If going for a contemporary look, go white. If going for a cottage or traditional use of "shaker", go off-white. I personally like the off-white. I mixed mine going a natural color on most, but off-white on my island making it look more like a chest. Mixed granite tops also. Same hardware (black) on all.

Agreed, I'd much prefer pure white cabinets.

For a contemporary kitchen definitely pure white cabinets are best. However, I'd still go shaker style, but with just pure painted white doors like our Ice White Shaker door style:
http://www.kitchencabinetkings.com/kitchen-cabinets/ice-white-shaker