Barbara Walters: Please Give Me Casey Anthony, But Don't Hug Me, Jose!

Casey Anthony's attorney, Jose Baez, had dinner with Barbara Walters Sunday night. She was clearly trying to butter him up for an interview with his infamous client ... but when Jose went in for the hug, Barbara blanched.

Baez, his wife, Walters and Frank Langella (they had just gone to see his play) all dined at Orso in Manhattan for Jose's birthday. Our photog tried getting details about a possible asking price for the interview -- but no one was talking.

According to our sources, Casey isn't ready to tell her tale just yet. Clearly BW wants dibs.

When everyone says their goodbyes, and Jose goes to hug Barbara ... she shoos him away, saying, "No, no, no. Don't do it."