Le Timbre

Roh mais comment se fait-​il que je né connaissais pas cette adresse?!
Le Timbre nous accueille dans une toute petite salle décorée avec soin, à noter l’étagère boisée en forme de branche. Ce restaurant français offre une cuisine contemporaine déclinée en menu unique. Le midi, la formule E+P+D à 26 € vaut carrément le coup. Le soir, l’E+P+D grimpe à 36 €; ou également disponible pour les plus gourmands: l’entrée+poisson+plat+dessert à 43 € ou la dégustation 5 services à 49 €.
La serveuse est incollable sur la carte, et même sur l’origine des produits. La présence des jus et nectars haut de gamme de la Maison Alain Milliat donnent un indice sur l’exigence de qualité et la démarche gastronomique du restaurant. Rapidité et efficacité définissent le service.
Le chef, dans sa cuisine ouverte aux clients, s’adonne à une réflexion sur le goût. Contraste des textures, justesse des cuissons, précision dans les assaisonnements, il démontre sa technicité en proposant des plats subtilement équilibrés. Lors de ma venue pour le lunch, j’ai eu la joie de découvrir en entrée un poisson marin nommé maigre, divinement mariné et accompagné de shizo vert et d’une sauce un peu trop salée mais avec du caractère. En plat, j’ai été servie d’une cuisse de canette confite et endives pleine terre, qui m’a moins transcendée du fait de mes goûts. Le dessert à l’assiette composé d’une mousse de mandarine, compotée de marron, meringue et coriandre m’a émoustillée par sa fraîcheur et son originalité.
Mon coup de coeur: Le maigre mariné. Et le choix de la vaisselle.
Mon astuce: Minuscule salle, alors réserve au préalable.

Le Timbre is a restaurant where you feel the chef is cooking only for you. You can’t make a mistake with the menu or wine because your needs have been anticipated. The few choices are just enough. Each presentation is lovely. The diners are focused, relaxed, and appreciative. The hostess is a charming guide. Le Timbre is on our list of favorite Paris restaurants.

This place is marvelous! I had read all about it before our trip to Europe and made reservations which are definitely needed. We went with the 5 course fixed menu and a fabulous bottle of red wine LHermas Terrasses du Larzac 2011. We had pork belly, white fish over white beans, cauliflower and smoked eel, filet mignon with potatoes, and a dessert that I can’t quite remember. The service was amazing and very personable and all the food was cooked perfectly. I really appreciated how rare the steak was too. It was a very romantic setting with soft lights and the smell of amazing food in the air. If you are in Paris this is a must.

Went for lunch on a weekday, got in without reservation.
Set menu for 26 euros included a vege appetizer, lamb shoulder and figs/​ice cream as dessert. All was delicious and well put together. Really small but cozy. Chef was practically 10 feet away.
Wish we could go for dinner to try a more expansive menu but would definitely recommend this place!

After reading an article in NYT lauding praises on Le Timbre’s service and value, had to give it a try. Thinking it was a must-​try on a short two day stint in Paris we emailed the restaurant a few weeks in advance for a lunch reservation. This hole in the wall gem did not disappoint. Lunch was
three courses and prix fix but from first bite of the maigre (white fish) gazpacho with cold cream to the last morsel of the tart topped with strawberry-​mint sorbet, it was a fantastic experience. The menu was thoughtful and the perfect accompaniment to Paris’ long hot summer days. The city offers a wealth of delight for the palette but there are just as many hits as misses. If you are spending more than a week in Paris you can afford to be laissez faire with your stomach. If you are spending only a few days do your research and be more discriminating to maximize the experience. Either way you need to go here.

So I received a Facebook message today from a friend who asked me the key to picking a French restaurant. My first rule: ask your French neighbor. The second is to look for a small establishment that is run by a local French couple. Let’s face it — if they can’t cook good food they won’t stay in business long in Paris. Le Timbre fits that description for both. Only 24 seats, one waitress, and a simple prix fixe menu — one chef who prepares dishes in front of you — and only what he wants to prepare from the ingredients he finds that day: that is Le Timbre. I asked what the name of the restaurant means in French and I was told «postage stamp» which describes the intimate seating where literally someone has to move to allow a diner to visit the restroom. I wanted to introduce Cat to nouvelle cuisine and this hit the mark — from gazpacho sorbet all the way to Guinea hen (two ways: sous vide and confit) followed by a cheese course and strawberry sorbet with basil. I new I had scored when she said this is the «best thing I have ever eaten» — and it was the sweetbreads. I love my daughter!

Superb. Make a reservation and don’t miss this.
Small restaurant with only about 24 seats total. Great prix fixe and an incredible value for the quality. 49 € gets you five courses of amazing. This two-​person operation (chef and hostess) cranks out better food and service than their more plentifully staffed competitors. Great timing on dishes, lovely wine, and a knowledgeable hostess. Most surprisingly: at the onset you will be asked if you have any allergies or dislikes so that the chef can adjust.
We started with grilled octopus. The second dish was a fall apart in your mouth fish floating in a savory broth. Course three was a teriyaki/​soy pork belly that I will dream about for years. Next came a pheasant/​poultry dish with a delectable little shepherd’s pie type side. The finale was a chocolate mousse that presented like a scoop of gelato. Homemade citrus-​infused meringue was an incredible touch.
I can’t say enough wonderful things. We were honestly sad to have to leave after our meal.

My wife and I had an evening meal here in mid-​May 2015. Three fixed menus offered (3, 4 or 5 courses) with optional cheese plate. Wine menu basically shows only by the bottle, but blackboard shows wines available by the glass. We both had the 4-​course, plus cheese; and several glasses of wine. Food & wine were excellent, and the service (by only one server) was impeccable.
As the name (postage stamp) suggests, the place is tiny, and diners are packed close together. So it’s inevitable that your conversation will be heard by your immediate neighbors. But does it have to be heard by the entire room? We are US citizens, and I’d estimate that at least 75% of the diners also were American. I just wish some of our fellow countrymen (and women) didn’t feel the need to speak in very loud voices, swear, and say things such as «like, you made me feel like a total dick».

So, this is one you don’t want to miss. Very small but filled to the brim with deliciousness.
They only do set menus 3 – 5 courses with an optional cheese plate. Had the five course menu which consisted of White asparagus (excellent), Bonito (very good), Duck confit with foie gras (excellent), Lamb (superb) followed by a small cheese plate with two goat cheeses (the thyme one made by monks was fantastic) and a cow cheese. For dessert a nice strawberry, avocado and ice cream dish.
Drank a nice 2014 La Piffauderie Sauvignon with the asparagus and a velvety smooth 2011 Guilbert Les Baux de Provence with the rest.
Coffee and a 1989 Petite Champagne Cognac was the perfect ending to our meal.
Book in advance and enjoy!

I booked a multi-​course lunch for 12 guests and it was spectacular. The restaurant is lovely and the kitchen is open, so you can see the chef working throughout. Food was delicious, beautifully-​presented and in the perfect proportions.
The staff was extremely polite and friendly, even offering to substitute the dessert for a guest with allergies.
I travel to Paris every year — this will be a regular stop moving forward!

One of the very best meals we’ve had! Ever! I had the 4 courses starting with marinated mackerel, a delicate whitefish which was amazing, duck breast with white asparagus and fennel and finally, for dessert, grilled pineapple with basil infused ice cream! The chef prepares and presents absolute masterpieces from his kitchen. Our hostess was charming and handled the whole dining room with expert efficiency. Wish we were here longer. We would definitely go back again! Thank you for a memorable evening!

Excellente qualité, mais déception cette dernière fois. Un samedi midi, on est arrivés à 6 dont enfants pour découvrir un menu unique poisson à 26 euros, ce n’était indiqué ni sur le site ni à la réservation au téléphone. Très sympas, ils se sont adapté et nous ont proposé de la pintade pour les enfants. Le menu était excellent, mais j’aurais apprécié avoir au moins un ou deux alternatives, car j’aurais pris autre chose si j’avais pu. Moi qui y revenais surtout pour retrouver le super confit de canard de la fois précédente… Même si tout est très bien maîtrisé, l’étroitesse du lieu (on est vraiment collé au voisin), et le manqué de choix font que je n’y retournerai plus pour un «événement spécial». Le vin est toujours trop cher, la bouteille la moins chère autour de 30 euros. Au moins cette fois ils avaient des options sans alcool autre que le robinet. Mais selon moi pas adapté aux enfants.

Nouveau chef depuis peu. Maitrise parfaite des cuissons (basse température). 22 couverts uniquement.
1 menu fixe qui se décline en 3 options selon le nombre d’entrées (1 ou 2 ou 3) et la gourmandise.
1ère entrée: artichaut et yaourt
2ème entrée: barbue (cuisson idéale)
3ème entrée: foie gras
Agneau en 2 façons (dont épaule fondate à 60°)
Bananes flambées et glacé vanille
Belle carte des vins de propriétaires servie par une passionnée.

So glad we chose this small boutique restaurant. The preset multiverse meal was one of the best meals we’ve eaten. Owner/​operators were friendly and helpful. Wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this restaurant to anyone.

Spectacular food and service. Although the concept of blood sausage is repellant to me, I thought, «Hey… I’m in Paris. I’ll live on the edge.» Needless to say, as long as you don’t think about its name, blood sausage at Le Timbre is fantastic!!! I’m so glad I tried it. We loved this meal and would recommend the restaurant to anyone and everyone. In fact, I’ve already recommended it to someone who will be visiting Paris in 2 months. Eat here!
The only thing I would say is you should not show up early. We showed up about 15 minutes early and thought this would be a good thing, as we did not realize that we were there for a mass seating and not an individual reservation. The staff was very confused and we were made to feel somewhat embarrassed. It was a weird experience. So just don’t do that and everything will be wonderful.

This place is ridiculous. Such a tiny gem of a restaurant. Everything I sampled was amazing, and I could’ve gone for pretty much anything they offered on their oversized menu. I only found out the chef was British when I had to walk through his tiny kitchen to get to the bathroom… it’s really great that this little Parisian gem I was recommended, is actually ran by a fellow Brit!
If you’re happy in a tiny tiny restaurant with some daring menu options, get yourself to Le Timbre, you will not be disappointed.

This was the best meal we had in Paris! We were lucky enough to get reservations the day of our last night in Paris. The place is quaint and small, seats about 20. The menu is written on a chalk board that the server brings to the table. Everything is written in French but the servers can speak English. The food was amazing and everything was freshly prepared! From the dining area, you can watch the chef hard at work and you can tell he takes pride in his restaurant. We ordered just about everything on the menu! For entrees we had the sauteed mushrooms — lots of flavor and delicious, escargot with lentils — loved this dish! but I’m also a sucker for escargot, foie gras, and mushroom soup. For Plats we had the fillet of cod with mashed potatoes, duck confit with sauteed fennel, and duck breast — all was very tasty and cooked just right! All of this was paired with a perfect red wine. For desserts we had the cheese plate, tuile, dates sauteed in Bordeaux dessert wine, and mille feuille. Everything was delicious and I hope to one day visit Paris for another amazing meal here!

Loved this place ! We were lucky to have friends in Paris, there is so much to see/​do and so many places look quaint and elegant — that its hard to weed out the great from the not so great.
When you think of Paris, you envision a place like Le Timbre. The food is divine, the atmosphere warm and welcoming. Maybe it’s killer ambiance is due to the humble size — the staff accommodating. I had something with Lamb in it — WOW. It was so flavorful, robust & soft. Lamb is difficult to cook, and most of the time it comes out kind of chewy. This place is a must must. !!!

Reservations are a must as the restaurant only does 2 seatings at 730 and 930 and only holds about 20 people. The chef and his staff were some of the friendliest we encountered and truly cared about the quality of the food and the guests experience. Everything tasted amazing and when a chef cooks, greets guests, and cleans tables you know he truly is pouring his heart and soul into it all.

In Paris ist es relativ einfach ein Restaurant zu finden, aber es ist mit Sicherheit nicht einfach in ein Gutes zu landen.
Le Timbre ist klein und eng. Genauso wie die Karte, die auf einer schwarzen Tafel angeschrieben ist. Der sympathisch, ruhige Chefkoch arbeitet gleich nebenan, in einer kleinen Küche und präpariert delikat die Gerichte vor. Ich habe selten so gutes Essen in Frankreich zu mir genommen. Das Essen ist wirklich sehr wohlschmeckend und wie gutes Essen sein sollte. Wir konnten eine Vorspeise, Hauptspeise und Dessert auswählen, alles zu einem vernünftigen Preis. Das Hühnchen schmeckte mir besonders gut.
Ich fand allesamt sehr heimelig und doch nobel — vielleicht noch etwas rustikal.
Für alle Feinschmecker, bitte unbedingt hier hin gehen. Am besten MIT Reservation (wenn Abends) oder mittags spontan.
Bön App!

Sorry to ramble, but indulge me for a little bit. I live in San Francisco, and Saison, a 2 Michelin-​starred restaurant renown for using fresh and exotic ingredients, just moved across the street from me. The chef proudly delivers a tasting menu ($ 300 per person), has the kitchen openly available to all to see, and is unapologetic for the price, limited seating, or anything else about his baby.
Le Timbre is a 20– something person max restaurant. Run by an English chef, the kitchen is also adjacent to the dining area. The food is French, but the staff happily serves in both English and French, something that’s helpful if you don’t read or speak the native language. The food is done exquisitely well and reasonably priced, with an entrée, course and dessert coming out to be 22 euros, and then a few more for some glasses of wine. I ate veal, beef, lamb, and pork, and nothing indicated that the kitchen’s mastery in any meat was deficient. The desserts, also whipped up by the same people who put the warm plates in front of you, were sweet without being overly decadent.
The best meal I ate in Paris? For the price, absolutely. If I lived in the city, I would dine here regularly. Hell, if Le Timbre wanted to move to SF, I would be the first one signing the petition to have them moving next door to Saison. Who needs Michelin stars when you have clean, simple excellence?

Absolutely the best dining experience in Paris.
Plan ahead and call for a reservation. The place has twelve tables, so it can only hold twenty-​four people at a time. They have a lunch seating and two dinner seatings. We ate at 9:30PM on a Friday and were lucky enough to get a reservation that morning.
The whole experience is sublime. Food is cooked with finesse and care and is soooooo good and surprisingly reasonably priced. The space is super cosy. My wife and I couldn’t help but watch the chef working his magic in his tiny kitchen, which is completely open to the dining area.
He took us at the door as the hostess was busy with another table and made us feel so welcome. The hostess was wonderful. She made every effort to help us understand the menu and helped me with wine pairings. Her and the chef working together made the whole experience seem effortless.
The chef/​owner in from Manchester, England so English is no problem and based upon all of our other dining experiences in Paris, I’d definitely say that the French may want to take notes from this Brit.
I love this spot.
Check the restaurant out on google maps. Somehow the inside of the restaurant got imaged, so you can see a sample menu which isn’t on their website. Just remember that it changes with what’s in season.

After hearing that this place was tiny but delicious, my husband and I made a dinner reservation during our honeymoon. This was our favorite meal that week for many reasons. The staff was excellent– By staff I mean one or two servers, the cook, and the dishwasher. This place is tiny! But don’t let that deter you. We were seated immediately and the server thoroughly explained the menu to us in English, since we had no idea what most of it meant. The couple seated next to us was from England and we had great conversation with them. The food was excellent and the wine too. It’s almost as if you are in someones home sitting in their living room watching them cook in their kitchen. I loved being able to look up and watch the chef, who is English, passionately make each dish.
There is a bathroom, but it’s outside and around the corner. My husband used it and as I was waiting the chef looked up at me standing by the kitchen and wished us a wonderful honeymoon. I guess he could hear us speaking about it– That’s how intimate this place is.
Le Timbre is a must visit while in Paris.

This was the food highlight of our trip to France. The restaurant is incredibly small — probably only 20 people max and you’re all squeezed in right next to each other. There is one chef and one server and the food is AMAZING. The chef is originally from England so he can answer questions in English and the server had no problems at all translating the menu for us. They also were exceptional at accommodating my wife’s gluten allergy so celiacs take note!
We tried things we’ve never had before and ended up having some great conversation with the people sitting next to us. Add in a delicious bottle of wine and this was just the perfect way to have a great dinner on a vacation in Paris.

Bön mais quantité ridicule !
Je né suis pourtant pas une grande mangeuse mais j’ai trouvé leur plat «épaule d’agneau pimientos farcis» très très léger: 2 pimientos farcis à la purée de pomme de terre (!) + une mini timballe de morceaux d’épaule… j’avais encore faim même en prenant un dessert (millefeuille). D’autant plus que l’épaule d’agneau avait un supplément de 3 euros) plat à 20 € ! Au final une note à 60 € pour 2 (avec 2 verres de vin). La table d’à côté ont même pris 2 desserts afin de caler leur faim. Qualité Ok. Quantité quasi-​nulle. Service assez expéditif. Je né recommande pas ce restaurant.

une promiscuité exagérée, une pression permanente de finir le plat pour passer la table aux clients suivants, un service maladroit et pataud, un cuisinier de Manchester qui confirme tous les préjugés sur la cuisine anglaise: le boudin noir en tranche dur comme du vieux pain noir sec; le magret de canard qui saignait (à raison pour etre si maltraité) et dégoulinait de graisse, du vin rouge (cher) qui né valait pas un clou. Bref, une trappe pour touristes; un vrai guet-​apens. A eviter en tous cas !

Délicieux !
Une toute petite salle qui a beaucoup de charme, une cuisine irréprochable, une formule dont le rapport qualité prix défie toute concurrence, un patron hyper sympa et un service efficace et professionnel: que demander de plus?

Excellente adresse de poche !
J’ai été épaté par cette adresse: il y a peu de places dans ce petit bistrot. La patron est seul aux fourneaux et la serveuse très sympathique. Dans l’assiette les saveurs sont au rendez-​vous ! Le croustillant de joues de boeuf était un délice. Un rapport qualité/​prix incomparable…

A quelques pas du Parc du Luxembourg, Le Timbre fait de la cuisine traditionnelle sa religion. Dans ce restaurant petit comme un timbre poste, le chef anglais Chris Wright officie quotidiennement avec pour principales armes ses produits du marché et ses bonnes idées.
Le parmentier de civet de lièvre au céleri-​rave se révèle parfait sous la dent. Avec un verre de sa prolifique cave de vins, Le Timbre prouve qu’un chef qui vient de l’autre coté de la Manche peut parfaitement maîtriser la gastronomie française.

An englishman in Paris
Un micro-​resto qui offre le luxe de voir le chef oeuvrer sous vos yeux. La carte-​ardoise augure de la fraîcheur des plats. La commande passée et hop ! le chef s’active. Des plats parfois un peu surprenants mais plutôt fins et bien travaillés, une addition pas trop violente… A tester !

Petit petit, mais grand dans l’assiette
Oh oui, il porte bien son nom, ici la place est comptée mais l’ambiance est feutrée et on voit le chef faire à manger, servir, encaisser, bref tout faire, et il s’en sort bien. On a goûté à sa fameuse soupe de potimarron et on a aimé le saumon aux lentilles. En dessert, la crème au chocolat est irrésistible. Une adresse à visiter, elle vaut le détour.

Ce restaurant doit son nom à sa petitesse, aussi grande qu’un timbre poste! La cuisine, en bout de restaurant, est ouverte ce qui permet à tous les convives de suivre assidûment la préparation et la cuisson des plats… comme ça on sait ce qu’on mance !;-)
Soupe froide de poissons, hure de cochon aux câpres, filet de daurade aux fèves, canard croisé et sa cuisse confite, ris de veau et concombres… Cuisson parfaite, grande finesse comme la pointe de gingembre sur les cocombre ou bien le filet de vinaigre sur la hure chaude… mmmhh !en plue le service est sympathique, et la nourriture bonne et copieuse… foncez !

Un sans faute total pour trois plats et 35 euros sans vin
Excellentissime. Cela change tout le temps. Ce soir là: Soupe froide de poissons, hure de cochon aux câpres, filet de daurade aux fèves, canard croisé et sa cuisse confite, ris de veau et concombres… Cuisson parfaite, grande finesse comme la pointe de gingembre sur les cocombre ou bien le filet de vinaigre sur la hure chaude. Le boss est anglais, alors on a même essayé le fromage grand breton. Un pic saint loup: «Mas Foulaquier», un peu frais mais bien rond et avec une bonne complexité en bouche. (30 euros) Un plaisir total. On reviendra.

Très sympa et bon
Je me suis fait inviter dans ce petit restaurant. C’est un endroit très convivial. La carte est restreinte mais de très bonne qualité. Voir le patron cuisiner est original. Lors de ma visite nous étions les seuls Français parmi les Anglais et l’ambiance était très bonne.

La prochaine fois je goute le fromage
Le patron a une bonne tête, le service est très bien et les plats sont délicieux. Bön rapport qualité-​prix, l’endroit est chaleureux, il faut réserver car c’est petit. La prochaine fois je goute le fromage, cette fois j’ai pris le mille-​feuille qui valait à lui seul le détour. Vraiment une très bonne adresse !

Les anglais savent eux aussi cuisiner !
Le patron est un anglais qui, n’en déplaise aux préjugés sur les talents culinaires de nos cousins grands bretons, propose une cuisine française subtile et inventive. L’agneau est fondant et relevé juste ce qu’il faut en ail, quant à la crème brûlée, elle est tout simplement divine ! Le resto est tout petit (résa quasi obligatoire), donc soyez préparés à faire un minimum de conversation avec vos voisins, en toute convivialité.

Du vrai manger avec un vrai cuisinier dedans
Comme quoi on en fait des choses, dans un timbre-​poste. Le timbre, c’est juste pour la taille du restaurant, le reste est loin d’être chiche… Ah si: l’addition aussi est petite. On peut encore vraiment manger dans Paris pour moins de 30 €… Une excellente adresse avec des produits très bien travaillés (tous les classiques méridionaux revisités), le plus drôle est que le chef est anglais: God save the cook !

Très bon souvenir !
Accueil sympathique, nourriture excellente, on voit le chef préparer les plats du fond du restaurant. De plus les vins sont à des prix très sympas, même si le choix n’est pas grand. En bref, la petitesse du lieu n’est pas gênante du tout, le cuistot anglais prépare une bonne cuisine typiquement française (seuls les fromages sont anglais), avec le sourire. On y retournera !

Une bonne surprise
Service sympathique, nourriture bonne et copieuse. On peut voir le chef travailler et le voir faire ses millefeuilles… met l’eau à la bouche. Lieu un peu exigu mais sympathique. Carte des vins un peu petite mais bonne sélection.