The CNN Grill is once again the go-to place at the political conventions, but the setting here at the Republican National Convention is a bit different than what we saw four years ago at the RNC in St. Paul and the DNC in Denver.
This time around, there was no existing restaurant close enough to the Tampa Bay Times Forum for CNN to convert into its popular Grill format. So, the network took over a large storage area in the lower level of a parking garage next to the arena and turned it into a studio/restaurant.
Guests of the CNN Grill this week have included the five Romney sons, Newt Gingrich and former New York City Mayor Rudy Guilani. There have even been some people you wouldn't expect to see at the RNC, including U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic Party, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, chairman of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte next week.
Speaking of Charlotte, the Vida Mexican Kitchen y Cantina will be home to the CNN Grill during the DNC.
Karin Mallett joined WFMZ-TV in 2003. She anchors the Sunday evening editions of 69 News and features area destinations as part of her popular "One Tank Trip" series. In 2008, Karin traveled a much greater distance to report from the Democratic and Republican national conventions in Denver and St. Paul, respectively. 
Matt Roth has covered every presidential election for 69 News since 1996, the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia in 2000 and the Democratic and Republican national conventions in Denver and St. Paul, respectively, in 2008. Matt has also attended the first inauguration of each of the last four presidents.
Chad Blimline has teamed up with reporters to cover hundreds of local, state and national political stories since joining 69 News as a photographer in 1999. His assignments have taken him both to Harrisburg and Washington to interview government leaders and key figures in politics.
The Giants have struggled the last two games against Bronson Arroyo and Homer Bailey
Posted by: Hermes Bags | 11/06/2012 at 08:14 PM