SWORDFISH in Halesowen? I've heard about carp in Leasowes pool but never seen hide nor hair of a swordfish in the town.

So as soon as I saw it on the menu of Spice Fusion I knew that would be my main course.

After all I've eaten cod, roe, plaice, haddock even seabass in Halesowen but never swordfish, it seemed an offer too good to refuse.

The carpeted walled curry house is a thing of the past now, even a balti seems pass as Bangladeshi chefs are now "fusing spices" instead of throwing them in a pot.

And the Long Lane restaurant has won more culinary gongs and medals than Usain Bolt has won Olympic medals.

It's walls are adorned with certificates, newspaper articles and various other culinary industry accolades Executive chef Kayum Ali is feted across the industry, and has the awards to show it, but he was on holiday on Saturday so I was worried we would not be getting the gold standard.

However, his brother was in charge so everything ran like clockwork.

The menu was incredibly varied including baltis, jaipuris, jalalis, tikka masalas, rezellas and even "exotika" dishes.

As I knew I was having the swordfish £10.95 for my main I went for a classic starter, the sheek kebab (£2.85).

The damsel was in a chicken mood, she ordered chicken tikka starter (£2.95) and then female favourite chicken jalfrezi (£5.25). She did not cluck at the end of the night but did coo about how great it all tasted.

Both our starters were impeccably cooked and were bigger than the average Indian restaurant starter which spelled trouble for our main courses.

When my pan fried swordfish steak seasoned with herbs, spices and garlic sauce arrived with a chef's choice of vegetables I knew my appetite was writing a cheque my belly could not cash.

I ensured I finished all of the swordfish steak, the fused spices complimented the fish perfectly and instantly making it one of my favourite dishes in any Black Country restaurant.

The vegetables were like a main course by themselves and sadly I could not attempt to finish them.

However, it gives me the perfect excuse to return to see if I can finish the whole meal, because it was not for want of trying.