Madonna and Sean Penn reunite for dinner in NYC

It's nice to think that Madonna and Sean Penn can be friends after all this time. They were, after all, once married to each other -- and now that both superstars are single, an intimate dinner takes on a whole new context.

That's exactly what happened on Thursday when Madge and Penn dined just-the-two-of-them in Manhattan.

HollywoodLife spotted the pair at Adour, a romantic joint inside the swanky St. Regis hotel, where they munched on butter-poached Maine lobster and talked for almost four hours.

The pair were married in August 1985 and officially divorced in January 1989. Now, if reconciliation is what they're after, the runway is clear for landing (although the singer has been cozy for some time with twentysomething model Jesus Luz).

Madonna divorced director Guy Ritchie in 2008, and Penn has been separated from wife Robin Wright since August 2009.

While that burning could be an eternal flame, Penn could simply be telling Madonna in person about his man-kissing.

Would you like the pair to reconcile, or were you glad when they ended it the first time around? Tell us in comments!

-- Matt Donnelly

Photos: Sean Penn at the Palm Springs International Film Festival on Jan. 5, 2010, and Madonna at the New York premiere of "Nine" on  Dec. 15, 2009. Credits: John Shearer / Getty Images, left; Peter Kramer / Associated Press, right.

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Comments

[Manuel]

Pointless story. This culture sucks.

[Nancy]

I think its great that they can be firends I always felt that these two had regret for the way things ended in their relationship. I have a feeling these two are flirtatious with each other but that doesn't mean that their getting back together I just think their good friends now which is nice too see.

[Anon]

Get a grip. The column is titled, "Ministry of Gossip," not the latest from the Middle East.

[david cooper]

There s more important things in life...celebrity cultures bubble will burst soon..has computers will replace stars of the screen..and even in the music world..I wonder when we will see the first computer generated popstar at number one.

[Cecelia Rios]

Maybe he could give her some acting lessons something she needs badly.

[Roberto]

Great!
THEY SHOULD BE TOGETHER - You CAN'T AVOID YOUR DESTINY = They are supposses to be together, that's the UNIVESE LAW! They were apart to learn, and NOW the Universe Gave them a Second Chance.

Best wishes to both of you! Sean & MAdonna

Roberto Rizzo
917.476-1910

[sara]

i think they are hot together! they're fire and passion is amazing...a couple i think should get back...madonna always loved him

[susan deravish]

i've been waiting since 1989 for them to get back together!!! LET'S DO THIS!!!!

[CDZ from the Ministry]

@david cooper -- Christie D'Zurilla here from the Ministry ... are you old enough to remember Max Headroom?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Headroom_%28character%29

//cdz

[Blair Zarubick]

Wait a minute, didn't their marriage end with him leaving her tied to a chair on Thanksgiving?

[rita]

Madonna and Jesus Luz look HOT together.

[Edward Ojok]

I have been your admirer from childhood. you are great.my regards

[Edward Ojok]

you are great.pen was yours all the time.best wishes.

[Chad Gilkison]

It's like mommy and daddy are getting back together again.

[daisy]

Yes if this were fairy tale land they should! But since this is reality where the albeit talented Sean, has been arrested for domestic battery more than a few time's and a couple of those were to Madonna. He is well know for being a control freak with an unmatchable arrogance . I don't know, but Robin must have been this passive thing being able to survive this violent self important ass all those years. The stories are endless of his nonsense of few my own relatives who work for a studio doing set work say he is obnoxious as hell. Do Madonnas small children need that guy in there life??? Sometimes you have to learn to walk away from heat and fire recognizing then end result ,,burn!