No matter what I did, I didn't like drop bars. Flat bars however did not provide as many alternatives to the rider. Settled on a compromise that behaves like the upper half of the drops but with brakes that fit my hands more like MTB levers.

I use an aero base bar with bar end shifters and cyclocross brake levers on the ends. Pictures of this have been posted in the past.

It probably feels better to me because I ride the MTB more than 75% of the time and I wanted a similarity of control group feel.