I've been eyeing a Lemond Poprad and a Redline, which look pretty cool. I think from what you are looking for, a cross bike is a good way to go.

I have a flatbar road bike for commuting, as I wanted it for low-speed control in a city. Bar-ends were the first accessory I put on it, however, so I could have a variety of hand positions, since, yeah...a flat bar can be hard on longer rides. With the bar ends, I routinely do 40-50 miles rides without a problem. A friend of mind did a century (100 miles) on a flat bar road bike with bar ends and she had no hand problems, either. So....if you don't find a 'cross bike you like, and opt for a flatbar bike - I think bar ends are a definite "gotta have".