Originally from Hong Kong, Angela Yue initially aimed to join the Air Force while her parents hoped she’d pursue medicine. However, while attending UCSD and working for the San Diego Padres in California, she discovered a cigar lounge in the Gaslamp District, sparking her passion for the cigar industry. Over the next 15 years, Yue gained extensive experience in premium cigars, including farming tobacco in the Bahamas and starting distribution companies. In 2021, she moved to Tampa and opened Grand Cathedral Cigars, where she found her true passion in retail and the cigar community.
ABOUT ME
A little over four years ago, I made the best decision of my life by moving to Tampa to build my “dream store,” Grand Cathedral Cigars. Moving to Tampa has been the greatest blessing, and I’m so fortunate to call this city home.
To me, Tampa represents the epitome of the “American Dream.” First and foremost are the people and the community! It’s rare to find a thriving city that still preserves its generational roots and heritage while having a community that is enthusiastically supportive of local brick-and-mortar establishments—that’s Tampa. Second, I love how accessible everything is. Whether you’re cruising up and down the Hillsborough River or attending a live concert at Amalie Arena, Tampa offers so much for its residents and visitors. Lastly, coming from California, Tampa feels like a breath of fresh air and a land of opportunities.
Tampa is the land of opportunity, and with the city growing at its current rate, anything is possible. I believe we are in the early stages of a Tampa Boom. The city is thriving and has the fundamentals needed for continued prosperity.
MY LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
After living in Tampa for four years and hosting hundreds of visitors from California, I’ve crafted what I proudly call my official “Tampa Tour.” It starts with a scenic drive down Bayshore Boulevard, offering breathtaking views of Tampa Bay and the iconic city skyline. For lunch, we head to Salt Shack on the Bay, a quintessential Florida beach vibes restaurant right on the water. Next, we embark on a boat ride up and down the Hillsborough River, exploring diverse neighborhoods like Davis Island and Harbour Island. As evening approaches, we drive across the bridge to St. Petersburg for dinner at Ceviche, a Spanish tapas restaurant on Beach Drive. We might catch some live music before heading to Cigar Paradise for a nightcap. For those who want to extend the night, we end at Ruby’s Elixir for live music, making for a memorable Tampa adventure.
On any given Sunday, you can find me enjoying the Tampa cigar scene at La Faraona, Sterling Cigar Lounge, or Cigars Paradise. La Faraona, owned by Cuban cigar maker Odelma Matos, is one of the few remaining U.S. cigar manufacturers. Odelma embodies the American Dream with her hard work and exceptional hospitality. Sterling Cigar Lounge, with its New York speakeasy vibe, is one of the newest cigar destinations in Tampa. For a change of scenery, head to Cigars Paradise in downtown St. Pete, where owners Marco and Yaite offer a first-class, elevated cigar experience.
Tampa Bay offers a fantastic array of outdoor activities, but one of my absolute favorites is exploring the Hillsborough River. There’s something magical about spending time on the water, especially when the weather is perfect. The river provides endless opportunities for adventure, whether it’s cruising through the Tampa Bay area, heading out to Apollo Beach for a lunch break, or stopping by Beer Can Island for a relaxing pause.
When the weather is nice, one of my favorite things to do on a day off is cruise up and down the Hillsborough River with a Pub Sub in one hand, an Arturo Fuente Casa Cuba cigar in the other and my three dogs in tow.
Exploring the Tampa food scene is always fun and exciting. With the growth of Tampa being so rapid, there are always new restaurants, bars and food concepts popping up throughout the Tampa Bay Area.
Choosing between Council Oak at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the iconic, internationally recognized, award-winning Bern’s Steak House is a tough call. Council Oak offers an elevated fine dining experience just 10 minutes from downtown Tampa. After an incredible dinner, we often end the evening at the Circle Bar, enjoying a post-dinner aperitif with a ‘Cigar & Cocktail.’ On the other hand, the award-winning Bern’s Steak House is a destination and experience unto itself.
One of the first locally owned eateries I experienced when I moved to Tampa was Old Heights Bistro, owned by longtime friends Phil and Shima in Seminole Heights. As a foodie, I consider this hidden gem perfect for any occasion, with its eclectic menu of delicious offerings. Located just a few minutes away is another fabulous Tampa eatery: Rene’s Mexican Kitchen. It reminds me of the traditional Mexican food commonly found in Southern California and Baja Mexico.
For a top-notch breakfast or brunch in Tampa, Flan Factory is a must-visit. This locally-owned gem, nestled in Ybor City on 7th Avenue, offers an exceptional Cuban dining experience with a homemade flair. Their standout feature is an impressive selection of freshly made flans, available in dozens of flavors daily. I particularly enjoy their creamy avocado toast paired with savory beef empanadas.
I’m a big fan of coffee and tea, and I love exploring local cafes. One of my favorite spots is Spaddy’s Coffee in the Tampa Heights / Seminole Heights neighborhood. Owned by “Heights” local Gregory Spadaccini (“Spaddy”), this café stands out not just for its diverse selection of coffee and tea drinks, but also for its welcoming atmosphere and community spirit.
Originally from Hong Kong, I have a deep love for dim sum! Although Tampa is not known for a traditional Chinatown, Grand Fortune on Fowler Avenue is a close contender that satisfies this craving and brings me back to my childhood days.
When my business partner, Carlito Fuente Jr., is in town, you’re guaranteed to find us at the historic Columbia Bar. You can catch me at the bar enjoying a 1905 Martini (Ketel, stirred, dry, up, with extra Spanish cheese-stuffed olives), a 1905 Salad topped with grilled shrimp, a cup of traditional Black Bean Soup (hold the rice, extra diced white onion), and a piece of Cuban bread (extra crispy with lots of butter!). If I’m feeling a little adventurous, I’ll end with a cafecito paired with their crisp tower of churros and all the accoutrements.
One of the reasons Tampa is so amazing is its easy accessibility to arts and culture.
Ybor City is a historic neighborhood known for its vibrant cultural heritage and artistic vibe. It features an array of galleries, boutique shops, and performance spaces. The area’s rich history, particularly its Cuban influence, is celebrated through festivals, murals, and cultural events.
Another great spot to explore art and culture is the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. This renowned venue hosts a wide range of performances, including Broadway shows, concerts, ballet, opera, and more.
As a pianist myself, I’m constantly looking for live music venues and local concerts. At Grand Cathedral Cigars, we feature live music four nights a week. Outside of Grand Cathedral, I love visiting Miss Kitty at Donatello’s Piano Bar and Ricky at Eddie V’s Piano Bar!
We are fortunate that Tampa attracts a variety of musicians and artists who perform at venues such as Amalie Arena, Raymond James Stadium, Ruth Eckerd Hall, and MidFlorida Amphitheatre, to name a few. Within the last month, I was fortunate enough to see Carlos Santana, Ice Cube, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Hauser perform all within the Tampa Bay area.
Two events I look forward to every year in Tampa are the Gasparilla Music Festival and the Gasparilla Art Festival. As a pianist and lover of all types of music, GMF is a great representation of diverse musical styles. The Gasparilla Art Festival stands out for its vibrant fusion of artistic expression and community. From painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media to a lively festival atmosphere with live music, culinary works and interactive art experiences, the Gasparilla Art Festival attracts hundreds of international artists each year.
About an hour and fifteen minutes north of Tampa Bay is the picturesque ‘Old Florida’ fishing village of Cedar Key. Over the four years I’ve lived in Tampa, I’ve stayed in Cedar Key over a dozen times. This charming town remains beautifully untouched and has preserved the simplicity of ‘Old Florida.’ For seafood lovers like myself, the Cedar Key food scene offers some of the freshest seafood you’ll find, with most items sourced locally and coming straight from dock to table.
I have so many hobbies outside of working! Since moving to Tampa, I’ve become an indoor plant and saltwater reef tank enthusiast! You can often find me at home working on my indoor plants, which I pick up from the locally owned Fancy Free Nursery in Tampa Heights, gardening in the yard or visiting local fish suppliers throughout Tampa, such as Mr. Dave at Corals and Fins! I’ve grown passionate about these hobbies, building our indoor plant collection to over 125 varieties and maintaining 4 saltwater tanks at home. These interests truly help me decompress and forget about my busy schedule.
If I have extended time off, other interests include traveling and exploring different food cultures! Often, when I find an open window of time, I love to embark on Last-minute trips to keep my travel experiences fresh and exciting. Some of my frequent spots to visit for a quick getaway are Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Colombia.
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