Note: this review is ONLY for the shave ice, not for the poke.
Hawaiian shave ice is special; it doesn't just taste like a snow cone. You know, the pure sugar juice that tastes like a melted freezie and then crushed ice that you get bored of almost instantly. Nope.
In Hawaii this treat is massively elevated and has a special texture that is closer to sorbet or even ice-cream. The sauces are made in house; there are tropical add-ins; it is shaved ice but it somehow comes together for a smooth texture. You will likely want to share a shave ice but you will both finish it with glee.
At Ululani's there are famous flavour combos like the Sunset Beach (Guava, Mango, Passion Orange), the No Ka Oi (Coconut, Mango, Liliko'i), Local Motion (Mango, Li Hing Mui, Pineapple - topped with Li Hing Mui Powder) or Coconut Lovers (Coconut, Tiger's Blood, Pina Colada, toasted coconut).
North Poke didn't come close to any of the described experience.
While I truly appreciate the effort of bringing the idea to Toronto and the adorable presentation, the taste and texture of my shave ice was unsatisfactory. It literally tasted like grainy ice and whatever syrups (and not enough, for that matter). Yes, it was a subpar North American snow cone. For this concept to succeed, the unique texture of a real Hawaiian shave ice will need to be worked on and perfected.
Keep up the work, North Poke!