a group of us are meeting up for 40th birthday dinner in manhattan on 28th April and we would really love a local 'authentic' italian restaurant with great food (not too expensive) and with a great lively atmosphere (and live music possibly?). Midtown or downtown would be preferred. Desperate for ideas please?

Osteria Lupa on Thompson Street, if you can get a reservation. It's not that cheap though

thanks I have read about this place - apart from the food is it a lively place? has it music?

Lupa doesn't have music and gets VERY crowded. You may want to check chowhound.com for good italian with music. There are many palced for good italian, but at the moment I can't think of any with music although I am sure they do exist.

The only Italian places with live music I know are Mangia e Bevi (singing waiters) in midtown and La Scatolina in the village (different live music every night with one night of open mike). The NY Times reported last year La Scat. had become a hangout for extras from the Sopranos

Tomasso in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn would fit the bill except for location.

Il Vagabondo is a funky place with a bocce court (but no live music) on east 62 st.

Da Nico in Little Italy fits the bill but no music.

Carmine's and Tony Di Napoli are the well known huge portions served family style places good for big crowds. No live music.

Ok... you want live music? I looked and made a few phone calls and the only Italian restaurant that we could come up with that has live music is Puglia in Little Italy. Food is ok and prices are fairly inexpensive. Address is: 189 Hester Street. Tel: (212) 966-6006. Best of luck and happy birthday.

Review from Citysearch:

Always fun!
Posted by nygirl73 on 03/16/2005
I've been to Puglia's several times and always have a great time! The food is decent, but the real draw is Jorge who sings Italian classics as well as fun party songs. He gets everyone dancing, especially to "the napkin song"! I always bring out of town guests to this charming, fun, Little Italy destination, and everytime those guests come back to New York, they want to see Jorge again!

Pros: Jorge!, Jorge!, Jorge!
Overall user rating: Highly Recommended

P.S. I'm sure you know this, but make a reservation.