On Friday afternoon, black smoke billowed over Baldwin Street as a fire engulfed a well-known restaurant. The five alarm blaze brought more than 25 fire trucks to scene.

According to CP24, the fire at 33 Baldwin St., which houses Ryus Noodle Bar, was under control by about 4 p.m., however, it left approximatey $2 million worth of damage.

Over the weekend, blue fencing went up around Ryus, as well as its neighbours Kon-nichi-wa, Platito and the relatively new Charidise. Diners and staff must have evacuated quickly because there were plates of food on Kon-nichi-wa's patio until today.

Kon-nichi-wa's website reveals the Japanese restaurant's closed until further notice.

Due to the fire that occurred nearby, with a heavy heart, we are sad to announce that we will be closed for an indefinite time. We will update you all as soon as we find out more information. We would like to thank all the brave women and men from the Toronto Emergency crews who took part of battling the 5-alarm blaze and assisted in controlling what seemed to be a nightmare for family and business owners. The most important thing is we are all safe and that Baldwin Village will recover and become stronger. - Team Platito (📸: Amanda Ferguson, CityNews)

A post shared by Platito Filipino Soul Food (@platitotoronto) on Jun 10, 2017 at 10:51am PDT

Platito, the popular Filipino spot, is also out of commission for the time being. "Due to the fire that occurred nearby, with a heavy heart, we are sad to announce that we will be closed for an indefinite time," reads a post on Platito's Instagram account.

A sign posted on Charise's door said the restaurant would be closed over the weekend, but would re-open later this week.

Must-see shows at NXNE this year range from up-and-comers to big names on the showcase stage at the Port Lands. Toronto will be bursting with music during this city-wide festival, and if you're feeling overwhelmed, these are the concerts you shouldn't miss.

Relax and try something new today in Toronto at a night market, learn how to throw knives while watching a burlesque show or take an indoor sky diving lesson. There are also a couple of great storytelling events if you'd like to take it easy and unwind.

The Toronto real estate market has been taking everyone for a ride with prices, especially for detached houses, soaring higher and higher.

However, the number of sales in the city - and across the GTA - seem to be nosediving.

As the Toronto Star reports today, according to real estate site Realosophy, sales across the GTA were down 44 percent last week compared to the week prior. Since the market's so topsy-turvy, Realosophy has been tracking sales data on a weekly basis.

House sales in the GTA fell 44% last week - the 8th straight week of falling sales with York Region leading the decline. pic.twitter.com/NJlLDEWEhm

— John Pasalis (@JohnPasalis) June 12, 2017

Apparently sales have been down over the past eight weeks, likely because there's been an influx of properties hitting the market.

Last week, the Toronto Real Estate Board released its monthly stats, which showed that home sales in the GTA were down 26 percent since May 2016.

The popular Toronto spa Body Blitz came under fire this weekend after tweets and Facebook posts emerged that said trans women were excluded from using the space.

Body Blitz, which opened in 2005 and has two locations in the city, is a high-end facility for women known for its water treatments.

As CTV News reports, social media posts claimed trans women were told not to visit because the spa doesn't allow "male genitalia."

tried to book an appointment for my wife @bodyblitzspa womens only spa was told theyre trans inclusion policy wont allow "male genitalia"

— Vi King (@gracietornado) June 9, 2017

The spa posted a statement to its Facebook page on Sunday morning, writing, "Thank you for your concerns about our policy. Because we are a bathing suit optional environment, our current policy is to ensure all clients, are comfortable in an environment with nudity, including minors."

"We acknowledge, respect, and admire all the myriad ways that women's bodies and gender are expressed. The owners have advised management that they will be working with a civil rights professional over the summer, to help us with a clear and fair policy. Please appreciate that policies take time and we are working diligently on this matter," it continued.

Body Blitz's Facebook page has since been flooded with various reviews (both positive and negative) based on this issue and many others decided to share their opinions on Twitter.

The best patios in Toronto embody what John Keats said when he mused, “Give me books, fruit, French wine and fine weather and a little music out of doors, played by someone I do not know.”

Ok, not all of them hit some of the finer points, but they all combine booze with sun and a friendly atmosphere, allowing us Torontonians to enjoy the few months of the year when it’s not freezing to the fullest.

Here are the best patios in Toronto.

The Addisons Residence

Designed to feel like a rich kid’s house when their parents are away, this bar has one of the most epic backyard patios in town. Fireplaces, cabanas, and of course, a bar all complete the picture in this Wellington Street hotspot.

Make your way to Amsterdam Brewhouse for a patio with a waterfront view. Photo by blogTO.

Amsterdam Brewhouse

Queen’s Quay has its beer and patio combo covered with this 300-seater patio. Relaxing Muskoka chairs face the water, there are plenty of food options, and they’re open long hours.

3 Speed’s backyard patio is brimming with charm. Photo by Jesse Milns.

3 Speed

This humble gem remains one of the most fiercely fought over scraps of pavement in Bloordale. It’s a constant stream of U-turns as hopeful and thirsty patrons rush to the back area lush with greenery and complete with an old fireplace, then just as quickly head for the door when they see it’s packed.

Picnic tables, hanging lights and trees fill Bandit's patio. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Bandit Brewery

A beautiful brewery near Dundas West and Roncesvalles, this place has a large bumping patio out front with benches and strings of cute lights. Nosh on snacks like deep fried cheese curds as you enjoy their craft brews.

Cherry Street Bar-B-Que has a massive patio and even better eats. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Cherry St. Bar-B-Que

This is the spot to go in the Port Lands, perhaps before a show at nearby megavenue Rebel or just to get a view of the water. Umbrellas, a ton of seating and of course, some delicious BBQ make this the outdoor place to be near the waterfront.

Drake Sky Yard is one of Toronto's favourite rooftop patios. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Drake Sky Yard

This popular rooftop patio at the Drake Hotel on West Queen West is renowned for their food and cocktails, and funky art and seating make the place inviting.

El Catrin's patio is first come first serve so be prepared to wait for a spot. Photo by Jesse Milns.

El Catrin

This sprawling patio in the Distillery District has room for a ton of patrons and still gets regular lineups. Distinctive lighting, fire pits and brightly coloured furniture on the patio set this Mexican restaurant apart.

Gusto 101 has two patios to grab a seat on. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Gusto 101

It’s insanely hard to get a spot on one of the two patios at this King and Portland spot, one on the roof and one out front. Italian is the order of the day here, washed down with glasses of chilled wine on humid days.

Harvest Kitchen has one of the prettiest rooftop patios in town. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Harvest Kitchen

A little patio out front signals what this cute Harbord Village restaurant may have to offer by way of outdoor seating, but it’s nothing compared to the sprawling rooftop patio with friendly tree branches leaning in and a cute mural.

Whether it's summer or winter you can always grab a spot on the patio at Hemingway's. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Hemingway’s

The multiple patios surrounding this old school pub are some of Yorkville’s least pretentious, and are open year-round. Drink classic cocktails like beachcombers and mojitos as you share nachos under the bar’s built-in cooling mister.

Patios in Toronto don't get much swankier than Lavelle's. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Lavelle

Some of the best views in the city can be found perched in this King West club, which has a stunning menu of brunch, lunch and dinner options along with powerhouse cocktails and bikini-clad servers.

Make your way to the third floor of Mascot to discover their rooftop beer garden. Photo by Jesse Milns.

Mascot Brewery

This hip and colourful spot on Mercer St. makes it feel like you found a secret loft party in the middle of town. Serving their own beer as well as pub fare like sandwiches, chill all afternoon in this fun spot.

Free outdoor live music in Toronto this summer will fill your ears, soul, and dancing feet with all kinds of sounds. From classical music in gardens to hip hop and house in parking lots, you can find music all over the city. 

One year after the devastating Pulse Nightclub attack, hundreds gathered in Barbara Hall Park beside the 519 Community Centre to remember the 49 people who lost their lives in Orlando.

The group congregated for a candlelight vigil, which included music and poetry.

A post shared by ✨Mike Bickerton✨ (@bickerton) on Jun 12, 2017 at 8:40pm PDT

The 519 displayed large wooden panels by Toronto-based artist janet romero-leiva, which paid tribute to the Pulse Nightclub victims, many of whom were part of the Latinx community.

A post shared by Jaden Curtis (@jadenlavigne) on Jun 12, 2017 at 9:04pm PDT

Presenters also read out the names and ages of the victims who died while out partying at an LGBTQ space.

A post shared by Matt (@matty_lars) on Jun 12, 2017 at 7:45pm PDT

It's been a while since we've featured a house in Little Italy, which brings us to the recently listed 285 Grace St., which is nice example of a modern home mixed in with the turn of the century houses that predominantly line the block.

This is a solid house that does a lot with the available space, thanks in no small part to the overhaul of the basement earlier this year. Grace can be a tricky street when it comes to livable basement space thanks to the proximity of the buried Garrison Creek, but this one looks inviting.

The basement is the most recent of the renos undertaken here, but really, the entire home looks nearly new with welcome finishes like a high-end kitchen (all Miele appliances) and a lovely walkout deck from the front-facing bedroom. 

While the backyard is on the smaller side, it too features contemporary design principles, eschewing a lawn in favour of eating and lounging space that'll suit most people better than a patch of grass. The garage is also a boon for all the handy people out there looking for a workshop. 

Specs

• Address: 285 Grace St.
• Price: $1,598,000
• Lot Size: 17.66 x 114 feet
• Bedrooms: 3 + 1
• Bathrooms: 4
• Parking: 2
• Walk Score: 72
• Transit Score: 96
• Listing agent: Karen Millar
• Listing ID: C3831596

Good For

The area is a big draw here, not just because of the retail and restaurant offerings on College, but because of the numerous nearby parks nearby. This one will suit a family who's willing to give up a little space to live close to downtown in modern space.

Move On If

If you absolutely need a grassy backyard, this property will have a major deficiency, but otherwise there aren't any obvious deal breakers here. 

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our house of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.

Toronto's real estate market might be slowing down, but it'll still cost you a pretty penny to purchase property in the city.

However, as real estate site The Red Pin shows in its new series of maps, it all depends on where you look. Obviously, many of us expect houses and condos located right on the subway line to be expensive, but of course, prices vary across our transit system.

A rep from The Red Pin says their team, "used exact GPS coordinates for each subway station and pulled prices from the Multiple Listings Service (MLS) for one-bedroom condos, townhomes and, collectively, all home types that sit within a 2 km radius of each station." All data is from May 2017.

When looking at all housing types (detached, semi-detached and condos), the area around Lawrence Station is the most expensive with the average price soaring above $2.7 million. 

In terms of condos, the area around Bathurst Station is the priciest at $618,492.

For townhouses, Dupont Station is the most expensive. A townhome here costs, on average, more than $1.7 million. Yikes.

Torontonians were big fans of the city's first wintertime light festival, and once again got excited with the announcement of a mysterious Lights Fest this fall.

Many were cautious about the announcement as there was no venue and tickets weren't available, but that's changed now.

The Lights Fest Toronto is set to go ahead on September 30, a couple of hours outside of the city in Ohsweken, which is a village on the SixNationsoftheGrandRiverFirstNations reserve near Brantford.

Tickets range from $25 to $55 USD, and are now on sale. The event will include music, food trucks, games and thousands of sky lanterns being released into the sky somewhere between 4 to 8 p.m at the Ohsweken Speedway.

A post shared by The Lights Fest (@thelightsfest) on Jan 13, 2017 at 12:20pm PST

Similar festivals in Toronto, like the cancelled Lantern Festival never took place because of fire hazards. Other such events have happened in cities like Houston, Phoenix, Dallas, Austin and San Antonio, but this will be the Lights Fest's first Canadian stop, assuming it happens.

If there was an award for quirkiest Toronto neighbourhood, the Republic of Rathnelly would probably take first prize.

Officially founded in 1967, the area tucked between Poplar Plains and Avenue Road, just north of Dupont declared itself an independent republic on the occasion of Canada's centennial celebration.

More than just a lighthearted ploy for attention, residents took the seemingly bizarre measure of secession as a way to protest the planned Spadina Expressway that would have cut right through the neighbourhood.

To think that this little clay path almost became a super highway. My thanks to the Republic of Rathnelly. pic.twitter.com/Kw0wz31Sld

— Anthony Westenberg (@EcoBrix) March 26, 2017

That was almost 50 years ago. While the character of the neighbourhood has changed as property values have skyrocketed, the Republic of Rathnelly still takes pride in its rebellious history with annual celebrations and a longstanding track record of civic engagement. 

The Republic of Rathnelly has a history of rebellion. Today, we're naming lanes to celebrate its people & story. https://t.co/IY0wiFzh3Q

— Josh Matlow (@JoshMatlow) April 4, 2017

To mark its semicentennial, the Republic is hosting a street party on Saturday, June 17 at which a series of new laneway names will be revealed.

In honour of the neighbourhood's history and independent spirit, they'll feature quirky monikers like "Rebellion Lane" and "Stop Spadina Lane" in addition to paying tribute to longtime residents like artist Michael Snow and Rathnelly Area Residents Association co-founder Robin Fraser. 

There will be lots of food, drink and general merriment to mark the important anniversary of this unique Toronto neighbourhood. 

We might not be able to eat chocolate feasts in Toronto quite yet, but the chef behind the dessert-focused Max Brenner restaurant is bringing a cafe in Yorkville.

The Alternative Cafe, which already has a location at Richmond and Spadina, will debut its second Toronto outpost at Yorkville Village, or the mall formerly known as Hazelton Lanes.

The shopping centre has undergone an extreme makeover, and as Retail Insider reports, it'll soon be home to more luxury retailers (such as Belstaff, Eleventy and Jean-Paul Fortin) to match the Yorkville vibe, of course.

A post shared by Yorkville Village (@yorkvillevillage) on Apr 30, 2017 at 11:06am PDT

On the wellness side of things, the mall's currently home to Equinox and Whole Foods, but it'll also see the city's second SoulCycle move in later this year.

As for food, Retail Insider says the Chase Hospitality Group will open a new restaurant called Palm Lane on site. Mi’Hito, which has a location at College and Spadina, will also start serving sushi burritos and poke in Yorkville too.

The Alterative Cafe, chef Oded Brenner's newish concept cafe will dole out hot and cold beverages, nutella rugelach and other coffee house staples.

Oded's more famous Max Brenner restaurant chain has 50 locations around the world, including in Israel (where it started), the United States and Australia. 

Food events near Toronto let you explore with your taste buds, which is one of the best ways to experience a new place. Get out of the city and eat your way through Ontario and beyond.

Here are my picks for the top food events near Toronto this summer.

OK Fridays (Oro-Medonte, all summer)

Every Friday, the barn at the Burl's Creek Event Ground plays host to food producers and vendors, so stop by to grab something delicious on your way up north. Best of all, it's always free and it features live music.

Flavours of Muskoka Chautauqua (Lake Rosseau, July 6)

As a fundraiser for the Muskoka Chautauqua arts organization, tickets to this are a little pricey, but they give you access to this event known as the amazing graze.

Taste of Buffalo (July 8-9)

Shuffle off to Buffalo for one of the biggest two-day food events in the United States. It feature 55 restaurants, six wineries, a beer tent and lots of live music. 

Vaughan Pizzafest (Woodbridge, July 14-16)

Fill up on pizza and craft beer as you listen to music in the city above Toronto. This festival will be super cheesy, in the best way possible.

Butter Tart Festival (Innisfil, July 27)

Take a quick drive out of the city on this Thursday afternoon to visit Innisfil's outdoor farmers' market and mini butter tart festival. 

Session Muskoka (Bracebridge, Aug. 5)

Celebrate the August long weekend in Muskoka by sampling craft beer from 30 different Ontario breweries. Cheers!

The Big Feastival (Oro-Medonte, Aug. 18-20)

Jamie Oliver started this event in the U.K. and it's hopping across the pond for the first time ever. Find lots of food and drink from local vendors and celebrity chefs as well as musical performances from big names, such as Weezer.

Burlington Ribfest (Sept. 1-4)

This meaty affair bills itself as the biggest ribfest in Canada. That's a bold statement, so you'll have to go to the gargantuan grilling extravaganza to see it for yourself.

Moonlight Market (Collingwood, Sept. 2)

If you're in Collingwood over the Labour Day long weekend, don't miss this night market with lanterns and lots and lots of food.

Heirloom Hurrah (PEC, Sept. 2-3)

A trip to Prince Edward County always bodes well for your belly, but if you're visiting over Labour Day weekend, be sure to check out this event. It features a long harvest table filled with heirloom tomatoes for you to try. 

If Toronto's all about over-the-top soft serve in the summertime, our friends south of the border have a thing for frozen custard (yes, it's still soft serve, but it contains eggs).

Starting on June 21, we'll get to indulge too when Rita's Italian Ice opens at 347 College St.

This American chain got its start in Philadelphia and it currently has around 650 locations all across the United States. 

A post shared by Rita's Italian Ice (@ritasice) on Feb 8, 2017 at 5:00pm PST

It serves up Italian ice (like a slushy), cones and cups piled with frozen custard as well as sundaes, milk shakes and gelati — Italian ice topped with frozen custard. 

A post shared by Rita's Italian Ice (@ritasice) on Aug 11, 2016 at 5:02pm PDT

Rita's already has a location in Hamilton, and it'll also open one in Niagara Falls over the summer.

There are many remarkable travel destinations that remain somewhat hidden within a short drive of Toronto. Known primarily by locals and veteran day trippers, these places range from amazing swimming holes to epic suspension bridges. 

Located on the outskirts of Campbellford in Ferris Provincial Park, the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge is just one of this must-visit destinations. It spans 300 feet above a quick rushing section of the Trent River and offers stunning views of Northumberland County.

A post shared by Kate A (@claidy90) on Jun 11, 2017 at 11:42am PDT

As remarkable as the views are — and they really are stunning during all four seasons — the thrill of a visit to the bridge is at least partially the uneasiness that you feel when passing over it. At 30 feet of elevation above the water, you can really feel it sway beneath your feet. 

There are a few scenarios that make a trip across the bridge particularly special. Early morning summer visits when a bit of mist rises off the gorge are memorable, but it's also phenomenal place to take in fall colours in late September and early October. 

A post shared by Pure Ontario (@pureontario) on Dec 28, 2015 at 3:11pm PST

Accessing the bridge through the provincial park means you can spend much of a day in the vicinity (or even camp overnight), so it's an ideal place to plan a hike followed by a picnic near the river.

 It'll take about two hours to get to Ferris Provincial Park in decent traffic. Day use fees are required to enter the park, but it's well worth it for this unique attraction and ensures there's ample parking.

While you're in the area, make sure to explore Campbellford, which is a quaint and artsy town. 

Today in Toronto marks lots of new beginnings. Luminato 2017 kicks off under a massive circus tent in David Pecaut Square and Nuit Rose, the LGBT arts festival, launches as well. There are some great concerts and film screenings on too, so get out there.

Near the southeast corner of Dundas and Bloor there's a sprawling strip mall that's bit of an urban purgatory. It used to be home to a huge Zellers, but now a Loblaws and LCBO are the main tenants, which makes the enormous parking lot here seem almost comical in scale. 

But, as CBC reports today, this underused plaza could undergo a huge transformation because developer Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust is looking to build on the approximately 40,000 square metre space.

This follows proposals for similar grand scale projects like the redevelopment of Mirvish Village and the Galleria Mall site. While there are no formal plans in place just yet, the developer will hold a meeting tonight at 2280 Dundas St. W. to get input from the community.

Dundas & Bloor is now one of Toronto's ugliest intersections, godawful buildings on 3 corners. Hope they don't follow tradition. https://t.co/Twzqg19VQS

— John Leeson (@libyatoronto) June 14, 2017

A representative from the Choice Properties told the CBC the development would like be mixed-use, with a combination of residential, retail and commercial space.

While this would bring increased density to the area, it would also make better use of a prime piece of land right on the subway line and the UP Express.

It's a great week to be in Toronto if you like live music and staying up all night with a drink in hand. NXNE runs from June 16 to 25, and a bunch of bars across the city have be granted extended last call until 4 a.m. in honour of the occasion. 

These are the bars with extended last call in Toronto this week.

• The Baby G
• Bovine Sex Club
• Cameron House
• Cherry Cola's
• Comedy Bar
• Drake Hotel
• The Garrison
• Grace O'Malley's
• Hard Luck
• Horseshoe Tavern
• Monarch Tavern
• Nest
• Nocturne
• The Paddock
• The Painted Lady
• Rancho Relaxo
• Sneaky Dee's
• Studio Bar (June 16 only)

This represents the bars with permission to serve until 4 a.m. They don't have to exercise this right, so it's always best to call ahead to make sure.

Street festivals in Toronto this summer kick out cars and pack the pavement with musical performances, activities and in most cases, food. These events are a great way to discover a new neighbourhood and all the local flavours you didn't even know you were missing out on.