Looking for a hip yet unpretentious lunch and dining experience? Sorriso's Italian Trattoria is the brainchild of celebrated restaurateur and chef, Ian Just. Sorriso Trattoria's décor, a deep walnut walkway coupled with weathered brick walls and chocolate-brown booths, showcases the Leather District's rustic ambiance. The South Street storefront building is a perfect fit for Sorriso's state-of-the-art brick oven enclosed by a four-person pizza bar for casual dining. For those looking for a private room, there's a charming wood-paneled private dining room complete with its own private bar. Sorriso Trattoria is a great spot for a business lunch boasting a spicy Rigatoni and Fennel Sausage smothered in pickled hot peppers ($13) and an amazing grilled salmon filet ($15).

Update: Restaurateur Frank De Pasquale is turning News, a seven-year-old after-work hangout located at 150 Kneeland St. in the Leather District, into an upscale, over-25 hangout called Splash. The revamped hot spot is scheduled to reopen in May. Slotted to serve gourmet bar food ranging from burgers, appetizers and tapas, Splash will rival nearby South Street Diner as a late-night destination. De Pasquale plans to serve food until 5 a.m on Friday, Saturdays and the Sundays before holidays. Here's the lowdown on the former News: Popular amongst late night revelers looking for some on-the-way-home sustenance, News is open until 4AM Tuesday - Saturday. Their eclectic menu seems designed towards the late night munchies set, featuring pizzas, deli sandwiches, breakfast, and a plethora of appetizers, generally of the fried cheese and buffalo wing ilk. The prices aren't exactly cheap for grub of this nature, but when you need to eat late, you take what you can get and happily pay for it. They've got booze, too, and offer $3 draft beers and $5 house mixed drinks. Valet parking is available.

_