I eat out (not necessary fine dining) quite often,
but HST doesn't bother me much.
For a typical Caucasian, A dinner at any upscale restaurant, food and wine
$70-100 per person, 15-25% tip, parking and baby-sitting
expenses, HST is not that significant.
For average working class, they can opt for less expensive places to save on
the lump some, or dine out less.
Dining out is not necessity , it is more of a luxary, if you take your date out for
New year eve or Valentine dinner, you don't care so much.
For myself? dining out is part of my line of work