Could you keep pace around the dinner table with the world’s fastest man?
Diners were left speechless in a swanky restaurant near Wigan after finding themselves lined up alongside none other than Usain Bolt.
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist, 38, wolfed down a £35 fish dinner at La Casa Restaurant & Bar in Astley to celebrate the birthday of a Premier League cult hero.
La Casa has welcomed sporting names such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Tommy Fury and it would appear this is Bolt’s third time back at the eatery this year.
Bolt started off with a £11.55 dish of deep-fried Calamari before getting his chops round a £23.50 sea bass served with clams in a white wine sauce.
Usain Bolt stunned diners and staff as he arrived at La Casa near Wigan for a fish dinner
The eight-time Olympic gold medallist was there celebrating the 46th birthday of Bolton Wanderers legend Ricardo Gardner
Bolt had a £11.55 Calamari dish and a £23.50 sea bass served with clams in a white wine sauce
With around 12 others, Bolt was there to celebrate the 46th birthday of his fellow Jamaican Ricardo Gardner.
The restaraunt stayed open two hours longer than usual for stunned fans.
Gardner made 251 Premier League appearances for Bolton Wanderers, serving the club between 1998 and 2012. In total he made 397 outings for them over 14 years.
He was the second-longest-serving foreign player in Premier League history at the time, beaten only by goalkeeper and team-mate Jussi Jaaskelainen. Gardner also played for Harbour View back in Jamaica as well as Preston North End.
Despite it being his big day, Bolt was the centre of attention and was pictured smiling alongside staff in front of a floral, neon-lit wall display.
‘It’s mad, he’s a really “big” guy,’ said the restaurant’s manager Gianluca.
One of the other managers, Pietro Garrafa, told the Manchester Evening News: ‘I just started a week ago but I know that quite a few celebrities come to us because our food is very authentic.
‘I didn’t take the reservation but I was shocked to see him when he came in. Everyone was asking for pictures and he (Bolt) and Ricardo were lovely, there was a family of fans who were dining there too and Ricardo took a picture and spoke to them.
La Casa has been known to host sporting names such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Tommy Fury
Bolt still holds the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m records that he set in an unmatched career
Gardner played 397 times for Bolton over a 14-year stint, most of those in the Premier League
‘Bolt was very kind and we kept the restaurant open until midnight (instead of 10pm) for them, we loved it.’
The restaurant also posted: ‘We’re thrilled to welcome back the legendary Usain Bolt to La Casa!
‘Always a pleasure serving the fastest man on earth – where great food meets great company.’