OK.  I’ll admit it.  To call this a “before and after” episode is a bit misleading.  After all, the Yacht Club’s Ale & Compass Restaurant has only been open for six months or so.  To date, they’ve only served one version of short ribs.

No.  Those of you who know me will clearly understand where this piece is coming from … I had an obsession with the Captain’s Grille’s Cabernet-braised Short Rib with Creamy [Sweet Corn] Risotto.  Look at it!

Simply phenomenally delicious, my friends, for years, this was my absolute favorite meal on Disney property!  Of course, as the Compass replaced the Captain, so, also, did a new short rib replace my beloved, “hall-of-fame” caliber cabernet-braised delight.

What does the Ale & Compass have to offer, then?  Well, on our most-recent trip to “The World”, Mrs. All in WDW and I met some dear friends there for dinner.  Wanting to give Ale’s offering a chance, I ordered their Smoked Short Ribs.

Served with a Roasted Vegetable Mash and Barbecue Demi, I have to admit that they were good.  Were they cabernet-caliber?  No.  The Captain’s recipe was an A+.  This version was, at best, a B.

Having said that, the ribs were fork tender.  They tasted quite good.  Where the dish lost me, however, was with the “side”.  Laced with roasted Brussels sprouts within, the vegetable mash was acceptable but paled in comparison to the Captain’s luxurious risotto.

What’s my conclusion, you ask?  I said it a few weeks ago, I was very disappointed when Disney decided to close Captain’s Grille.  But, even I have to admit that WDW notched a ‘home run’ with the Ale & Compass refurbishment.

When it comes to their food, if you’re a fan of short ribs, I’d recommend you give Ale’s dish a try.  For myself, it had a tough act to follow.  In the days of the Captain, I would order nothing but the short rib.  At Ale, I’ll give some of their many other menu items a try.