Last night I met up with Steph and Alek and cajoled them into going out for a bite to eat at Outback Steak House so that they could FINALLY partake of the wonder that are Aussie Cheese Fries. The guys have heard about them but were never able to partake … and last night was the night:
Clearly, they got hooked. Our fries were delivered quickly and were totally finished off with in minutes … 5 minutes, I think. Yes, we’re kinda disgusting but we’re OK with it. You will note that Steph managed to stay out of every photo that we snapped yesterday … smart man.
After dinner, we decided to see a movie and settled down to watch the touching Holocaust movie The Boy in the Striped Pajamas:
Man, what can I say about this film … touching and sad, innocent and heartbreaking — it’s really a pretty amazing film. Other Holocaust-themed films are getting some attention this Awards Season (The Reader for being so good, Vaklyrie for being so bad) and I feel it’s an absolute crime that this movie is not getting the attention it deserves. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas takes a look at the horrors of the Holocaust thru the innocent eyes of young children and has a shocking ending that I don’t think anyone could’ve predicted. Young actors Asa Butterfield (who plays the protagonist Bruno) and Jack Scanlon (who plays Shmuel) give really quite stunning performances. In fact, Asa‘s performance is just as solid as any adult lead actor I’ve seen all year. I was just astounded at how well he was able to effectively convey the innocence necessary for his role. I was really taken by the unique way this story was told. Thru the eyes of children, many things don’t make sense and, in some cases, innocence really is bliss. This film is quite moving and absolutely heartbreaking. I wouldn’t recommend this film for a fun night out at the movies but I do feel it is a story that everyone should watch.
This afternoon, S&A and I are planning to head up to Griffith Park Observatory to snap some pics (I am still very much on my Polaroid kick) and catch a show at the planetarium (the Frenchies have never seen a show at Griffith Park) so I’m really looking forward to that. It’s warm and sunny and still the weekend. Ain’t life grand?
Did you know that the Aussie Cheese Fries are 2,900 calories? It was voted the worst food in America by Men’s Health.( http://www.menshealth.com/20worst/worstfood.html ) I bet they were good though!
@Meh… – I do know that and do not care. They are GLORIOUSLY divine :)
MMM–those cheese fries look DELICIOUS :)
Oh my god, Trent. I saw that movie back in November and I have never cried so much during a movie than I had for that one. You know how at the end of movies people usually get right up and leave…? Not for this one. People just sat there looking at the screen in absolute shock and heartbreak. What a touching, beautiful movie and you’re totally right about the acting. Asa did an amazing job. I recommend this for everyone to see. Just have your kleenex handy. …And an upper to take afterwards.
It almost look like Quebec’s poutine!!
If you ever come in Montreal (or anywhere in Quebec for that matter…), you MUST try the poutine!
It’s french fries, pieces of cheese and gravy.
Awful for the arteries, but sooo yummy!
What no bloomin onion to go with it??
I’ve got to admit, albeit being an aussie, I’ve never eaten/seen these “cheese fries”. Or drunk Fosters for that matter. Looks good though.
Me either Rob. lolol If I eat chips I eat them with tomato sauce and if I drink beer it’s XXXX Gold.
Hi Trent, just wanted to let you know that, as a proud Australian, Outback Steak House is about as non Australian as it gets. We do not eat Aussie Cheese Fries nor drink Fosters (its considered cat pee!). There are two restaurants in the entire country and I dont know one single person who has tried them!
I am also a big fan of the cheese fries…SO delicious!! I really only have them like once every 2-3 months because they are so intense, but sometimes you just have to let go and enjoy!
Hahaha. Yep, don’t think I’ve ever done the whole cheesy fries thing either. I think they really need to stock up on some good ol’ fashion fish and chips. As for Fosters, well I think that’s been covered. Maybe a nice cold Carlton could make it more normal.
Mate, I think you just have to come to Oz and try out some true Aussie cuisine – namely Hugh Jackman.
After I saw The Boy in the Striped Pajamas in theaters back in November the entire theater sat in stunned silence for a good five minutes after the movie ended. Incredibly sad. I only wish we had seen the German family’s reaction and (hopeful) transition.
I have to agree with the other aussie’s here and say when I went to the outback steak house, I don’t recall any foods that I particularly ate myself back at home. Cheesefries are good may I just add, tis a shame that you can’t get em from around hurr
Trent, based on your love for this movie can I recommend a book for you? I read this book because my sister recommended it to me. It’s by an Australian actor and it is categorized as youth fiction here in the U.S. but it is considered adult fiction in Australia. It’s called The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It’s the story of this young German girl Liesel and what happens to her when her foster parents decide to hide a young Jewish man in their basement. I’ve never cried so much while reading a book, but it’s also very lighthearted. I HIGHLY recommend it. Let me know what you think if you do read it or if you have already read it! -Diana
Haven’t seen the film, but I read up on it when I first heard of it, and uuugh. It sounds really good, but I dunno if I’d be able to sit through it. Such a sad ending. =(
Cheese fries talk aside, The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (Pajamas, in the U.S) is a book that was written by John Boyne, (an Irish writer, thus we were obligated to read and learn about it in school), and he wrote the entire first draft in two and a half days, without sleep. It’s pretty amazing… if you enjoyed the movie you should definitely read it. :)
gross, your “food” made me throw up a little, i can’t believe you actually ate that!! I don’t recall “cheese fries” ever being an aussie dish, i lived there for over a year and never once saw it on a menu lol…i think this is just typical American franchising trying to find a gimmick to lure people in, eeeew and Foster’s Beer!! come on!! for realz!!! blaaaaaaaaaaah! Try a Coopers Ale for some good drinks!
Try dipping their bread in the remoulade sauce… yummy!
Meh, Aussie Cheese Fries are for pussies. Tru poutine up here in Canada, it’s junk food heaveen – fries smothered in melted mozzarella cheese and gravy. Yummy!
It is true, we do not eat cheese fries in Australia! Actually Australians don’t feel the need to put cheese on everything. I went to the outback steakhouse and I agree that it could not be more unAustralian. What the f is the bloomin onion?