Doug Henning was a Canadian magician and illusionist best known for his television specials and Broadway shows in the 1970s and 1980s. He was born on May 3, 1947, in Fort Garry, Manitoba, Canada. Henning became interested in magic at a young age and began performing tricks in his neighborhood. He gained national attention in 1974 when he appeared on the popular variety show, "The Merv Griffin Show." His charismatic personality and unique approach to magic quickly made him a household name. Henning's performances were known for their colorful costumes, theatrical sets, and mind-boggling illusions.
Fajita-seasoned Scrambled Eggs, Chicken Sausage, Peppers, Grilled Onions, Mushrooms. Cheddar Jack Golden Brown Crust. Served with Avocado and Salsa. Three AA Eggs* scrambled, Diced Bacon, Pork Sausage, Ham, and Cheddar Jack. Topped with Sausage Gravy, served with Skillets Potatoes, Grits, or a Fruit Cup
Vacationing on Fort Myers Beach, Florida and trying to decide which tempting option to start your day can be tough with so many delectable possibilities. Select a Flour or Wheat Tortilla per box and have it filled with your choice of Eggs scrambled with Smokehouse Bacon, Diced Tomato, and a Cheddar Jack Parmesan Cheese Blend - or - Eggs scrambled with Avocado Slices, Fresh Salsa, and Pepper Jack Cheese - or - Egg whites scrambled with Chopped Spinach, Mixed Peppers, and Parmesan Cheese.
Henning's performances were known for their colorful costumes, theatrical sets, and mind-boggling illusions. One of Henning's most famous tricks was the "Vanishing Elephant" illusion, where he would make a full-sized elephant disappear from the stage. This illusion became a signature of his act and showcased his ability to captivate audiences with grand-scale tricks.
We have a hunch you’ll like Bonita Brunch
When you open the menu at Bonita Brunch, the numbers are overwhelming: 25 omelets, six eggs benedicts, five burritos, six skillets and more. And that’s just the breakfast menu. The lunch list is equally staggering: 14 salads, 13 wraps and stuffed pitas, eight sandwiches, 15 burgers and melts and — well, you get the idea.
Owner Joe Vushaj is accustomed to big numbers. He came to the U.S. from Albania with nine brothers and sisters. The extended family eventually established themselves in the restaurant business in Michigan before some of the clan moved to Southwest Florida, where one of the brothers opened House of Omelets in Cape Coral.
Joe Vushaj launched Bonita Brunch with two daughters last November in the Bonefish Grill plaza in Bonita Springs — though you have to drive around to the back to find it. It’s worth the effort, as well as some temporary inconvenience due to a construction project at the plaza. We sampled just a minute fraction of the all-encompassing menu, but are eager to return and try more.
Bonita Brunch puts a modern spin on diner décor.
Our food clearly was made to order with fresh, quality ingredients and served in generous portions. Service is efficient and exceedingly warm — you may even get a waitress who takes “hands-on service” literally. The modernized diner atmosphere is appealing and on trend — shades, perhaps, of the rebranded First Watch’s farmhouse-chic?
The tile floor looks deceptively like aged wooden planks, which complements the neutral gray-tan-black color scheme and contrasts the sleek black vinyl booths. The busy kitchen sits behind a tomato-red wall framed by a homey striped valance and bookended by clusters of prefab decorations expressing generic aphorisms such as “live, love, eat” and “believe in the magic.” A beautiful, fresh red rose adorned our table.
Crabby Benedict features crab cakes topped with eggs, spinach, tomato and hollandaise.
Our waitress touted the specials, which included surprises like flambéed saganaki cheese and lamb chops with eggs and toast. As if there aren’t already enough choices when both breakfast and lunch items are served at noon.
Corned beef hash with two eggs and toast is one of the more traditional breakfast dishes.
We had originally set out to sample a bit of each menu, but our party included two people who rarely eat in the morning and one who could eat “breakfast food” for each meal of the day. So, we all wanted breakfast. Lunch will have to wait for another visit.
The trendier offerings include avocado toast topped with fried eggs and feta, chicken with waffles drizzled with maple syrup and honey mustard, and fanciful waffle/pancake/French toast flavors such as Reese’s peanut butter cup, S’More and Elvis (peanut butter and banana drizzled with chocolate). A picture on the restaurant’s Facebook page shows the gluttonous Sampler Skillet, a mix of corned beef, pastrami, peppers, cheese, eggs and home fries blanketed with sausage gravy.
You can concoct your own waffle creation with toppings such as Nutella and pecans at Bonita Brunch.
None of us was up to that cardiac challenge, but we managed to finish three very different dishes, washed down with glasses of fresh-brewed iced tea ($2.55) and Diet Coke ($2.55).
From the eggs benedict choices, I selected the Crabby Benedict ($12.75) — two crab cakes topped with tomato, spinach sautéed with garlic, two poached eggs and hollandaise and a dusting of Old Bay. At this price, you can hardly expect pure jumbo lump crabmeat; even though they were padded out with stuffing-like fillers, they still had good crab flavor and an appealingly crisp crust. The eggs were incredibly soft and silky, and the scratch-made hollandaise was not overly rich or over-applied. Each element of the dish was present in just the right proportion.
The corned beef hash ($9), in contrast, was more one-dimensional. The meat was very finely chopped — too finely chopped for our taste. If there were potatoes or onions or any other ingredients mixed in, they were so miniscule that we couldn’t taste them. We would have preferred a chunkier texture for the salty, crusty meat, and a little more complexity in flavor. The over-easy eggs were perfectly cooked, and the wheat toast was fine. Regardless of the criticisms, my guest cleaned his plate.
For those who prefer to a sweeter breakfast treat, there are plate-sized waffles ($8) with your choice of toppings from basic banana to cinnamon roll with a cream cheese glaze. The waffle itself was light and crispy, with a hint of vanilla. My guest opted for Nutella ($1.50) and pecan (50 cents) toppings, and they were amply applied, along with a dusting of powdered sugar. Two slices of good, chewy bacon were added on the side, which cost an extra $2.50.
Whether you start your day or take your lunch break at Bonita Brunch, I have a hunch you will find more than one item to satisfy your hunger.
(BZ) Steamed Spinach, Grilled Tomato Slices, topped with Sliced Avocado and Chopped Chives. Served with a Poached Egg*, Wheat Toast and a Fruit Cup
In addition to his television specials, Henning also had a successful run on Broadway with his show "The Magic Show." It premiered in 1974 and ran for over four years, earning him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Henning's success in the world of magic helped to popularize the art form and inspire a new generation of magicians. He brought a sense of wonder and excitement to his performances, making magic accessible to audiences of all ages. Tragically, Doug Henning passed away on February 7, 2000, at the age of 52 due to liver cancer. However, his contributions to the world of magic continue to resonate, and he is remembered as a pioneer in the field. Doug Henning's unique blend of magic, showmanship, and charismatic personality made him a beloved figure in the entertainment industry. His legacy lives on through his television specials, Broadway shows, and the countless magicians he inspired..
Reviews for "Doug Henning's Greatest Escapes: Thrills, Chills, and Illusions"
1. Sally - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with the "Doug Henning Magic" show. I expected a lot more from a renowned magician like him. The tricks were predictable and lacked any real wow factor. The audience participation was forced and seemed staged. Overall, it felt like he was just going through the motions and not putting in much effort. I would not recommend this show to anyone looking for true magic and entertainment.
2. John - 1 star
I regret attending the "Doug Henning Magic" show. It was a complete waste of time and money. The tricks were basic and didn't impress me at all. I could see how they were done, and it was all quite underwhelming. The stage setup and props were also outdated and unimpressive. If you're looking for a true magical experience, I would suggest skipping this show and finding a better magician.
3. Megan - 2 stars
I had high expectations for the "Doug Henning Magic" show, but unfortunately, it fell flat. The tricks were amateurish and lacked the finesse and skill one would expect from a renowned magician. The show lacked creativity and failed to captivate the audience. It felt outdated and unoriginal, with no unique twists or surprises. I left feeling disappointed and would not recommend it to others.
4. Mark - 1 star
I found the "Doug Henning Magic" show to be cheesy and unimpressive. The tricks were basic and unoriginal, and the execution was sloppy. The whole show felt like a poorly rehearsed school play rather than a professional magician's performance. The lack of innovation and creativity was evident throughout, making it a forgettable experience. I would not recommend wasting your time and money on this show.