2. INDIA HOUSE HISTORY
India House has a long and distinguished heritage tied into the formation of lower Manhattan as well
as the history of business and commerce of New York.
The landmark India House was constructed by the builder Richard Carman some time after the fire
of 1835, in the style of a Renaissance palazzo, residential palaces of Italian banking families. It was
the home of the Hanover Bank who first purchased the property.
The edifice has remained almost unchanged since that date. Extensive restoration work was
completed in 2005. The name India House was selected to symbolize the Indies, which were believed
to epitomize the rare and exotic. The name also pays homage to the Dutch West India Company, the
first colonizers of Manhattan.
After the Hanover Bank moved out, the property became the possession of Robert L. Maitland. His
company Maitland and Company were tobacco importers. The property was subsequently used by
the New York Cotton Exchange (1870 to 1885), and later by W.R. Grace & Company.
India House, as an organization, came into being in 1914, when a group of business men headed by
James A. Farrell, then president of United States Steel Company, in collaboration with Willard
Straight, decided to create a meeting place for the interests of foreign trade. Presidents of the
Lackawanna Steel Company, Dollar Steamship Company, W.R. Grace Shipping, Chase National
Bank, and United States Rubber all became Governors of India House and remained active during
its first two decades.
The national Foreign Trade Council made India House its headquarters. Leaders in commerce
worldwide graced the halls at India House. Indeed, from its very inception, the club's charter stated
that its goal was to "create in this country a relation between the bankers and the promoters of
foreign enterprises that would make it possible to handle foreign undertakings “.
Early in 1918 Willard Straight bought the property with the idea that India House might some day
wish to own it. Through the generosity of Mrs. Dorothy Payne Whitney-Straight (Elmhirst), India
House acquired the property in February 1921, and on the expiration of certain leases in 1924,
rearranged and rebuilt the structure.
In 1925, Mr. William A. Delano, the well-known architect added what is now known as the Marine
Room, with special lighting and architectural details that relate to marine life and seafaring.
Extensive alterations were made and the rooms were fitted out in the spirit of the early American
overseas trade.
Dorothy Whitney and her husband Willard Straight collected and gave a collection of thirty-five ship
models, and subsequently a large collection of paintings, prints, maritime relics and other decorations
which had been loaned to the Club when it was formed and had given it much of its unique
atmosphere. These and other gifts from members and friends have given the Club a very fine
collection of paintings, models and other art objects connected with sailing vessels, seafaring life and
trade with East India.
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
3. Mr. James A. Farrell, the President, gave, then and later, rare ship models, engravings and paintings.
Mr. Straight donated a collection of Chinese art objects and maritime paintings. India House is home
to one of the finest marine art collections in the world. India House has remained a private club and
a location to build relationships between businesses in the United States and foreign trade. The
maritime historian, Frank O. Braynard, in his 1973 foreword to the second edition of The Marine
Collection at India House, states that "England could not have survived [World War Two] without
the armada of American-built, American-manned, American-operated merchant vessels...managed by
many of the outstanding members of India House."
Many statesmen have been members of India House, including Franklin D. Roosevelt, Harry
Hopkins, Henry Morgenthau, Jr., James Byrnes, W. Averell Harriman, George C. Marshall, Henry
Cabot Lodge and Cyrus Vance. Other members include previous mayors of New York, including
John P. O'Brien and the famous architect William Adams Delano, whose firm, Delano & Aldrich,
redesigned the interior of India House.
HOLIDAY RECEPTION PACKAGES
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
4. PACKAGE 1
3 Hour Beer, Wine & Soft Drink
1 Hour of Chef’s Selection of 8 Passed Hors D’oeuvres
1 Cocktail Station
$65.00 per guest
PACKAGE 2
3 Hour Premium Beverage Service
1 Hour Chef’s Selection of 8 Passed Hors D’oeuvres
2 Cocktail Station
$80.00 per guest
PACKAGE 3
3 Hour Premium Beverage Service
1 Hour Chef‘s Selection of 8 Passed Hors D’oeuvres
2 Cocktail Stations
Holiday Dessert Station
$90.00 per guest
PACKAGE 4
3 Hour Premium Beverage Service
1 Hour Chef’s Selection of 8 Passed Hors D’oeuvres
2 Cocktail Stations
1 Carving Station
1 Premium Station
Holiday Dessert Station
$115.00 per guest
~F&B Minimums will Apply~
~Custom Menus Also Available upon Request~
~Addition hour for your reception $10.00 per guest~
~Seasonal Menu Items will be available for the Holiday Season~
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
5. COCKTAIL RECEPTION MENUS
BUTLERED HORS D’OEUVRES
Please Select Four
Vegetable Spring Rolls, Hot and Sour Sauce
Chipotle Shrimp Kabobs
Mini Crab Cakes, Old Bay Aioli
Chicken Satay Kabobs, Peanut Dipping Sauce
Petit Beef Wellingtons, Truffle Sauce
Franks en Croute
**Baby Lamb Chops, Mint Jelly
Spinach Tartlet
Duck Confit Quesadilla
Brie, Walnut and Cranberry Purse
Lobster Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushroom & Pea Risotto
Pork Dumplings
BUTLERED COLD CANAPÉS
Please Select Four
Smoked Salmon Roulade
Mini Greek Salad on Endive Spear
Salmon Tartare on Wasabi Rice Crackers
**Classic Shrimp Cocktail
Tomato Basil Bruschetta
Truffled Chicken Salad on Mini English Muffin
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Mozzarella and Grape Tomato Skewers
Goat & Mushroom Crostini
**Subject to additional charge
COCKTAIL STATIONS
Pasta Station
Please Select Two
Penne a la Vodka
Fettuccini Alfredo
Linguini with Clam Sauce
Rigatoni with Puntanesca Sauce
Spaghetti with Tomato Basil Marinara
Shrimp a ala Diablo with Bucatini Pasta
Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe, Sweet Sausages, Garlic Broth
Fresh Ravioli with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pesto Cream Sauce
Truffled Mushroom Cavatelli
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
6. Fresh Fruit, Cheese and Crudités
Brie, Blue Cheese, Goat Cheese, Cheddar Cheese,
Strawberries, Grapes, Raspberries, Mixed Nuts, Dried Cranberries, Crisp Crackers,
Fresh Bread, Broccoli Florettes, Cauliflower Florettes, Baby Carrots,
Enoki Mushrooms, Grape Tomatoes, Endive Spears, Asparagus
Served with Blue Cheese Dip and Tomato Basil Ranch Dip
Antipasti
Cured Meats, Assorted Cheeses, Roasted Peppers,
Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Mixed Olives,
Tomatoes and Anchovies, Grilled Asparagus,
Zucchini, Eggplant and Bread Sticks
Taste of Latin America
Chicken and Steak Fajitas
Sour Cream, Pico de Gallo, Guacamole, Flour tortillas
Chicken Cactus Enchiladas with Red Sauce
Shrimp and Green Sauce
Black Beans and Yellow Rice
Taste of Chinatown
Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs
Rice Noodle Salad
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Ginger Lobster Fried Rice
Hand Rolled Peking Duck,
Scallion Pancakes, and Hoisin Sauce
Grilled Cheese Station
(Pressed at Station)
Gruyère on Whole Wheat & Classic Cheddar on White Bread
Shaved Fennel & Persimmon Salad with Key-Lime Vinaigrette
Shots of Creamy Tomato Soup
Slider Station
(Finished at Station)
Braised Beef Brisket with Whole Grain Mustard
Pulled Duck with Savory Blueberry Compote & Dijon Mustard
Chef’s Own Southern Slaw
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
7. Gnocchi Station
(Cooked at Station)
Fresh Potato Dumplings
Toasted with Sun Dried Tomato Pesto or Black Olive Tapenade
with Crispy Capers
Mashed Martini Station
Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Pulled Pork, Shoe String Onions, Wild Mushrooms,
Sour Cream, Scallions, Aged Cheddar Cheese & Bacon Bits
CARVING STATION
Please Select One
Roast Turkey Breast with Turkey Gravy, Cranberry Sauce
Leg of Lamb with Mint Jelly, Balsamic Lamb Jus
Orange-Bourbon Glazed Ham with Dijon Mustard
Beef Tenderloin with steak Sauce, Horseradish Cream
Roast Pork Loin with Pineapple Glaze
PREMIUM STATIONS
Additional $25.00 per guest per station
RAW BAR
Littleneck Clams, Blue Point Oysters, Jumbo Shrimp
Maine Lobster Tails, King Crab Legs
Served with Cocktail Sauce, Old Bay Mayonnaise, Mignonette Sauce
SUSHI BAR
Authentic Sushi Bar Including Selection of Assorted Sushi, Sashimi, Soba Noodles,
Seaweed Salad and Specialty Rolls served with Wasabi, Pickled Ginger
CAVIAR AND FROZEN VODKA BAR
American Osetra Caviar served with House-made Bellini Pancakes
Served with Egg Whites & Yolks, Chopped Red Onions, Capers, Crème Fraîche
Iced Frozen Vodkas to Include Stolichnaya and Stolichnaya Citron
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
8. SIZZLING THAI STATION
(Prepared at Station)
Topped with Smoked Tofu, Scallions, Bean Sprouts Sesame Seeds & Peanuts
Rice Noodles, Plum Cane, Sauce
CEVICHE STATION
(Finished at Station)
Salmon, Hamachi, Scallop & Shrimp
Mango, Avocado, Watercress, Cilantro, Onion, Soy Sauce
BEVERAGE OPTIONS
WINE, BEER & SOFT DRINKS
Sommelier’s selection of White and Red Wines
Imported and Domestic Beers
Soft Drinks and Juices
PREMIUM OPEN BAR
Absolut Citron, Absolut, Ketel One, Russian Standard, Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Tanqueray
Beefeater, Cuervo Gold, Dewer’s, Johnny Walker Red, Jack Daniels
Sweet and Dry Vermouth, Seagram’s VO
Sommelier’s selection of White and Red Wines, Imported and Domestic Beers
Egg Nog & Mulled Wine
Soft Drinks and Juices
All Food & Beverage packages are subject to 22% Administrative Fee (Taxable) and
8.875% New York State Tax.
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
9. SEATING CAPACITY
Room Dimensions
length x
width
Sq Ft Floor Conference Seated Reception Theater Classroom
Hanover 29’.7” x 47’.7” 1416 1st 44 100 125 130 70
Presidents’ 47.7” x 20’7” 987 2nd 40 100 100 120 50
Garden View
Room
22’3” x 17’.7”
41’6” x 21’
1267 2nd 30 100 200 100 60
Batavia Room 27’10” x 21”6” 612 2nd 15 60 75 60 27
Jewel 17’10” x 15’ 256 3rd 13 13 20 20 n/a
Broad 17’3” x 14’4” 249 3rd 16 16 20 20 n/a
Pearl 26’5” x 19’11” 506 3rd 22 60 125* 40 33
China 27’10” x 22’ 596 3rd 22 60 *Included 30 42
Stone 22’ 7” x 39’9” 906 3rd 40 100 100 100 60
Marine 69’11” x 28’6” 1976 3rd 70 200 300 225 150
Entire Facility 8771
ROOM RENTAL
Room Room Rate
Jewel $250.00
Broad $250.00
Pearl $500.00
China Included with Pearl
Stone $750.00
Hanover $1,000.00
Presidents’ $750.00
Garden View Suite $1,000.00
Batavia Room Included in Garden View Suite
Marine $1,250.00
Entire Facility F&B Minimum or Rental Starting at $30,000.00
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
10. INDIA HOUSE
One Hanover Square * New York, NY * 10004
212-269-2323 * www.indiahouseclub.org
HOLIDAY RECEPTION MENUS 2013
