Review of Balade

I came here for a friend's birthday because she looked for a place that had gluten free options. These guys came up because of their OpenTable listing.They are the complete opposite of gluten free friendly. I explained celiac disease to the waitress, noted that fries cooked in the same fryer were not okay, and told her that I was happy to eat whatever they could serve me, I was happy to be flexible because I know that accommodating celiac disease can be a challenge. I was assured that my order would be fine after she checked with the kitchen staff.My first entree came out with vermicelli, a type of wheat pasta, in the rice. I asked what it was and was informed that it was vermicelli and, after checking, the waitress said that it was not actually gluten free. She was very apologetic and took a new order. The new order was a salad with fish and I poked around it a bit, not trusting the kitchen anymore, and didn't immediately see any cause for concern. About five minutes later, after I'd eaten some of the salad, I discovered a pita chip in the salad. The waitress was extremely apologetic. The kitchen staff was either incompetent or was deliberately messing with me because they think celiac is fake.While everyone I spoke to was apologetic (they did not charge me for the meal and they comped a bottle of wine to the table and sent out free desserts), I am now at home, sick, and my friend feels guilty for choosing the wrong restaurant on her birthday (even though this is in NO way her fault).I would NOT recommend that any celiac eat here. Your food is not only not safe, but the kitchen staff may think it's funny to put gluten on your food.

Celiac friendly?

No