy part of town, even if it is fairly expensive. But like they say in the classic L'Oreal commercials, "you're worth it."