The Historic Armour House Mansion & Gardens

Wedding Guide - 2016

The Armour House -

Stylish Receptions on Chicago’s North Shore

Welcome to the Historic Armour House Mansions and Gardens at Lake Forest Academy. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this prestigiously located Italian Villa combines old world charm with a surprising contemporary style. It is with you in mind

that we proudly present this exquisite catering menu featuring the superb quality of our Executive Chef’s celebrated creativity and our dedication to satisfying any culinary request.

Accentuated by the warm glow of candlelight, the breathtaking grandeur of the Great Hall displays elegance in a free-flowing style for mingling and dining. The outdoors, the

refreshing scents and brilliant colors of the floral gardens, and the beautifully manicured lawns invite you to a romantic stroll under a bejeweled blanket of stars.

Back inside, the rhythm of music and dancing echo the boundless happiness surrounding the unique occasion.

We, the Armour House staff, are ready to receive you with the promise of excellent service upholding flawless reputation in hospitality and client satisfaction.

We wish you much joy as you embark on this memorable journey and thank you for making us a part of it; together we will orchestrate the event of your dreams.

History of the Armour House Mansion & Grounds

In the first decade of the 1900s, Jonathan Ogden Armour acquired the 1200-acre property then called Mellody Farm.

When Mr. Armour bought Mellody Farm, his wife, Lolita Sheldon Armour, was visiting in Vienna, the purchase of the land and planning of the 29,000 square foot Italianate mansion were arranged as a surprise for her. Under the direction

of the famous architect, Arthur Heun, they started building in 1904 on the grounds in which the mansion was raised, where the lakes now known as Eagle and Willow were also created . They were reputed to have spent a total of $10 million on the entire project: approximately $8 million on buildings and $2 million on landscaping

by noted landscape architect Jens Jensen. A private railroad siding was built so that freight cars could bring in the huge marble slabs, the bronze stair railings, and the hand-carved panels.

The house, known today as Reid Hall, was completed in 1908. The family moved in on May 5, 1908, and lived there until approximately September 1927. Many of the house’s mantle pieces (there are 15 fireplaces) and

the paneling of the library reading room, which the family used as a living room, were imported from Paris, Vienna and London.

In the marble dining room, it is interesting to note that while the main walls are of Italian marble, the central panels of each wall have been painted over the plaster to simulate actual marble. It is said that Mrs. Armour,

after enjoying the rare tapestries that hung in the room, she tired of them and engaged an artisan from Italy to paint the bare plaster that was uncovered when the tapestries were removed.

On entering the room, the uncritical eye does not detect the camouflage.

It is also reputed that the marble staircase was built with the primary purpose in mind that their daughter, Lolita Ogden Armour, would descend the curving stairway on her wedding day, which she did in 1921

when she married John J. Mitchell, Jr.

Mr. Armour had amassed an enormous fortune as president of the Armour Company and from successful widespread investments, but after World War I, failed investments resulted in the surrender

of the estate a few months before his death.

Following the takeover of the Armour property by the bank, the property was to be a golf club but never used and put into a private foundation which later sold to Lake Forest Academy in which to move the school where classes began in 1948. Today’s Academy grounds total approximately 170 acres.

Cold Hors D’ Oeuvres

Your Wedding Package includes a selection of Five Butler Passed Hors D’ Oeuvres; additional options available upon request.

Seafood

Meat or Poultry

Smoked Salmon Mousse on Cucumber

* English cucumber slice topped with salmon mousse of capers, onion, dill

Ahi Tuna

* Pepper crusted on a crisp wonton chip, wasabi aioli

Shrimp Cocktail Shooters

* Jumbo shrimp, traditional or mexican style cocktail sauce

Citrus Crab Salad

* Served on toasted crouton or tasting spoon

Ceviche

* Mahi mahi, lime, fruit relish, cilantro served served in tasting spoon

Fresh Fig with Gorgonzola

* Wrapped in prosciutto

Thai Beef Salad

* Tender sliced beef, scallions, carrots served in cucumber cup or tasting spoon

Horseradish Roast Beef

* Horseradish cream, mini roll or Croissant

Curried Chicken Salad Canapé

* Mango Chutney, dark rye, brioche

Vegetarian

Antipasti Kabob

* Grape tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, aged balsamic vinaigrette

Feta Cheese & Tomato Bruschetta

* Endive spears or garlic crostini

Soup Shooter

* Watermelon, avocado, classic green gazpacho

Hot Hors D’ Oeuvres

Your Wedding Package includes a selection of Five Butler Passed Hors D’ Oeuvres; additional options available upon request.

Seafood

Meat or Poultry

Crab Cakes

* Lump crab meat, green and red peppers, cayenne, breaded in Panko and fried

Scallops

* Bacon Wrapped or Gratineed with creamy gruyere served in tasting spoon

Mini Beef Wellington

* Tender beef, mushroom duxelle in puff pastry

Chicken or Vegetarian Empanadas

* Classic Spanish turnover; choice of seasoned chicken or vegetable

Grilled Beef Rolls or Chicken Rolls Skewers w/Ginger Sauce

* Tender beef rolled with carrots, scallions or chicken with chestnut and ginger

Baby Potatoes

* Roasted baby potatoes, brie cheese and pancetta or classic cheddar and bacon

Potstickers

* Vegetarian or Pork

Mini Tacos, Tostados or Taquitos (station only)

* Beef, chicken, shrimp or vegetarian BBQ Pork Sliders

* Pork shoulder, cabbage slaw, citrus BBQ sauce

Vegetarian

Caramelized Onion Tartlet

* Tartlet shell filled with sweet caramelized onion and goat cheese

Spanikopita

* Spinach, feta and pinenuts wrapped in phyllo, baked

Mixed Flatbreads

* Gorgonzola and caramelized onion; Exotic mushroom with Fontina; Sundried Tomato pesto with roasted vegetables, goat cheese

Brie, Raspberry & Almond Bites

* Phyllo tartlet shell, brie, toasted almonds, raspberry jam

The Plated Dinner Menu Your dinner includes a premium bar, together with a selection of five passed Hors d’oeuvres during Cocktail Hour,

followed by a Three Course Formal Dinner with Wine Pairing, Champagne Toast and a Custom designed Wedding Cake or Dessert and Coffee and Tea Service.

Salad Course

F o l l o w e d b y G o u r m e t B r e a d B a s k e t

Intermezzo R a s p b e r r y , P i n e a p p l e , M a n g o o r L e m o n S o r b e t

Entree

S e e p a g e 5 f o r o p t i o n s . A d d i t i o n a l c o u r s e s , s u c h a s p l a t e d

a p p e t i z e r o r s o u p , a l s o a v a i l a b l e .

Plated Appetizers

P r i c e s r e f l e c t i v e p e r p e r s o n

I f y o u p r e f e r t o s e r v e b o t h s o u p a n d s a l a d t h e r e i s a n a d d i t i o n a l c h a r g e .

Soup

Seafood Poultry Vegetarian

Seared Scallop, spring onion

puree, crème fraiche

Chili pepper grilled quail,

mushroom ragu

Asparagus and goat cheese tartlet

with basil cream

Lobster tarragon soufflé,

truffle saffron cream

Seared breast of duck, celery root purée,

crispy skin, jus

Parmesan Risotto, asparagus,

brown butter sauce

Crab Mornay Crepes

Hot Cold Wild Mushroom Bisque Classic Tomato Gazpacho

Winter Vegetable Melon, Lime and Mint

Lobster or Crab Bisque Vichyssoise (potato)

* Wild Greens with Pinenuts, Pansies & Balsamic Vinaigrette * Bibb Lettuce with Red Pepper, Jicama Batons & Lemon Vinaigrette

* Bibb Lettuce with Dried Cranberries, Gorgonzola, Glazed Walnuts & Raspberry Vinaigrette

* Heirloom Tomato Salad, Basil Aioli, Burrata, & Aged Balsamic

* Baby Spinach, Strawberries, Toasted Pecans, & Poppy Seed Dressing

* Baby Iceberg Wedge, Crumbled Feta, Bacon Lardons, Grape Tomatoes & Buttermilk Ranch Dressing or

Balsamic Vinaigrette * Romaine Hearts, Fresh Mozzarella, Grape Tomatoes, Ripe

Olives, & Red Wine Dressing

Plated Entrees P r i c e s a r e r e f l e c t e d a s p e r p e r s o n .

Sides include choice of garlic mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, creamy polenta or potenta cakes, wild rice pilaf accompanied by french green beans and baby carrots.

Duet Plated Options

Grilled Petite Filet of Beef with Bordelaise Sauce and…

Single Plated Options

Vegetarian Options

* Lobster Tail Poached in Butter and Garlic

* Grilled Salmon Filet, Herbed Butter Sauce

* Statler Chicken or Breast of Chicken with Black Pepper, Madeira

Beef:

* Red wine braised short ribs

* Grilled filet of beef with thyme or bordelaise sauce

* Grilled filet of beef with exotic mushroom sauce

Fish:

* Grilled salmon or salmon en croute with spinach, herbed butter sauce

* Macadamia crusted grouper, mango chutney or pistachio nut crusted halibut

* Prosciutto and sage wrapped halibut, creamy lemon and butter sauce

Pork:

* Berkshire bone-in pork chop

Chicken:

* Statler breast of chicken, wild exotic mushrooms, port wine sauce

* Boneless breast of chicken stuffed with artichokes, sundried tomatoes, capers or ricotta, spinach, pinenuts, parmesan sauce

* Boneless breast of chicken with black pepper and madeira

* Grilled eggplant involtini, ricotta, parmesan cheese, spinach, roasted tomato concasse

* Portobello mushroom cap with grilled vegetable tower, couscous, roasted red pepper coulis (vegan)

* Pasta and vegetable rotello, creamy tomato basil sauce * Exotic mushroom risotto, grilled asparagus

The Station Party

Your Station Party price includes Premium Bar, Five Butler Passed Hors D’Oeuvres, Plated Salad (see options

under Dinner Menu), Gourmet Bread Basket, Intermezzo, Two Food Stations, Wine and a Champagne

Toast during Dinner, Custom Wedding Cake or Dessert with Coffee and Tea Service.

Carving Station

C h o i c e o f t w o e n t r e e s :

Roasted Tenderloin of Beef,

Exotic Mushroom Stuffed OR Dijon Glazed Pork Loin,

Honey Glazed Bone-in Ham,

Grilled Salmon, Herb Butter sauce.

Entrees served with Roasted Red Potatoes, Oven Roasted Seasonal Vegetables, Herb Mayonnaise,

Horseradish, Mustard and a variety of Silver Dollar Rolls.

Pasta Station

C h o i c e o f t h r e e p a s t a s f r o m t h e f o l l o w i n g :

Sweet Potato Gnocchi, Whole Wheat Fettuccine, Rainbow Cheese Tortellini, Penne, Bow Tie or Cavatelli.

C h o i c e o f t h r e e s a u c e s f r o m t h e f o l l o w i n g :

Pesto, Garlic Cream, Tomato Basil,

Bolognese (meat sauce) or Portobello Cream.

Pasta and sauces served with Fresh Basil, Garlic

and Focaccia Bread.

Heavy Hors d’ Oeuvres

Below is only a suggested menu and other selections are available upon request.

Reception to include suggested format and menu as follows:

Premium Bar

Selected Five Butler Passed Hors D’ Oeuvres

Chef Carved Beef Tenderloin and Mushroom Stuffed or Dijon Glazed Pork Loin or Honey Glazed Bone-in Ham with

assorted rolls and accompaniments.

Jumbo Shrimp on Ice with Cocktail Sauce and Aioli Roasted Vegetable Antipasto and Breadsticks

Italian Style Grape Tomatoes and Fresh Mozzarella Salad, Tapenade with French Breads, Domestic and Imported

Cheese and Crackers with Grapes, Crudities with Herb Dip

Mini Dessert Buffet, Wedding Cake and Coffee and Tea Service

The Armour House Brunch Reception Your brunch includes a champagne toast, three passed Hors D’oeuvres, Two Food Stations, Custom Designed

Wedding Cake and Coffee and Tea Service.

Breakfast Station

Chef to prepare Waffles with Maple Syrup and Fruit Toppings

Assorted Miniature Muffins, Bagels and Rolls

Fresh Fruit Panache

Baked Egg Strata with Asparagus and Red Peppers

Hardwood Smoked Bacon and Sausage

Country Potatoes

Lunch Station

Beef Tenderloin with Bordelaise, Thyme, or Exotic Mushrooms Sauce***

Grilled Chicken Breast marinated with garlic and herbs

Mixed Wild Rice Pilaf

Chef Selection of Seasonal Vegetables

Rainbow Cheese Tortellini, Tri color Rotini, Bowtie pasta or Spinach & Artichoke Ravioli (select one) served with

Tomato Basil and Garlic Cream Sauce

Fresh Basil and Garlic

Spinach Salad with Strawberries Pecans and Poppy Seed Dressing

* * * N o t e : C h e f C a r v e d s t a t i o n c a n b e i n c l u d e d f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l $ 5 0

Bar Service T w o H o u r M i n i m u m B a r t e n d e r

The Wedding Cake

The Armour House is happy to assist you with your Wedding Cake. Our bakery partners work with you directly on a custom design.

There are a variety of styles and flavors to choose from, from the traditional, to the more creative as part of your wedding

package. If you have a design of your own in mind, we would be delighted to work with you to achieve your style.

Cake selection is done during the menu planning process.

Ordering Information

Your Wedding Cake must be ordered at least three weeks prior to the wedding date.

A 22” silver cake riser is available for an additional charge.

Deluxe Signature Coffee Service

Freshly Brewed Starbucks Regular and Decaffeinated Coffee,

Assorted Hot Teas, Cinnamon Sticks, Rock Candy Sticks, Chocolate Stirrers, Freshly Prepared Whipped Cream

Deluxe Signature Coffee Service with Cordials

Includes items above and cordials such as: Baileys, Kahlua, Amaretto, Sambuca, Courvoisier, Brandy, Frangelico,

DiSaronno, or Grand Manier

Desserts Selections to make your event even sweeter.

Milk Shake Shooters or Root Beer Floats

Vanilla, Chocolate or Strawberry milkshakes.

A d d M i n i D o u g h n u t s f o r a n a d d i t i o n a l c h a r g e .

Ice Cream Sundae Bar Up to three chosen ice cream flavors with toppings like candy or cookie crumbles, nuts, sprinkles, sauces and

freshly made whipped cream.

Milk & Cookies Specially chosen mix of cookies, regular and chocolate milk.

Cupcake Tower

S’Mores Bar Make your own S’Mores with classic Hershey bar, marshmallows and graham crackers.

Selection of Seasonal Fresh Fruits

Assorted Pies & Mini Pies

Chocolate Fountain Chocolate fountain includes a variety of dipping options and fresh fruits.

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries with Deluxe Coffee Service

Mini Dessert Buffet A sample of specially chosen mini desserts, including Coffee and Tea Service

(options vary depending on the bakery chosen for Wedding cake).

A s m a l l p e r p e r s o n s e r v i c e f e e w i l l b e a s s e s s e d f o r p a r t i e s

w i s h i n g t o p r o v i d e t h e i r o w n s w e e t s t a b l e . D e s s e r t s i n l i e u o f a

W e d d i n g c a k e p r i c i n g d e t e r m i n e d o n a a s n e e d e d b a s i s .

Late Night Snacks* Keep the party going with the following. Additional options available upon request.

Windy City

Mini Chicago style hot dogs or mini Italian Beef with fries.

Tailgate Snacks

Mini burgers, chicken wings, onion rings.

Mashed Potato Martini Bar

Mashed potato puree, steamed broccoli, sautéed mushrooms, shredded cheeses, bacon bits, crème fraiche, chives, butter.

Mac & Cheese

Mac and Cheese with bacon bits, sautéed mushrooms, steamed broccoli, scallions, roasted red peppers, spring peas, shredded cheese.

Chicago Style Pizza Party

Lou Malnati’s or Ferentinos, think or thin style

Build Your Own Burger

Premium beef burgers, assortment of toppings and fries.

Diner Dash

Scrambled eggs, hashbrowns or tater tots, bacon or sausage, mini pancakes and syrup.

Taco Stand

Beef or chicken, assorted toppings, corn and flour tortillas.

Domestic or Imported Cheese Platter

A variety of gourmet cheeses and accompaniments, Gourmet crackers and flatbreads.

Assorted Sushi (market price)

* Late night pricing based on 50% of event guest guarantee plus tax and service.

Bridal/Groom Suite Catering Select the following BEFORE the big event (priced per person). Additional options available upon request.

Non-Alcoholic Drinks Soft drinks, water, coffee and tea.

Bagels and Cream Cheese

Variety of bagels, cream cheeses, coffee, tea, water, juice.

Champagne Toast

Champagne and Pellegrino. (limit 2 bottles per party of 6)

Beer & Beverages

Assorted beers, bottled water and soft drinks (limit two per person).

Deli

Mini sandwiches: Ham & Cheddar, Turkey & Swiss, Roasted Vegetable Wraps, Chips, variety of soft drinks, water.

Crudite Variety of fresh vegetables, ranch dip

Mediterranean Hummus, Pita, Olives.

Continental Breakfast Variety of pastries, breads, yogurt, granola bars, coffee, tea, water, juice.

Seasonal Fruit Platter

Domestic or Imported Cheese Platter A variety of gourmet cheeses and accompaniments, Gourmet crackers and flatbreads.

Premium Liquor List

Spirits

(Grey Goose Vodka, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Chivas Regal Scotch and other fine spirits available at an additional cost.)

Beer & Cider

(A local craft brew may be available upon request for a minimal charge.)

Wines*

Cordials

(Available at Additional Cost)

*Substitutions may incur upcharges or corkage fees.

Ketel One & Absolute Vodka

Tanqueray Gin

Bacardi Rum

Captain Morgan Spiced Rum

Seagram’s Seven & VO

Glen Livet Scotch, J&B Scotch & Dewar’s Scotch

Jack Daniel’s

Maker’s Mark

Jameson Irish

Cuervo Gold Tequila

Crown Royal & Canadian Club

Amaretto / Peach Schnapps

Heineken

Miller Light

Corona

Coors Light

Samuel Adams

Amstel Light

Shocktop

Stella Artois Beer & Cidre

312

Seasonal options

Pinot Grigio

Chardonnay

Sauvignon Blanc

Malbec

Red Blend

Pinot Noir

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chandon Brut Champagne

E&J Brandy

Disaronno Amaretto

Kahlua

Grand Marnier

Frangelico

Bailey’s

Sandeman’s Port

B&B

Courvoisier

Drambuie

Chambord

Godiva Chocolate Liquor

Specialty Beverage Packages Enhance your event with one of these unique offerings.

Mimosa Bar

Variety of fruit purees, champagne, fresh fruit garnishes.

Champagne Tower

Includes specialty glasses (minimum of 50 guest count)

Beer Tasting Station

Whiskey Tasting Station You choose the theme (domestic or imported), specialty glasses.

Bloody Mary Bar

Blood mary mix, vodka, cheddar cheese cubes, sausage sticks, salami, shrimp, olives, celery, bacon strips, celery salt, hot sauce.

Infused Waters

Choose from a variety of waters, such as: Lemon, Cucumber & Mint, Blackberry & Mint, Strawberry and Pink Grapefruit or Lemon & Raspberry. Available before ceremony, if desired.

Signature Lemonades or Cocktails - P r i c i n g m a y v a r y -

Cost Analysis Client is responsible for floral, music/lighting, photography, and A/V systems.

Special Event Fee All charges are based on the minimum number of guests required. The minimum for a Saturday evening is 150 adults.

Rental of the historic mansion and gardens are $30.00 for events scheduled in 2016.

Entrée Price Includes Premium bar, champagne, hors d’oeuvres for the cocktail hour, wine with your meal, a formal dinner, the wedding cake with

coffee service. (Prices subject to change without notice.)

Alcohol Service Policy In accordance with liquor laws governing the state of Illinois and the city of Lake Forest, it is our policy that all liquor, wine and

beer be supplied Lake Forest Academy, with service no earlier than 5:00 PM. We require that only our servers and bartenders dis-pense alcoholic beverages and will request photo identification of any person who appears to be under legal drinking age. We re-serve the right to refuse alcoholic beverage service if a person is either under age or cannot produce proper identification and also to any person who, in our judgment, appears to be intoxicated. Liquor is for on-site consumption only and may not be removed

from premises.

Tax 7.5% sales tax applied to your billing.

Service Charges

All food and beverage is subject to 21% service charge.

Equipment

Rounds: 60” and 72”, indoor and outdoor chairs, china, flatware, and glassware. Buffet equipment includes silver chaffers, plat-ters, coffee and tea service. Elegance, Classic or Poplin Style linens and napkins are included, with several color options.

Patterned or Satin Specialty Linens available at an additional rental charge.

Valet Parking

Valet parking is available upon request serviced by three outside insured companies.

Additional Charges

Contact Dean Dutko at (847) 615-3219 or Christine Gaither at (847) 615-3295 for more information