Taste-testing Albariño and Mencia in every vinoteca, bar, and furancho [1] in Vigo (AND Nigrán, AND Gondomar) is a hard job, but someone has to do it.
After a very positive experience at the A Gula located on Hispanidad, I assumed that the quality of service, ambiance, and food would be consistent at this A Gula location on Rúa Coruña.
Firstly, the ambiance. Perhaps this is a bit "purist" in mentality, but I did not expect to see flat screen televisions blaring game shows and sports in a vinoteca. The TV is fine at a cafeteria or a bar where I go with the intent of cheering on Real Madrid, but at a vinoteca? The space itself does not have much character or personality; it resembles an every day bar with a few extra bottles of wine in the window for show.
Secondly, the menu. Although this particular A Gula has a menu that is very similar to the menu of the vinoteca on Hispanidad, it leaned much more heavily in the "bar fare" direction, rather than seafood and simple Galician classics [2]. Also, many items on the menu were crossed out and prices were altered using a black Sharpie marker.
And onto the food and wine. I did enjoy my glass of Albariño, as well as the salchichon I was presented with before deciding that I should also order a slice of tortilla española. The tortilla had such great flavors, but it was a shame that it was not very fluffy (and therefore, a bit too flat). The bread to accompany my dinner was an extremely fresh slice of pan gallego (i.e., it was fluffier than the tortilla).
I would not have minded another glass of wine, but for the prices A Gula charges, I was not receiving a "vinoteca" experience. I'll take my beloved furancho in Gondomar any day. Back home we went...
[1] http://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Furancho
[2] This A Gula outpost also has pulpo on Friday evenings. read more