Mariah Carey & Courtney Love -- Crazy Dinner Duo ... with a Side of Brett Ratner (PHOTO)

And the award for Most Unexpected Dinner Table goes to -- Mariah Carey and Courtney Love ... in a Brett Ratner production.

The director broke bread with Mariah and Courtney last night at Craig's in West Hollywood ... and we can only imagine the stories Brett walked away with after sitting between those two.

Perhaps they chatted about Courtney's "Empire" appearance -- after all, she said she was channeling her inner Mariah ... plus Mariah is one of many people rumored to guest star next season.

As for Ratner ... he's pals with both women, but this is the first time we've seen them all out together. Considering the massive bank accounts at the table -- we gotta ask ...