Paris Food - From Plate to Pixel

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A new photography book was released in May, 2011, just after the return from my last trip where I spent weeks eating and photographing food.  This book has prompted me to review my food photos with a critical eye, and see what could have been done to improve the photograph. Any thoughts?

I took this one with my iPhone, which takes nice photos.  Sometimes it is uncomfortable walking in to a restaurant with a huge camera, so I need to do the best that I can with a small camera.  I took a lot of photos at this restaurant, Ebury Wine Bar, in London.  So many that the waitress came to the table after a few days and asked me if I was an industrial spy.  "No" I told her, and explained that I just took food photos so that I could talk about what was good and bad.  I did take a second photo of this dessert, a closeup of the little sprigs, but it was blurry.

I often wonder about the angle.  Should a take it from the top view? Should I take it from the side?  What about "Staging"?  I had already taken a bite from the sandwich, and a little bit of the soup, when I remembered to snap a photo.  So, this looks like I was in the middle of eating it. I was!

I also took a side photo of the one ordered by my friend.  I didn't notice how weird the pepper looked until now.  I think that I need to pay attention to these details at the time.

I have this problem often with coffee drinks.  Do I get the full effect of the design on the latte, losing the cup? 

Or do I try to capture the cup too?

Sometimes the food looks too good and I dig in.  I'm lucky if I remember to put my food down after one bite and take a photo.  I already took a bite, and played in some of the chocolate sauce, before I remembered.

So, maybe you have some tips and suggestions that you can add. Feel free to use the comment sections.
A friend of mine is a photographer, and has taken wonderful photos for a tea shop.  They are on display in the windows.   Click here to see Nick's food photos.
I also found these other books at Amazon and they provide great ideas about photography, blogging, and more.
Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Reviews, Memoir, and More (Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Blogs,)
For Food and Drink Photography (Lighting)
 Food Photography: From Snapshots to Great Shots
A Guide to Tasteful Food Blogging