Le Timbre

I ate with three others at Le Timbre last Friday night. The food was presented beautifully, and I would highly recommend both the calamari starter and the magret de canard. The service was impeccable and the chef produced excellent food in what can only be described as a tiny kitchen, open to the dining room. Definitely not the place for a big group, but we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and found the food (and wine selection) delicious.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 20, 2010

13 November - We went to Le Timbre last night.

Shortly after our arrival, a couple at the next table made a mildly noisy departure in the middle of their entree course. They complained about the inadequacy of their dishes (no pheasant -- only lardons -- in a dish with pheasant, and a micro parmentier of something else). We had never seen this sort of thing in Paris before...

Anyway, they were on the right side of the Angels. The food was skimpy and mediocre -- the worst meal we've had in reserved place in a Parisian restaurant in over 20 years.

DEFINITELY A PLACE TO BE AVOIDED!
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Friday, November 13, 2009

One chef, one waitress, one menu. An absolute must while in Paris! Although the setting is a bit "intimate," my friend and I never felt cramp. The wine is amazing, and the food, stellar. The chef makes his menu that day, so it really depends. We had a very traditional French dishes: escargots, foie gras, duck confit. Service was great. No complains. One of my favorite Parisian restaurants.
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Brian
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Sunday, April 05, 2009

One of the best little gems in Paris. For 32 euros, three courses: a cassoulet of escargots, rognon de veau (the best-prepared I remember eating) and a wonderful aged cheddar for dessert. With 3 glasses of wine and a porto = 57 euros. Yes, you are immediately adjacent to the next table in two rows (room for 24 altogether), but I certainly didn't feel crowded. The chef works alone in a tiny, visible kitchen and he and the waiter take turns running the dishwasher along with providing a memorable dinner.
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Jim Haber
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Good value set menu, but the setting is cramped, cramped, cramped, even by Paris standards!!

I understand the economics behind it but this is just ridiculous.

Halfway through our meal my partner and I started feeling clostrophobic and couldn't wait to leave... .
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john holmes
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Sunday, December 07, 2008

If you have a problem with small restaurants (a total of 12 tables and 24 tightly packed seats), where one is forced by proximity to engage your accidental dining partners, don't go to this restaurant. The fixed price menu is very limited with only 2 or 3 choices of every course. If that bothers you, don't go to this restaurant. If you expect a large, gleaming kitchen, where teams of chefs prepare your food, you will be disappointed with this restaurant. If however, those things don't disturb you, then go to Le Timbre. The chef serves only what he can freshly obtain and make that day and the result is exquisite. I have the sense that the chef is in reality an artist rather than a restaurateur. His medium is food, and the passion is in the execution of the creation, rather than in providing a satisfactory dining experience. I have the sense that he would do this whether or not he had any customers at all. But, that is probably too pretenious a reading. We spent 10 days in Paris and Le Timbre was the only restaurant at which we dined twice. Comprenez?
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J.B. Ballard
Friday, April 11, 2008

My favourite place to eat in Paris. Food is excellent - there were snails, tete de veau and boudin noir on the menu so I'm not sure why the reviewer below thinks there's no french food on offer! Service is discreet and friendly - they're very helpful with the wines and they don't rush you at all. There is also a lovely relaxed atmosphere, it's cosy, intimate and well worth a visit
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MC
Monday, March 31, 2008

I don't think there's much the Chef can do about not being French. We had a great meal there. My girlfriend said the scallops were the best she'd had (& that includes Le Manoir!) My duck was beautifully cooked. The local Parisians seem to have taken it to their hearts, which creates a nice "local" buzz about the place. Not ultra cheap but great value nonetheless. PS It was a bitterly cold night and the little heater struggled, so sit away from the door or wrap up!
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R S
Sunday, December 30, 2007

Not so friendly. Tourists, don't be fooled. If you're looking for a typical French restaurant, please note the Chef is acutally English and doesn't serve typical French food. I went there with my wife and we were very disapointed: very small, and not much choice. There was only one set menu!!!
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Peter Wrist
Wednesday, December 12, 2007

Incredible food, service, and ambiance. A small, low key restaurant with amazing flavor. They served me the most amazing lentils I've ever tasted in my entire life.

This was the first meal for my fiancee and I upon arriving in France and it alone made the trip worth it. The server was very American friendly which we've quickly learned is in short supply here in Paris.
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Dan - View all reviews by this user
Friday, November 02, 2007