Trek FX 7.4.*
Al frame, carbon fork, all the eyelets, including mid-fork. Decent mid-range components. Will take wide-ish tires with mild knobs, like those on the Trek DS (Dual Sport on/off bike). The disc-brake version of the FX 7.4 will push you over budget, but rim brakes work fine and keep the bike lighter -- disc brake version has alloy fork instead of carbon.
*Full disclosure: I work at a Trek shop, so I'm suggesting what I know. Pretty much every manufacturer will have a similar bike at a similar price. As long as you get a major brand bike-shop bike, brand almost doesn't matter. Spec's and colors will vary between brands; go with what you like the most. ...And that might even include the shop experience you get while buying.