This little piggy spent . . . how much?

The pedicure was, for years, a predictable experience. Remove shoes, soak feet, pick polish, and go. The most you'd ever fork over was $30, max. But once Newbury Street salon Melt unveiled its $130 signature pedicure, we realized that tootsie tending has changed dramatically. A reconnaissance mission to nail salons all over town was in order. Here's what we found -- and what you get for the money:

MELT
172 Newbury St., 617-262-1116, meltboston.com
Atmosphere: Owner Melanie Tringali has an interior design background and wanted the spa to have a relaxed feel. Surrounded by area rugs and elegant wood armoires, you feel as if you've been ensconced in a cozy Manhattan co-op.
Hot polish: Manager Tara Pearson likes Suzy Loves Sidney, a shimmery shade of merlot, and a pink called Strawberry Margarita.
Cost: Classic Pedicure: $50; MELT Signature Pedicure: $130.
Special touches: You're treated to a glass of champagne or wine with your pedi. The Signature Pedicure includes lunch from Bouchée served on a tray while your feet are soaked, scrubbed, massaged, and otherwise beautified. An esthetician freshens your makeup, and you pocket products from Luzern . Sounds nice to us.

EXHALE SPA AND SALON
28 Arlington St., 617-532-7000, exhalespa.com
Atmosphere: Enter Exhale and the tumult of traffic is drowned out by the sounds of trickling water and soothing music. The waiting area features plush couches where you can settle in with an issue of W or Country Living or scan the selection of yoga attire. A Buddha figure presides over the pedicure room.
Hot polish: Exhale's Laina Seplow says light pinks like Ballet Slipper, Sugar Daddy, Mademoiselle, and Allure are in.
Cost: Fusion Pedicure: $53. Fusion Pedicure Plus: $80. Includes paraffin, glycolic peel, and additional 15 minutes of massage with green tea and seaweed lotion.
Special touches: Exhale serves its own herbal "elemental" teas, and you can choose your own organic soaking salts.

SQUARE NAIL STUDIO
11 Holland St., Somerville, 617-625-1118, squarenailstudio.com
Atmosphere: Settle into a mustard yellow, crushed velvet parlor chair for a soak at this distinctly vintage salon. The pocket-size space is adorned with gilded mirrors and swirling paisleys on the ceiling.
Hot polish: Owner Heather Wright says light pinks and silvers are summer musts. White is also in demand.
Cost: Basic pedicure: $40
Special touches: The salon makes its own scented scrubs and massage oils each season. New this spring: sandalwood lavender and lime. Finished nails are coated with oil and wrapped in plastic bags to keep them chip-free on your way out.

NURTURE
127 L St., South Boston, 617-269-0638, nurturesalonandspa.com
Atmosphere: Nurture could be your best friend's apartment. Rustic-chic furniture and plates of pastries set an informal, cozy tone.
Hot polish: Manicurist Christine Fedele says hot pink is hot.

Cost: Full-service pedicure: $40. Add $10 for paraffin treatment.
Special touches: Cappuccino and espresso are offered, and after 4 p.m., you can relax with a glass of wine. Soak your toes in a bowl awash with fresh lemons, limes, and mustard seeds.

PYARA SPA AND SALON
104 Mt. Auburn St., 617-497-9300, Cambridge, pyaraaveda.com
Atmosphere: Pyara is proof that the line between eco-consciousness and fashion-consciousness has blurred. The pedicure room features organic linen wallpaper and recycled vinyl cushions. Relax with one of the most varied magazine collections we found, including Variety, Newsweek, Shape, and US Weekly.
Hot polish: Reds, such as Chick Flick Cherry, and brights like fuchsia are big.
Cost: Focus Pedicure: $45. Caribbean Therapy Foot Treatment: $90
Special touches: Pyara uses all plant- and flower-based Aveda spa products.

NAMI SPA
12 Clarendon St., South End, 617-267-6264

Atmosphere: Only open since March, Nami already has a warm, familiar feel. Pedicure recliners are situated by a window that looks out onto a blossoming tree in a neighboring courtyard. Staffers create the soundtrack here, plugging their iPods into a dock.
Hot polish: Nami carries 70 shades by Zoya, which is formaldehyde-, toluene- and dibutyl phthalate -free. This summer, a wide spectrum of pinks -- from the vibrant to the pale -- are in, says owner Nicole Mills.
Cost: Basic pedicure: $45; deluxe spa foot therapy: $75.
Special touches: The emphasis at Nami is on foot massage. The soaking tubs are hand-blown Azurlite glass rigged with a bulb that provides light therapy treatment for your feet. The Gents' Foot Therapy includes a soak, scrub, massage, filing, cuticle maintenance, and a clear glass topcoat.

EMERGE BY GIULIANO
275 Newbury St., 617-437-0006. emergespasalon.com
Atmosphere: Emerge is a virtual beauty megaplex. There's bling in every detail, but it manages to stay warm and inviting on each of its five floors, especially the rooftop balcony. Men have their own clubby space where they can get groomed and watch TV.
Hot polish: Sheer whites feel fresh this season, says manicurist Maura Hudson. Also big: shades made with ground fish scales, which give off a faint metallic shimmer.
Cost: Classic Pedicure: $65; Luxury Caviar Pedicure: $70; Moor Mud Pedicure: $80
Special touches: A station in the waiting area offers bottled water, coffee, tea, and espresso. Plates of cookies are set out for guests, and fashion videos loop on the LCD television screen. What's with the mud, you ask? A foot and leg massage with Moor mud from the Scottish Moors is said to detoxify the skin, reduce swelling, and boost circulation.