Usain Bolt amazed locals at a neighbourhood Italian restaurant this week, pitching up for dinner and drinks with friends on Tuesday night. Bolt was snapped with staff and customers at popular spot La Casa in Astley yesterday.
The now-retired Olympic sprinter and eight-time gold medalist, who has friends in the city, ate pasta and was more than happy to pose for pictures with staff and customers.
General manager Franco Tanda told the Manchester Evening News: “It was obviously a big surprise. He is one of - if not the biggest - name in the world of athletics. I think he’s been around this area before, and has friends here, and wanted to try some good Italian food.”
Bolt arrived in a group of five, and started dinner with oysters and some light salads. For his main course, he had a dish of pasta with sea bass, while his friends ate ‘surf and turf’ - a 9oz piece of beef fillet with a half lobster.
“He is a beautiful person, and very down to earth. They sat out on our terrace and they took their time, so that they could relax, this is a nice, relaxing restaurant, and we like to keep the service relaxed,” Mr Tanda went on, adding that people recognised him, but kept their distance at first.
“When he arrived, he was sat a little while in our reception, so people were coming through the door and looking at him, but they didn’t want to interrupt him, so no one actually approached.”
However, soon people began asking staff at the restaurant if he would mind taking pictures, which he was happy to oblige.
“We had some people asking for pictures, and he was very nice about it,” Mr Tanda added. “He didn’t mind at all, absolutely not. Everyone who asked him, he was very happy to have his picture taken. He enjoyed his time with us, and we asked him if he’d come again. He said ‘yes, by all means’.”
As for tipping well, Mr Tanda wouldn’t divulge the figure, but said that ‘he was very good with the staff, let’s put it like that’.
Bolt is famously a huge United supporter, and has spent a lot of time in Manchester over the years. As well as Le Casa, among his favourite places to eat is veteran Caribbean takeaway Kool Runnings in Old Trafford.
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