An excellent puzzle from this very talented setter. Getting some of the longer phrases quickly made it a faster solve than usual for me in the case of the occasional Indy setters.
Solving time: 20 mins
* = anagram < = reversed
ACROSS
1 SIDE DISH Good misdirection.
5 AB LO OM (Order of Merit) The divide between wordplay and definition is in the middle of the quote “look / out”. Some setters might not take such liberties with punctuation. ‘Look’ often gives lo (as here) or la.
13 STORE DETECTIVE (Deceiver + to test)* The aisle in the supermarket, not to the altar for a wedding.
16 WE AR (E NO T AM) USED (mat one)< This being the crossword world, my first thought on seing Victorian was ‘Australian’ but it’s from the original lady herself ( or ourselves perhaps).
20 H (AND SOME) R time = hour = hr
23 PUTS ONES FOOT IN IT Mule is a type of shoe or slipper.
24 NUDIST “Kicking one’s habit one’s habit!” Top drawer.
DOWN
1 SLAP DASH The – (dash) in the clue is part of the wordplay.
2 DRIVE HOME Superb double definition.
3 DEHISCE Hidden with the indication “cases”. A botanical term for ‘burst open’
6 BOW KNOT main = sea main pace = knot
7 OCTAL (t = time coal)*
8 M URINE Mouselike.
9 FOUR-LETTER WORD Oath has four letters.
14 VI (6 in Roman numerals) SIT (model) ANTS Misleading context of spirits.
15 I DO LA (La = Louisiana) TRY
17 (p)RESENTS Top = take the first letter off (in a down clue).
19 C (HOP IN !)
21 NOTED i.e. famous and consisting of musical notes.
Since no one has commented — let me say that I enjoyed it!
Me too – and though I failed to get ABLOOM, I appreciate with hindsight the clue’s fine construction.