Since you did not post any photos, I have no idea what shade of gray your cabinets are. If they are on the darker side, I would suggest a light colored countertop, especially with the black appliances. Here are some photos of kitchens from Houzz for inspiration:

Miller Family Room · More Info

Northern VA Kitchen · More Info

Why not choose a laminate that looks like cararra marble as mentioned above in that last pic.

I used 24 x 24 travertine marble floor tiles for kitchen counters in my cottage. No grout lines, just butted up against each other. Worked well since standard counter depth is 24". Tiles on clearance cost about $300 for entire job vs. $5K for granite. Had to get coordinating trim tiles for another 300. It was a great alternative to cheap formica and has worked well for the last 4 years. Lots of compliments.