At this Stanmore corner store, creative plant-based bakes all lean Lebanese.

Pull up on a weekday for a coffee in the sun on a streetside stool. Wander through on the weekend for buns, cakes, tarts, cookies and more. They’re all recipes from Christiana Daaboul, who has amassed an online following for her baking that got so big she decided to open Ard and bring a sweet, romantic edge to Stanmore. 

One month you might find zingy lemon olive oil cakes peppered with poppy seeds, or choc-topped baklava with an exceptionally creamy pistachio kataifi filling. The next, perhaps shortbread sandwiched with a tart, sticky homemade apricot jam. Whatever Daaboul is feeling is what’s on offer.