Nail 45

Profile

A walk through Turtle Bay reveals a nail stop on almost every other block, but this shoebox-shaped salon distinguishes itself with more attentive service and a less frenetic vibe. Mani-pedis, done in the basic Essie spectrum of shades, are straightforward but thorough; wrap-up back massages at the drying stations feel longer and stronger than at other McNail competitors. Though many of the clients are repeats—midtown office workers on lunch breaks, moms from the high-rise apartments on Second Avenue—the shop also draws United Nations–bound tourists seeking TLC for their toes after days of pavement pounding. The décor is basic (white walls, wood floors, high-hat halogens), while the technicians deftly manage a musical-chairs rotation of clients. — Lexi Dwyer