When I was looking for something like what you describe a couple years ago, my short list came down to:
Soma Fog Cutter
All City Space Horse
Twin Six Standard Rando.
I went with the Fog Cutter. Only the CF fork was available at the time, I might have gone with the steel one if I were doing it over. I like the bike a lot.
Recently, A friend got a Space Horse. Very nice bike, and the paint scheme is pretty freaking cool. Having checked hers out, I could have been happy with either frame, and cost was similar.
