Change is coming to the islands. On May 22, Paul O'Connell (Chez Henri in Cambridge) opens the Chilmark Tavern on Martha's Vineyard. The 99-seat seafooder's menu will focus on locally caught fish and dishes created with ingredients from the Vineyard's farms, while the BYO policy ought to appeal to vacationers on a budget (9 State Rd., Chilmark).
Meanwhile, Todd English is preparing to bring Figs to Nantucket. 29 Fair Street, an island landmark dating to 1709, will change its name to Figs at 29 Fair sometime this month. The restaurant will be owned and operated by the Summer House Collection in a joint partnership with English, and will offer a menu similar to the other locations but with more entree selections (29 Fair St., Nantucket).