Serious Eats
Food Photography Tips for a Point and Shoot
If you're looking for a new digital camera whose features are a step above most point-and-shoots but a little below a digital SLR, Lara Ferroni of Still Life With... has some advice.
In her blog entry "The dSLR Lovers Point & Shoot," she recommends getting yourself a Canon PowerShot G7
The camera's features allow for more manual adjustments than other point-and-shoots (most important, focus, aperture, and shutter speed), and its small size compared to a digital SLR makes it easier to carry around (or be a little less conspicuous while taking photos in a restaurant). Check out her blog entry for more information and comparison shots she took with her dSLR and her G7.