In any other city, the Talianna Beauty Salon and Barber Shop would be well respected for its illustrious history - a presence in Hong Kong for almost half a century, at the pinnacle of which there were six branches in distinguished locations such as The Peak, Repulse Bay and the old Hilton Hotel on Queen's Road Central. Only one remains, among the retro tailors and optical stores of Central's time-warp arcade, Melbourne Plaza.
With its classically comfortable barber chairs and smells of sharp aftershave, it's a barbershop that's a blast from the past. Owner David Chan sits at the reception desk eager to talk about the good old days, while his crew of quick-snipping barbers are capable hands, sending one customer after another happily out the door.
The shave and haircut (HK$360) harks back to the in-and-out days of bankers and brokers, when a trim and a shear was a weekly appointment. No wash is given before the cut, but the barbers are more than happy to fulfil your every trimming preference (electric razor or scissors) and styling needs (gel or pomade).
But it's not the haircut that stands out; in these days of safety razors, it's the traditional wet shave that most covet. It begins with an alternation of lather and hot towel until the facial hairs are thoroughly raised. The barber then reveals the cut-throat razor, its sharpened edge shining frighteningly in Talianna's overhead lights. But while it can be somewhat alarming when he nears your Adam's apple, the smooth glide of the blade and his quick shearing proves that your shaver is a skilled bladesman.
It's then a case of a stinging disinfectant soap rubbed across the shaved area, a little bit of Mandom aftershave, a final hot towel over the entire face and you're all done.
While the quick and easy multiblade approach is preferable to many, splurging out every few months for a straight razor shave can be worth it for reasons of relaxation. And at Talianna's prices - which easily undercut the somewhat steep five-star hotel barbers - a clean, close shave and the haircut are worth the price.