Opened in July, 2008, and named Best Men’s Salon by New York Magazine in March, 2009, Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes is the first men’s salon in Manhattan to have world-class stylists on staff, and to offer the same caliber of service to men the world’s most illustrious women enjoy at the city’s legendary unisex salons.

Debonair readers can get a onetime haircut with Victor or Mari at $75.00.  This is a 40% savings from the regular price.

Members should contact the salon via email, bookings@martialvivot.com and include in the subject line DMMV to receive this great offer.

Martial Vivot Salon Pour Hommes

39 W 54th St (behind the MoMa)

http://martialvivot.com/salon.html

Los Cabos is the ultimate Mexican party town. It has everything you can think of for a perfect vacation: great food, awesome beaches, outdoor sports and non-stop nightlife. Yet the best news about Los Cabos is that it can be affordable for people other than trustafarians. Here’s how to do it.

Cheap Sleep

Stay at a Whore House: The three-story building that is now the Cabo Inn Hotel once had the distinction of being the town’s most frequented bordello. These days, its popularity is based on its reputation as the best budget hotel in Los Cabos. Check out the rates: The Cabo Inn Hotel is right in the heart of town, so you don’t need to waste money on expensive taxi rides.

Make a note that although you can reserve your room by credit card, you will need to pay in cold hard cash, but at these prices, it’s worth it to keep your plastic safely in your pocket. The hotel management will give you filtered water to fill up your water bottle, so there’s no need to worry about Montezuma’s Revenge! If you like fishing, the Cabo Inn Hotel supplies a freezer for your catch, as well as an outdoor barbeque to cook it. In fact, many of the restaurants in Los Cabos will do the same. This can save you a few bucks.

Or Not: The Cabo Inn Hotel is not the only affordable lodging in town. Check out Club Cabos: With rates starting at $45 a night, you can’t afford not to go. If you can’t get a sitter for the pooch, take him along! Club Cabos is pet friendly. If you’re on a really tight budget, the Cabo Inn Hotel also has a campground. The cost: $10 a person.

Romance on a Budget: Want to show the GF that you’re a sensitive guy? The Mexican Inn has definite “chick appeal.”

Each room is named after a “beautiful Mexican senorita.” It’s a chick thing. She will love it. At rates between $5 and $65 nightly, so will you!

Cheap Eats

Take Out at The Taquerias

The Taquerias are a long-standing tradition in Los Cabos. While they might be the types of establishments you would avoid like the plague in the big cities, in Los Cabos, they are actually quite good. Even better, the food is quite cheap. The only caveat is that some of them have rather quirky schedules. Some might open in the morning, and close around lunchtime. Here is a link to some of the Los Cabos Taquerias.

Morelos and Vicario Streets in San Lucas

If you are staying in Cabos San Lucas, there are a variety of mom and pop budget restaurants on Morelos or Vicario streets. A specialty item of this area of Cabos is the Papas Rellenos, which is a baked potato stuffed with different types of fillings.

I Love the Nightlife

The Giggling Marlin is one of the many hot party spots in Los Cabos. The food is also quite good, and not too expensive. If you like seafood, try the shrimp fajitas. Their specialty drink is called the Skip and Go Naked. It’s made up of a bunch of fruit juices and a few of their “secret” liquors. After a few of these, you might imagine that you are seeing rooster walking around the restaurant. You are not imagining things. The restaurant has its own rooster. It even does the Cocka-doodle-do thing. In the evening, the Giggling Marlin turns into a nightclub. If you have ever harbored secret bondage fantasies, you might enjoy being strung up like a marlin and hung upside down. Do you think we’re kidding? Check this out!

Zoo Bar and Dance has a steep $25 entrance fee, but the drinks are always two for the price of one, and Margaritas are free from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

Fun in the Sun

The glass bottom boat ride to El Arco should not be missed. El Arco is a stone arch that marks the point where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. The boat ride costs about $20. Don’t be surprised if a sea lion comes by your boat to say hello, or if a pelican decides to hitch a ride. If that happens, take a photo. It’s a great way to pick up girls!

You can also take the glass bottom boat to Lover’s Beach. If you decide to swim, avoid the Pacific side. Waters here can be rather rough. However, they are calmer and smoother on the bay side.

Some of the beaches in Los Cabos are not recommended for swimming. In fact, at some places, the tide is so strong that it may not even be safe to walk too close to the water’s edge. The mother of all waves can appear out of nowhere. If she’s hungry, she will try to drag you out to sea. Be careful out there! The Playa Medano is within walking distance from downtown Cabos. Several parts of this beach are designated as safe swimming areas.

Los Cabos can be a great place to party, get active or unwind, andis doable even on a college student’s budget. Why not soak up some sun?

Great food, non-stop nightlife and lovely South American ladies are but a few of the reasons to visit Buenos Aires. We’re going to give you one more reason to go there: It’s dirt-cheap!

Cheap Sleeps

Food and lodging in Buenos Aires is so inexpensive, that even if the airfare is somewhat high, you might still be getting a better deal than some of the traditional Spring Break destinations. For example, at the Hostel Inn Buenos Aires, rooms are just $10 a night! They offer a complete breakfast, as well as free wifi and Internet access. If you would prefer a hotel, The Waldorf has rooms from $38 a night. The hotel is located near the famous Recoleta Cemetery, where Evita Peron is buried.

The Art Hotel in the Recoleta district of Buenos Aires is a boutique hotel in a 100-year old townhouse. The hotel has an art gallery, as well as a small café where breakfast, which is included in your room rate, is served. Breakfast consists of a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, cheeses, yogurts and breads, as well as a unique type of hard-boiled egg, which is about the size of a cherry tomato. There is also a PC in the lobby, with free Internet access. Rates for a single, twin room are 85 pesos, which, at the current exchange rate, comes to about $27.50.

Exploring the City

Definitely visit the Recoleta district of Buenos Aires. The Recoleta Cemetery is home to some of the most famous leaders in Argentina’s history, such as Eva Peron. Each “grave” is actually the size of a small home. If you go on the weekend, there is a crafts fair outside the cemetery, where you can pick up inexpensive gifts for the GF.

Speaking of Eva Peron, if you are interested in that period of history, visit the Evita Museum, located at 2988 Lafinur Street in the Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires. You’ll find rare footage of her speeches, as well as interesting photos that depict the political career of Juan and Eva Peron.

For a unique view of Buenos Aires, pay a visit to La Boca. From the colorful houses, the murals and the tango dancers on the street, a visit to La Boca lets you know that you are truly in South America. In many ways, this is the best way to see tango dancing. For a small price, you can even dance with one of the ladies.

Cheap Eats

With the exception of the obvious tourist traps, it’s easy to find inexpensive places to eat in Buenos Aires. Although beef is the national specialty, contrary to rumor, it is possible to find non-beef items such as chicken and pizza. Keep in mind that South Americans tend to eat very late. Most restaurants stay open until 2:00 AM. The restaurant Cabaña las Lilas, located at Alicia Moreau de Justo 516, is probably the most popular restaurant for beefeaters. It’s always crowded, so get there as early as possible.

When you get tired of eating beef, and start craving some inexpensive seafood, check out Laurak Bat, a Basque restaurant that specializes in seafood. It is located at Av Belgrano 1144.

Side Trips to Iguazu Falls

If you have the time, visit Iguazu Falls. The falls actually mark the border between Argentina and Brazil. It’s possible to get a flight for under $100 from Buenos Aires to Iguazu. For information, check here. The Argentine side of Iguazu Falls allows you to look at each individual part of the falls, whereas the Brazilian side gives you a panoramic view. To visit the Brazilian side, you will need to purchase a visa. However, an Argentine taxi driver can also take you across the border without a visa. While this is a pretty standard practice, do this only at your own risk.

Don’t miss the hike that brings you to the raft ride through the falls. Although they supply raincoats, you will probably be so warm by the time that you get there; you will appreciate the blast of cold water. The word “Iguazu” is derived from the words “large” and “waters.” This is the understatement of the year! The falls are massive. Almost as fascinating as the falls is the hike through Iguazu National Park, where you’ll find a variety of interesting wildlife, such as monkey-like creatures called coati as well as multi–colored birds. The Hotel Saint George has rooms that include breakfast and dinner for under $100 a night.

Colonia

When the heat of Buenos Aires becomes oppressive, a day trip to Colonia, Uruguay is just what the doctor ordered. Fortunately, you can get there by a 40-minute boat ride, Buquebus even serves food, which is more than anyone can say about the airlines these days! Cool breezes, cobblestone streets and inexpensive crafts shops characterize the town of Colonia. Given its location, it’s also a great place for seafood.

Given the amount of time it takes to travel to Buenos Aires, you probably want to allow for a one-week vacation. Be sure to pack comfortable walking shoes, and carry a water bottle at all times. Have fun!

Winston Churchill, Bill Clinton, George Peppard, and Wolverine are all men of distinction and all men who enjoy a good cigar. This poses the question, though, what makes a good cigar? It turns out that cigars (unlike cigarettes) are created by professionals with precision and artistry. Premium cigars are not made, but crafted.

Cigar tobacco takes only 4 1/2 months to go from seed to harvest. After that, things begin to heat up. Like fine wine or well crafted microbrew, for cigars, it all starts with fermentation. Tobacco is first moistened and then piled into towering stacks (or bales). The interior temperature of these bales can reach as high as 140 degrees Fahrenheit as the old gods of chemistry do their thing. Their thing, specifically, removes ammonia from the tobacco and releases nicotine. During this stage, the tobacco may be turned and remoistened up to three or four times.

Fermentation ceases and the tobacco is then bound in burlap to age for at least 18 months to two years. Some manufacturers may keep the tobacco stored this way for up to 10 years. When ready for use, the tobacco is moistened again to insure that it will be malleable enough for the master blender and rollers.

The executive chef of the cigar world is the master blender. The master blender brings several types of tobacco of varying strengths and taste into balance and harmony. Once the master blender has achieved his desired formulation, it is sent to the roller’s desk. Each type of tobacco is stored separately at the roller’s desk until it’s time to roll the cigar.

It’s time to roll the cigar. The roller takes the leaves and places them into a large, flat, elastic leaf called a “binder”. The tobacco is then rolled into a bunch and then cut to length. The bunch is then placed into a wooden mold. The wooden mold is placed in a screw press, pressed, the bunch inside is turned over, and pressed again. This process usually takes about an hour.

The bunch is then removed from the mold and placed inside a very elastic and visually appealing “wrapper” leaf. This represents a critical moment in the process and the cigar roller must keep constant pressure on the bunch and the wrapper as he rolls the two into a shape which more closely resembles a cigar. A dab of vegetable glue is added to prevent unraveling.

Cigars are then inspected by hand for weight and the presence of hard or soft spots. Hard spots could make for difficult or uneven smoking. Soft spots could cause a cigar to burn unevenly. Cigars with these defects present are promptly rejected. Cigars are then weighed, typically in bunches of 50. If significant weight variations are detected they may be sent back to the rollers. Skilled rollers roll cigars with weight variation of less than a gram. That’s the approximate weight of a paper clip.

Cigars which pass these rigorous standards are sent to the aging room. The aging period allows the flavors of the differing tobaccos to intermingle which further balances the ultimate taste. An aging period of 21 days is typical, though some companies may choose to age their cigars for up to 6 months. After the process is complete, the cigars are again inspected for variations of the wrapper leaf color and, finally, boxed for shipping.

The cigars are then shipped to fine cigar shops and other expert retailers to be purchased by men of distinction and taste, such as yourself – a debonair man.

Debonair readers can indulge further with a free cigar from Velvet Cigar, featured in our Dividends section.

Provided by Velvet Cigar lounge in collaboration with Dominic Griffin.

WHO:

[Alex Yoo] Alexander West is an purveyor of fine bespoke dress and tuxedo shirts to the style-conscious metropolitan professional.  Alexander West clients can craft their dress shirts according to their specific body measurements.  In addition to custom fit, all clients choose their favorite collar, cuff, front, back, bottom, pocket and monogram styles for a unique bespoke experience.  www.alexander-west.com

WHAT:

Debonair readers receive a 15% discount

How to Redeem:

[Alex Yoo] Redeem at our NY SoHo Showroom or online.  Just mention debonair or use the enter the promotion code in the payment page.

Promotion code: PC253121

Value: 15% off the entire order

NY SOHO SHOWROOM (*By Appointment Only*) (one block away from SoHo Apple Store) 110 Greene, Suite 404

New York, NY 10012

THE FINE PRINT:

Expiration: 10/31/2011