• Martial Vivot at Paul Labrecque

  171 E. 65th St., in the Chatham Hotel, 212-988-7816

  Even for enthusiasts, a hot shave is a treat, so indulgence is paramount: super-smelling oils, menthol-scented hot towels, and uncannily smooth results. Rigorous testing proved that the decisive winner is Martial Vivot at Paul Labrecque, an impossibly French gentleman who gets closer than any other barber without a trace of razor burn, and does it all without removing his suit jacket. (Purists take heed: He does touch up concave spots and edges with a safety razor before returning to the straight blade at the finish.) Worth every penny of the $45 (not including tip).

From the 2007 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine