ACROSS
1. <scaredy-cat> COWARD = "COWERED"
4. <antique> AGE-OLD = A GOLD outside E_
10. <contact list> ROLODEX = _OD_ inside ROLEX
11. (OAF IS)* inside MO = MAFIOSO <mobster>
12. EZ inside M ZA NINE = MEZZANINE <intermediate level>
13. <woodwinds> OBOES = "OWE BOWS"
14. L U_ DO = LUDO <game>
15. (EDITIONS* outside J) D = DISJOINTED <lacking cohesion>
18. <dignified> STAUESQUE = QUEUES* after STAT
20. <fight> SPAR = SPA + R
23. <close> TIGHT = TIG H + T
24. (...o)QUIES CENT(r...) = QUIESCENT <passive>
25. <opening> ORIFICE = IF inside OR ICE
25. CORPS, S← + IO = SCORPIO <stars>
26. <entertain> REGALE = ←LAGER← E
28. <market> PEDDLE = "PEDAL"

DOWN
1. (ITALO-AMERICANS)* = CARAMELISATION <technique for browning onions?>
2. <danced> WALTZED = W ALT ZED
3. DI inside REAL = REDIAL <ring again>
5. G (I'M ME) = GIMME <a no-brainer>
6. TOFF* O + PIC = OFF-TOPIC <irrelevant>
7. (PROUD TO)* = DROP OUT <quit early>
8. EX (BIT inside HIS) = EXHIBITS <shows>
9. _C ←E NOD TIRED IS NO← = CONSIDER IT DONE <sure thing!>
16. J_ I_ U_ J_ ITS U = JIU JITSU <method of self-defence>
17. <working with some effort> HUSTLING = SUNLIGHT*
18. EARRING* = ANGRIER <increasingly annoyed>
21. <got ingredients ready> PREPPED = PEPPER* + _D
22. AS HERO* = ASHORE <on land>
24. <suppress> QUELL = (...e)QUEL L(o...)