The best surface? One that is FIRMLY supported. No surface is better than it's foundation. It should also resist damage, solvents and breaking your wallet. Glass looks pretty good and so do the cork tiles. Bare plywood looks painful by comparison.
I use an old computer desk with a pull out keyboard shelf. I have the top area covered with a large, gridded self-healing cutting mat. Although it isnt the cheapest thing on the block, I like all the scale grids and measuring sections on it and now swear by it.
I use a small piece of glass when cutting tape and to produce clean cut edges on things. I also have several small trays on the side for keeping small parts organized.
I do much of the real "work" of modelling on the pull out shelf section and I will keep my eye out for some of those cork tiles to put on this shelf. This shelf pulls right into my lap, allowing me to sit up straight in my chair and not constantly hunch over a bench top to work.
With this setup, I have mulitple surfaces and work areas in one space. Plus, I can put in-work assemblies on the shelf and push them back under the desk top out of the way until the next work session. This is a bonus, since we have CATS!!!
Another idea might be to scrounge up a piece of ribbed, hard rubber floor runner and make that a top cover. This stuff resists solvents and keeps things from rolling around or getting lost. Add a cutting mat and piece of glass and you're set.