Mariah Carey: Soakin' Up the Spotlight

Mariah Carey is a breath of fresh air ... finally a celeb who goes to an L.A. restaurant known as a paparazzi hangout, and then doesn't pretend she's shocked or put out.

Mariah owned the moment as she dined with fiance James Packer and her manager Stella in WeHo at Craig's.

It's fun watching her ... she doesn't give a crap Lee Daniels scoffed at her reality show, and she's more than happy to show her boo affection in front of the cameras.