Prepare to be transported to France from the second you step foot in Cafe Rolle and are greeted with a friendly “Bonjour!” Checkered tablecloths, postcards of French hot spots scattered about and Parisian-esque posters on the wall make it easy to forget that you’re on H Street in Sacramento, even if it’s just for a couple of hours.

Opened in August 2002 by French Chef William Rolle, the cafe and delicatessen is like a mini-vacation for your taste buds. If you’re stopping in for lunch, the selection of cold and hot sandwiches outdoes the many sandwich spots in Sac.

Served on crusty baguettes or Focaccia bread, the sandwiches range from the simple Paris ham sandwich (ham, butter, cornichons and spring mix) to the piled-high marinated prawns sandwich (black tiger prawns marinated in olive oil, garlic and herbs with tomato and spring mix).

The chef mixes up the sandwich scene with rarities like oozing, melted, gruyere cheese, beef pte and to-die-for dill mayo as additives in the sandwiches. The warm ham couldn’t be more perfectly cooked and salted, and the salmon is poached to perfection. If you prefer something lighter, the cafe also offers the salad lover’s dream menu: Warm quiche salad, warm brie baguette salad and the poached salmon salad, to name a few.

It’s probably wise to make sure the cafe is actually open before you head over since the hours are a little odd. It’s closed Sundays and Mondays and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and then from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. for dinner. Also, if you’re planning on squeezing in a bite to eat on your lunch hour, it’s better to get there early because the nine-tabled cafe fills up quickly. Overflow diners can sit outside, but everyone still has to share one waiter. Can’t find a seat? The cafe offers carryout as well.

Despite the lack of help, the waiter will win you over with his charisma. Being called “Madame” or “Monsieur” and being told “Bon Appetit” from a charming and extremely polite Frenchman makes you forget that you have to wait a little bit for your check when you’re ready to leave. Plus, diners are welcome to listen to Rolle as he sings French songs, and watch while he does his magic in the kitchen. His passion for food is clear and it shows in the faces of happy patrons, who obviously enjoy the serenading.

In addition to the daily menu offerings, Rolle prepares daily specials and the quiche of the day, which is posted on the chalkboard out front.

When the cafe reopens for dinner in the evening, diners are invited to try more than just sandwiches. Treats such as chicken breast covered in cream tomato sauce or hot smoked salmon topped with tomato sauce and herbs are just a couple of the dinner offerings. To end your meal, Rolle creates homemade desserts like tarts and chocolate mousse.

Rolle hosts cooking classes for groups for parties of 10 to 18 people. For $50 a person, you can learn the art of French cuisine and wine and dine on your creations afterwards.

Since its opening, Sacramento has responded favorably to the charming cafe. The Sacramento Bee gave the restaurant four stars. With sandwiches ranging from $8 to $10 and the most expensive item on the menu at only $12, the cafe is right within most people’s tight budgets.

For French extravagance at a college-student price, Cafe Rolle says “Bienvenue!”

Casey Kirk can be reached at [email protected]