(This venue is closed.) Often shave ice sports the brightest colors found in nature (come to think of it, that goes for Hawaiian shirts, too). But it's more essential to replicate the snowy texture found in winter atop Mauna Kea (or some more accessible mountain peak). Mr. Tiki's makings are very fine-textured; his machine shaves off broad, thin planes of ice that are patted, gently, into a spheroid shape. This "small" ($2.50) was slightly bigger than a softball. The scarlet bloom and pale brown fringe are the colors of cherry cola.
Mr. Tiki's Hawaiian Shave Ice
In a window of Karvalas Pizza, 108 Seventh Ave. South (at Christopher St.), Manhattan
Sporadic hours, most likely afternoons and early evenings in warm weather
