I second the idea of a flat bar road bike like the trek fx or the specialized sirrus (I highly recommend the sirrus).
As for cyclocross I think that would be another good option. Check out the Specialized Tricross w/disc brakes and the Cannondale quick cx. All are great bikes and should be more of what your looking for.
P.S I wouldnt consider any of these bikes a real downgrade simply a change of bike type.