Jazzman’s Cafe & Bakery

It had been a while since I last visited Capital Health’s-Fuld campus on Brunswick Avenue in Trenton. Back in the day, it was simply called, Helene Fuld Hospital. Aside, from the new signs out front and the attempt at landscaping, it is the same urban medical center it has been for the past 40 years. Truth be told, I wasn’t that happy to be going back inside to visit a new client.
Yet, I had to wait for my friend to help with the interpreting from Cantonese to English, and I saw this Jazzman’s Café & Bakery sitting in the corner of the lobby.
There was something new under the sun, and I immediately walked in to check it out. Had to be an improvement over sitting on those crusty chairs in the lobby. And, it was. The woman working there was busy with her accounts when I entered. She was friendly and easily answered my questions about the place. I poured my own java and sat on a stool at a high top waiting for my accomplice. Turns out, this is a franchise operation that does hospitals and other institutions. Great idea, especially where you can’t get Starbucks to pay attention due to the small market for custom coffee in such neighborhoods.
The coffee was fine, in fact better than the standard competition from the Mermaid. The shop also served bakery products. They looked ok, but this late in the day I was not interested, besides, I had thoughts of walking across the street to Phở Tan after this interview for some good phở.
Thanks to whoever cared enough about the folks in this hospital to put in Jazzman. It is a big plus, and a much better experience that hanging out in the cafeteria.