MARCH 27, 2000 VOL. 155 NO. 12

Hot Spot
By DAFFYD RODERICK

TRAVEL WATCH Hong Kong's Palate Pleasers Lifted by dotcom fever, Hong Kong has come alive. One result: more cool eateries have opened in the past year than in the previous two combined Detour Lovers of good cuisine in Hong Kong can be thankful for Maria Lee Hot Spot If you're looking for a good old-fashioned barber, head for the Barbershop, in the heart of the brick-covered, beer-splattered streets of Lan Kwai Fong Hot Tip Visitors to Hong Kong in the coming months will be overwhelmed by the choice of things to do Web Crawling Hong Kong's guides to what's on

Hong Kong has its share of pseudo-celebrity stylists willing to shear your locks for princely sums, but getting a no-frills haircut can be a royal hassle. If you're looking for a good old-fashioned barber, head for the Barbershop, in the heart of the brick-covered, beer-splattered streets of Lan Kwai Fong. Offering simple, quick haircuts for $23, this stylish salon is the perfect place for a trim while you're in town on business. "For a lot of men, hair isn't an extremely high priority: they want it to look good, but they don't want to invest a huge amount money in getting it cut," says owner Darrin Usher. "What they want is a good haircut with a minimum of drama."

There's nothing minimalist about the shop, though. Replete with antique Belmont barber's chairs and original mahogany cabinets with brass fittings, the place is a pleasing throwback to the 1930s and '40s. The sounds of jazz fill the room, and original photographs of Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker gaze down from the walls. Customers seldom wait more than 15 minutes to climb into a chair. And since the shop offers a decent selection of Cuban and Filipino cigars as well as a coffee bar, few patrons mind a little lingering. The barbers, on the other hand, get right down to work. "We understand that busy people don't want to waste a lot of time fussing around," says manager Andrew Vonlochner. "So cuts take about 20 minutes."

But it's not all clip and run. While the emphasis is on efficiency, the Barbershop tries to provide a relaxed atmosphere. Clients who want a little more pampering can also receive shoulder and neck massages as well as facial treatments. Even the most manly of men wants to look his best. The Barbershop is located on the first floor of 15B Wellington Street. Call 2537-4292 to make an appointment, though one is usually not necessary.