Spice 65, Blackheath

Sometimes it's difficult to keep everyone happy when you go out for a meal.However that is rarely going to be an issue when you eat somewhere which prides itself on always having more than 65 food items on offer at any one time.

And that's exactly what customers at Spice 65 in High Street Blackheath will find on every visit.

Set in the heart of the Black Country town, the Asian buffet restaurant proudly boasts mouth-watering aromas and exquisite tastes.

Owner and chef Burhan Uddin has been in the restaurant business for nearly 20 years and said he opened Spice 65 after realising people always wanted something different where going out for a meal.

"People come and they always like to try different things so that's when I realised a top quality buffet-style restaurant would appeal to a wide audience."

A quick glance around the restaurant suggests many of the locals agree. Myself and a small group of friends arrived at the restaurant and found it bustling despite it being relatively early on a weekday evening.

The restaurant had a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere and after placing our drink orders, we were invited to take a walk up to the buffet and get stuck in.

Between us we sampled the different poppadums and breads on offer. Of course you can't have poppadums without pickle of which there was no shortage.

Spice 65 offers a whopping 20 different types of pickle including a delicious spicy fish variety that got the thumbs up.

There is a wide variety of starters and between us we tried the excellent onion bargies, tandoori chicken and chicken tikka meat, all of which went down well and left everyone ready for their main courses.

The usual popular dishes were well received including the creamy chicken tikka masala and chicken korma.

Specialist dishes are available each day and we were treated to a delicious duck curry. Other specialities are made using mussels, prawn and even venison on Sundays.

The main courses came with a selection of several naan breads and a salad bar.

A problem with all you can eat is that you often do just that, leaving no room for dessert. But at Spice 65 that would be a mistake.

Those with a sweet tooth will not be disappointed.

Bowls of sweets, ice cream, popcorn, cake and fruit were all available and leave you with the urge to try them all.

Mr Uddin added he would also prepare dishes specially requested by customers.

"We have a wide selection of dishes but if people want something we don't have, then they can talk to us and we will try to help.

"We also have a selection of English dishes as we really want to keep everyone happy and know we get people with all sorts of tastes through the door."

The great thing about Spice 65 is the opportunity to try something new. All to often you can go out for a meal, order your dish and wish you had tried something else. Customers at this restaurant will never have that problem. And the cost of the buffet? Pretty reasonable at £7.95 for adults between Sunday and Thursday (£4.95 for children under 8) while on Friday and Saturday it costs £8.50.

A special Sunday lunch time buffet is available for £4.95 for adults (£2.95 for children under 8).

It all represents great value for money.

Richard Wyatt

High Street

Blackheath

(0121) 561 4640