Tierra del Fuego

Tierra del Fuego is just a private events space now… And I never got to try to food! Still looks like a cool spot for an event, but I am sadly not planning any.

After reading the July 11^th Austin Chronicle review of this place, I decided to have my birthday celebration here because it seemed like a cool place where you could meet with friends and have a conversation without shouting.
Much to my dismay, we show up on August 15^th and find that this place is now only open for private bookings and is no longer open to the general public. I generally don’t call ahead to see if a place is still open 1 month after a good review is posted, but I guess I need to start doing that. They don’t even have a web site up that I could have checked.
So be warned before venturing out in an attempt to try this place.

About a month ago I called to book a party at Tierra del Fuego. While working out arrangements with Magna, the manager, she offered to waive the room fee so that our party could enjoy the space and learn more about the establishment. I was elated! We spoke several times throughout the month about questions I had or to clarify details. Each time I mentioned the date and time of my party. 30 guest RSVP-​ed for the event. My party is scheduled for this Saturday (July 26). Today, I called to close out some last minute details and in the middle of our conversation (three days before the party) she told me that she had another larger party with catering and a DJ booked at the same time and that our plan would not work.
If I had not called her to ask this question, I would not have known about the double booking. All she could say was that she was sorry and that I could pick a different date (after 30 guests RSVP-​ed for that date). I was very disappointed by the way she handled this situation and offered no viable solutions. Now I’m scrambling to find a new location three days before for my party occurs.
Go there if you wish, but don’t book an event there (or at least get it in writing… learn from my mistake). You’re likely to not have a place to have your event.

Stopped in on a Thursday night and had an enjoyable time sampling one of Tierra del Fuego’s numerous wine flights. I ordered the «Juicy Red» and found it to be quite good. My wife’s flight was equally delicious. Although we only stayed for one round, we’ll definitely be coming back. Great wine menu, great tapas menu, and a great space all equal a place I’d want to be my time (and money) drinking wine. The back «lounge» area seems like it would be great place for a group.

researching this place, i found out it used to be a dance club of sorts, but you wouldn’t know it from its current vibe. instead of djs, we found comfortable sofas, romantic lighting, and great dancehall/​dub music playing. very inviting.
now, it’s a wine/​tapas bar and is a refreshing twist on the local tapas scene. instead of overcooked tapas and snooty service, the owners were on hand and sweet as could be. also very helpful and patient. we did go on a thursday and it seems no one is hip to this place yet. maybe the weekends are different? honestly, take a trip before the rest of austin does.
as a rule, we (my husband and i) used to try wine flights as often as possible, but recently we stopped that tradition after too many disappointments.
at tierra del fuego we tried the «juicy fruit» flight and it was fantastic! i thought i was over merlots and malbecs, but they served one of each within the «juicy fruit» flight and i was delighted by both. so good, i wrote them both down.
the tapas are yummy. i tried two different plates and they were both delicious. i wish they had more for the fish eater in me (since i don’t eat other meats), but they have lots of yummy veggie stuff (with dairy), and if you like olives, you will be in heaven. my husband was wishing i loved olives, but sadly, i despise them. i really want to like them and i try them whenever someone is making orgasmic noises after eating them, but still, i gag.
we had the stuffed tomatos. i only ate a couple of bites since i am very allergic to dairy. my tummy hurts now, but it’s my own fault. the stuffed tomatos were so good, i was willing to feel icky later. they were a bit spicy and totally creamy with goat cheese and a dash of parmesan. yum. i might make a full-​on goat cheese version if i can figure out the spice.
anyway, PLEASE support this place — we were the only guests there for quite a while. they are open until midnight! (and that’s on a thursday. they might be open later on fri/​sat!)
i am always up late or out late. i love a place that serves food after 10pm! especially upscale food with educational wine flights!
tierra del fuego (formerly «fuego») offers great ambiance. it’s a great date place with comfortable sitting areas. we also thought about trying to get a small group of friends together there. it’s perfect with semi-​circle sofas facing each other and adorable round modern chairs.
also a great place to try new wines and take note. this is one of the very few places in town that has turned me on to a new wine.
if your pals are not into wine, they offer great cocktails for $ 9.

I’m head over heels happy about the new trend of wine bars opening in Austin. This is my kind of ‘bottle service’. Tierra del Fuego is the newest one on the scene. It used to be a regular bar/​club thing, that really didn’t interest me. Then a couple of weeks ago, I was walking by and saw all the wine racks they added to the walls and was immediately intrigued.
Tierra del Fuego does the wine bar a little bit Spanish-​style. Warm colors, cozy space and with lots of couches. The staff is so friendly. They made some really great suggestions, without any of the snotty ‘wine bar’ attitude.
This could be one of my new staples. I need to go back and check out the food menu. Go there now, while its not too crowded. It won’t be long before others make the discovery.

I’ve said it before and it’s worth re-​mentioning: there’s something to be said about knowing exactly who you are, or who you are meant to be. Nowhere is this sort of clarity more apparent than in the bar business. This place opened a while back as Fuego, and it was fine… but floundering. Opened by the Sampaio’s folks, this place is going to be a spot to watch, as word is that this end of 2^nd street is expanding (literally, they’re widening parts of it), and they’re talking about incorporating a patio presence. perhaps some sort of sidewalk café.
As it is now, Tierra del Fuego is a genuinely interesting slice of semi-​upscale nirvana: a healthy wine selection, festive cadre of cocktail selections (I tried some sort of mojito-​martini mashup, and it was terrific), and the place is bathed in soft amber and orange tones. I’ll definitely be back when I have more time to relax, unwind and let my mind wander while I sample.

Tierra del Fuego is the newly re-​vamped Fuego bar in the quickly growing ‘foodie’ area of the eastern 2^nd Street District. Fuego has been transformed into a wine and tapas bar that is exceptional. Though they haven’t had their «Grand Opening» yet, the selection of wines is impressive for such a small place, and their tapas are flavorful and pleasingly ethnic.
A few of us ate and drank and had a great time there last night. The staff was knowledgable and friendly — muito simpaticos. We were lucky enough to have the owner, Magna Sampaio, there giving us the grand tour of the renovated space.
The back area that was once a DJ booth, stage and dance floor has been transformed into a very cozy loungy area where one can sip wine and feed their partner, or themselves tasty tapas. Very intimate, very sensual, very chic.
The ambiance is a turn on as well. Cool music turned to a listenable level where conversations can be soft and casual.
Overall we had a great experience and will go back again and again. The only reason a 5-​star rating wasn’t given here this time is because there are still changes in the works that remain to be experienced — but for a pre-​grand opening visit it was exceptional.