WHEN the old Ice House building in Swansea's posh SA1 docklands area was snapped up by new owners, it was given a facelift of Joan Rivers proportions.

By far the biggest part of it is dedicated to a slinky cafe bar which also houses an art gallery. But tucked just to one side, there is another little gem: the Thai Elephant.

Once an area that had become a haunt for nicotine-stained old men and gangs of teens, it is now a daytime hangout for yummy mummies and families, and a favourite with a young and lively crowd. By night, it moves up yet another gear, making it feel altogether much swankier than good old Swansea!

The once dank and unloved interior of this building has made way for gold-framed paintings, designer lighting and knick-knacks-a-plenty, and all with a nod to the Far East. On first impressions, it ticks a lot of boxes: not least the traditional bowed welcome you get from staff when you walk in. It isn't massive — just 44 covers — but feels just about big enough thanks to high ceilings and some great lighting.

An extensive menu takes in everything from starters such as Thai Dim Sum; chicken satay or fish cakes to soup which is what I went for: Tom Kha Gai to be precise; a hot and sour mixture made up of chicken in a coconut milk soup flavoured with galangal lime leaves, lemon juice and coriander. I could have feasted on this all night long, so good was the taste: fantastic.

But duty called and it was on to mains; mine of massamam curry (a typical dish from the south of the country comprising of chicken in a curry sauce cooked with potatoes, carrots, dry shallots and peanuts). It was good, if nothing exceptional.

But my partner's choice of a stirfry Pad Nam Man hoi made up of sizzling diced lamb, marinated in an oyster sauce with spring onions, mushrooms and bell peppers, was. It was served with a £2.45 portion of noodles with beansprouts, spring onions and Thai seasoning sauce: again, another big winner and one I would go for again.

Service was attentive despite some minor language hurdles to overcome with our waiter, and we weren't made to feel hurried or rushed at any time at all during our evening despite the fact there were people clamouring to get in through the door.

During the day, the Thai Elephant offers a take-away lunch box with a can of Coke for a fiver, as well as a sit down, one-course option for £6.50. I suspect, both are worth trying out. It's all a far cry from the days when the only decent food to be had in this area was a fish cooked straight from one of the trawlers that used to dump their loads in the market nearby.

It is a tradition sorely missed by many. But change can sometimes be a good thing for the survival of the area, as this place shows. The atmosphere is friendly, the food interesting and the views from the building itself are pretty good. If you can find it, tucked away as it is, the Thai Elephant is well worth a trip.

A two-course dinner for two with three glasses of 250ml wine, £45.